Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band

Are there times in your career when it's best to move forward without asking permission? Yes, but do it cautiously.   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.   www.jamesdivine.net   Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal   Ca...

Recently I competed in a triathlon. It consisted of a 1/2 mile swim, 17.2 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile run. I learned several lessons that also apply to teaching music: Pace Yourself Take care of yourself Realize Your Weaknesses and Adapt Finish Well Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of S...

There are things we learn by experience the hard way. You can be ahead of me and others by learning them through my experience.   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.   www.jamesdivine.net   Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount?...

I like to tell my students that it's easy to get an A in band, but it's not an easy A. An easy A means you get it just for showing up. Easy to get an A means you will work for it, but there's no reason you shouldn't be able to earn one.   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topi...

It takes just as much work to take a band from a 1 to a 7 as it does to take a band from a 9 to a 9.2, but the director of the latter will probably get more recognition. That's just a fact of life. Don't let that deter you from being persistent and continually working to improve. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail....

It's so easy to become jealous of other directors. I struggled with this for many years. I finally stopped (mostly) about 5 years ago. Here's hoping this will help you stop now. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics. www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you...

Having both beginners and intermediate students in the same class at the same time is not ideal, but it can be done. In this epiosde I share some tips on how you can make it work. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week Subscribe...

When suggesting reeds for sax and clarinet players, should you choose Vandoren, Rico, some other brand? What strength reed should you start students on? What reed should you avoid? More tips on How To Prevent Your Saxes From Sounding Like Honking Geese Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. Get my...

Do you struggle with staying organized? In this episode, I share some strategies that may be helpful... Creat a Beginning of Year Task List Aim for inbox zero Binders and clipboards are your friend And more... Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours Thi...

Remember Nancy Reagan's theme from the 1980s to Just Say No to drugs? She was made fun of, but it is an effective strategy. You may not struggle with drugs, but I bet you do struggle with saying no! When you say yes youre saying no to something else. Many miss the great doing the good Say NO to overtime so you can say YES to your family Say NO to overeating so you can say YES to a better quality l...

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...

You have got to listen to this fantastic interview with Scott Watson! Scott is an experienced music teacher and composer. Besides his wonderful works like "Aesop's Fables: The Tortoise and the Hare, Extraordinary Machines of Clockwork and Steam," and more, Scott has created tons of FREE resources to aid in your teaching. Check out his works and his free materials at www.scottwatsonmusic.com  

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...

Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Music   Multitude of links and resources here   Has the show ben...

Join me as I interview music educator and author Adrian Gordon.   Adrian is the author of "Note To Self: A Music Director's Guide for Transitioning to a New School and Building a Thriving Music Program. Order the book and find out more about Adrian at www.adriangordonmusic.com .    He and I had a great time discussing the issues transitioning directors face. His book is full of practical wisdom yo...

www.jamesdivine.net Here are a few things I have learned about selecting music for wind band… Ability Level of the Ensemble You Direct:  A piece of music may be the greatest creation ever made, but if it is too difficult for the students to play, they will become discouraged. I often made the mistake of selecting literature that was too difficult in the early years of my career. Does this mean tha...

www.jamesdivine.net Have you ever had a teacher say or do something that had a huge impact on you for your entire life? I have had many of these opportunities.   Some teachers affect you in a negative way. I've had my share of those. Most of my teachers had huge, positive impacts on my life. My seventh grade band teacher was one of them.   I went to a rough school in seventh grade. Remember tube s...

There are four key areas that – if you focus on these and make them a priority – they can help you be a better band director. None of them have anything to do with music, but the word "BAND" does fall nicely into place to help you remember them.   B-Bread   Watch what you eat! When life gets busy, it can be very easy to grab something to go. I once was 30 pounds heavier than I am right now, all du...

Have you ever looked into a software management system for your band, one that can help you track inventory, budgets, uniforms, finances, lockers, ensemble lists and more? If so, you know how expensive it can be. Husband and wife team Jennifer (band teacher) and Kris (software developer) have joined forces to create an inexpensive solution for you. Their Baton Sync software is just $20 per month (...

This episode is sponsored by Adulting 101: Why Don't They Teach That in School? Get free lessons and find out more at www.adulting411.net .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Mus...

This episode is sponsored by Adulting 101: Why Don't They Teach That in School? Get free lessons and find out more at www.adulting411.net .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Mus...

This episode is sponsored by Adulting 101: Why Don't They Teach That in School? Get free lessons and find out more at www.adulting411.net .   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5 Hours This Week and Every Week   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Subscribe in iTunes     Free Smooth Jazz Mus...