Band Director Boot Camp

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, your host Lesley Moffat is joined by Jessica Hesselstein, a seasoned band director with 25 years of experience. Jessica shares invaluable insights on how to optimize lesson planning and classroom management for busy band directors. These productivity and wellness tips are designed to help you maintain a strong music program while enjoying more time for y...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat is joined by Sarah Green, a middle school band director with over a decade of experience. They discuss the importance of organizational strategies for music educators and how these strategies can be applied to various teaching situations. Sarah shares her journey into becoming a band director and the inspiration behind creating her web...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, your host Lesley Moffat interviews Wendy Reeves, a veteran band director with 30 years of experience in middle school and high school band programs. Wendy shares her journey and the pivotal moment that led her to reevaluate her work-life balance. She discusses her strategies for staying organized, maintaining a healthy work environment, and utilizing tec...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, your host Lesley Moffat is joined by Patrick J Harris, a passionate band director with a wealth of experience. They discuss four essential tips that have helped Patrick maintain his well-being and find balance in the demanding world of being a band director.

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, your host Lesley Moffat welcomes guest Jim Evans, a retired band director with 30 years of experience. Jim is also a composer and runs summer music programs. He shares a wealth of resources for band directors, focusing on beginning bands, solo and ensemble pieces, and pep band arrangements. Lesley and Jim discuss the challenges faced by band directors an...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat delves into the remarkable journey of Mark L Caspersen, the inventor of Tuner Caddy. This innovative device has revolutionized the way band directors approach tuning and teaching. Lesley discusses the transformation from initial frustration with falling tuners to the creation of a practical solution that promotes focused listening and...

🎶 Hey Band Director Boot Camp fam! Lesley Moffat here, and I've got something special for you. After 60+ episodes of jam-packed wisdom, I'm hitting pause to share some gold nuggets that keep resurfacing from our incredible guests. Trust me, you don't want to miss this episode. 🎶 Why? Because I'm diving into the top two secrets that seasoned band directors swear by for a thriving, balanced career...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Jimmy Day, a 14-year middle school band director and the 2023 Colorado Teacher of the Year. Jimmy shares his personal journey of finding a healthier balance between his work and family life, which has led to improved relationships and a renewed passion for teaching. He offers three valuable tips for fellow band directors str...

In this episode, host Lesley Moffat interviews Leslie Rubio, an experienced band director, about her strategies for motivating and engaging students in the classroom. Leslie Rubio shares three tips that have helped her create a student-centered learning environment and foster student ownership of their progress. She discusses the use of goal charts, a gamification approach, and the elimination of...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Mr. Ken Kelly, a band director with a unique teaching situation. Ken shares two productivity tips that have helped him manage his busy schedule and support his students effectively. The first tip is about using centralized lesson plans with embedded links to various resources. Ken discusses how this system helps him stay org...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Dr. Angela Ammerman, a music education professor, author, clinician, conductor, and host of the podcast "Music Ed Love." Dr. Ammerman shares her insights on successfully building and retaining students in music programs, drawing from her own experiences and the advice of teachers across different environments. She emphasizes...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Sandy Osborne, a band director who shares her strategies for motivating students through choice and gamification. Sandy discusses her approach to student engagement, incorporating elements such as rewards, personal choice, and game-like features into the band curriculum. She highlights the benefits of this approach, includin...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Alejandro Gonzalez, a band director specializing in percussion. Alejandro shares three practical and helpful resources he has created for band directors: "Note Naming for Musicians," "Scale Sequences for Percussion," and "10 Daily Drills for Percussion." He explains how these resources can be used to teach note reading, scal...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Cynthia Navarro, a band director from Portland, OR. Cynthia shares her personal experiences and strategies for not taking things personally in the classroom. She discusses her motivation for becoming a band director, the challenges she faced during a difficult transition, and how she learned to handle negative comments from...

In this episode, host Lesley Moffat interviews Ashley Wurtz, a band director from Texas, about the importance of work-life balance and wellness in the demanding field of music education. Ashley shares her personal journey of realizing the need for balance and intentionally working towards it as a single mother and dedicated band director. They discuss the challenges faced by band directors and the...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Krystal Williams, a former band director turned professor and general music teacher. Krystal shares her journey from being a student in band to becoming a band director, highlighting the impact music had on her life during a difficult time. She then discusses the challenges she faced when transitioning from middle school to...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Brenda Winkle, a music teacher with 26 years of experience, who is also an educator, healer, and guide. Brenda shares her journey of discovering the power of breathwork and its positive impact on stress management. She explains how implementing breathwork techniques in her classroom helped her and her students find calmness...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Andrea Brannman, a middle school band director with 10 years of experience. Andrea shares her journey towards finding a healthier and happier approach to her profession, emphasizing the importance of wellness and building relationships with colleagues. She discusses the challenges she faced in her early years, including burn...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat is joined by Jordan Sawyer, a seasoned band director with 12 years of experience primarily in middle school education. Jordan shares his innovative approach to managing solo and ensemble performances, which has led to significant growth and success in his program. He discusses the importance of student ownership, the use of structured...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat talks with Edwin Powell, Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Pacific Lutheran University. Edwin shares his insights on how to build a supportive culture within a band program, the importance of delegating tasks, and the necessity of maintaining personal wellness as a band director. He also discusses the importance of adaptabili...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, we sit down with Jessica Kindschi Walter, a band director, department head, and mother of two. Jessica shares her strategies for maximizing productivity at school, allowing her to dedicate time and energy to her family at home. She discusses the power of checklists, time management, and the importance of starting tasks, even if they can't be completed in...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat sits down with Dr. Matthew Arau, author of "Upbeat Mindset: Mindfulness and Leadership in Music, Education and Beyond." Dr. Arau shares his insights on maintaining a positive mindset amidst the challenges of being a band director. He discusses the concept of an "upbeat mindset," focusing on solutions rather than problems, and the impor...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes retired band director Laura Estes to discuss the challenges of being a busy band director and how to handle unexpected situations. Laura shares her experiences and insights from her 36-year teaching career, emphasizing the importance of expecting the unexpected and being prepared with contingencies. She also talks about her jo...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Brian Koreski, a legendary band director with 40 years of teaching experience. Brian shares his wisdom on prioritizing happiness and balance in a demanding profession. He emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself and setting boundaries to maintain personal well-being. Brian's formula for prioritization involves foc...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Adrian Gordon, a highly sought-after music educator and author of the book "Note to Self." Adrian shares his insights and experiences on transitioning into a new music teaching position smoothly. They discuss the importance of getting others on board with your vision, embracing change within oneself, and practical tips for t...