Band Talk is Back

Dan Belongia talks about the impact his band directors had on him throughout his career...beginning with the trombone through earning his doctorate.  His love of repertoire and the importance of having positive energy in rehearsals are things he has learned.  Today, Dan Belongia is driven to pass those traits and more on to his students in his role as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Ar...

Jerry Hoover and Herb Duncan share a story of how they met. They talk about what kept them together as friends and colleagues for over 50 years and give their thoughts on the profession. This is more than a conversation, this is a Master Class in band directing and being a success. It's a sharing of wisdom acquired over the two careers of two master teachers, two great band directors and two incre...

Dr. Karl Sievers shares insights on what he looks for in a student, how students should practice, how to overcome performance anxiety and a whole bunch more.  Pragmatic thoughts and information for teachers and students from one of the best in the business.

After teaching 42 years, Gary Brandes says "I'm not there yet!"  A life-long band director and life-long learner, Gary advises listeners that the only way for us to advance our art form is to continue to grow as musicians, as teachers and as people.  A humble professional, Brandes talks about all who have influenced him and his quest to now, pay it forward.  Sage advice from a master teacher.

Les Taylor shares stories about his life as a musician, teacher, composer, arranger and so much more.  From time he raised his hand in band to the early morning when he was awakened when the car he was riding in flooded out on the way home from a drum corps show.  Les tells great stories, provides insightful thoughts, and offers up lots of laughs in this great conversation

Jeff Conner is back, talking about what's been going on with the Boston Brass, staying connected during the pandemic and what he listens for in a piece of music.  Drew Holmes and Ward Durrett of thepodcastingstore.com share some tips to maximize your virtual experience and how teaching virtually will impact the future.

Dave Knox began as a firefighter and through the unconditional support of his wife made a career change and pursued a degree in music.  His passion for music has never wavered and today is responsible for BandDirector.com a website that is a free and incredible resource for the band profession.  But beyond that, his story is one everyone must hear - regardless of profession.  His mission is to hel...

Ken Snoeck shares his career path and offers great ideas on what teachers can do to get their programs back on track after the pandemic.  Denny Senseney talks about what kids "get" from being in band.  Great, down-to-earth advice that makes all the difference for directors and programs of all abilities and levels.

Marcellus Brown,  who has been Director of Bands at Boise State University for over 30 years, talks about growing up in Detroit and ending up in Boise, ID.  His message is simple:  "Don't have limitations....then work step by step to grow them (your students) as much as you can."  Sage advice from a Master Teacher.

Saul Friedgood, President of Eastman Music Company, shares his story from growing up in Des Moines, IA, working as an aide to some of our nation's top politicians and how that experience has helped him lead an international company.  His message of listening and making corrections, seizing opportunities as they come along and remembering that all politics is local is so relevant as we look to the...

Adam Hill, Assistant Band Director and Percussion Instructor at Romeoville HS, IL and Director of the Chicago Bulls Drum Line chats with Charlie and Adam's college percussion instructor Kevin Lepper about motivating students and how he keeps all the plates spinning.  A fascinating conversation with a young, energetic teacher who has all his priorities in the right place.

Dr. Tim and Charlie talk about life after Covid and about the 2020 Virtual Midwest Clinic.  Rick Coulter, retired Supervisor of Fine Arts for Williamsport, PA offers practical and proven ways to advocate for your program.

Eric Tinkler and Dr. Philip Payne of Kansas State University talk about their  Not Your Forte podcast designed to help music education majors and young teachers on a variety of subjects.

From how he got the name "Doc" to playing on a bugle without a mouthpiece, Doc Severinsen's career is one built on hard work and an understanding that you just have to do the job...which means, you had better practice and get your act together.   This conversation sheds great light on why Doc is the greatest trumpet artist of all time.  His trumpet artistry and showmanship is only outdone by his h...

Timothy Mahr began writing music to impress a girl but that didn't go very well.  Fortunately, he didn't give up writing music and today remains one of the most refreshing voices for the band world.  From composing new music to teaching composition at St. Olaf to directing the band, this conversation sheds insight into the talents he shares with his students and the respect he gives to all who hav...

Alex Kaminsky is Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL.   Alex shares his journey, his mission to prepare great music teachers through his work and why VanderCook is such a special place to learn how to become a music teacher.

Marcia Neel talks about the Music Achievement Council and the First Performance National Day of Celebration.  Cheryl Floyd talks about finding her voice as a teacher and making music a special experience for her students.  

Col. Larry H. Lang grew up in El Paso, TX and played trombone in both a garage rock band and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra.  He never dreamed that he would spend 29 years in the United States Air Force and 26 of those as Commander and Conductor of an Air Force Band.  Col. Lang talks about how music brings people together and what advice he would offer our next President.

Reginald Wright grew up in South Carolina and his career path took him to Proviso East High School in suburban Chicago, a few miles west of downtown.  There he created a program that changed lives.  He gave his students a reason to be there and band became the best part of their lives and the reason many of them attended high school.  Reggie is a professional who never made excuses and always saw...

Elizabeth Jackson Kirchhoff is a high school band director at Eden Prairie HS, MN who epitomizes the joy of being a band director.  With contagious enthusiasm, Liz recalls teaching music in a town of 300 and now a high school of over 3,000.  Though there are many differences, some things don't change regardless of where and who we teach.  This is an inspirational conversation that will make you gl...

George Quinlan, Jr. is President of Quinlan and Fabish Music Company in Burr Ridge, IL.  In their 61st year of servicing the needs of band and orchestra directors and their students, Q and F is the crowned-jewel of school band and orchestra dealers.  With 9 locations, 25 road reps and over 50 technicians, they are a vital link in the recruitment and retention process for the schools they serve.  G...

Donald Stinson is the 5th director in the Joliet (IL) High School Band's 108 year history.  Here is a young man with a passion to influence his students' lives through music and the rich traditions that made Joliet one of America's finest band programs.  Don's story is one of growing up in Joliet with some of the same struggles his students face today, but he refuses to let them be excuses. Don St...

As Paula Crider quit her high school basketball team she was handed a trumpet and a career in music followed.  After seven days of student teaching she became the school band director.  Paula talks about her days of growing up in Mississippi to becoming director of the University of Texas Longhorn Marching Band.  A past president of the National Band Association and American Bandmasters Associatio...

Growing up the son of a dance band drummer, Michael Daugherty would walk to the library to check out record albums to try and figure out what the jazz greats were playing. From there he got thrown out of band for improvising his timpani parts. Today, he is one of the world's most prolific composers for all musical genres. Michael shares his story in a fascinating conversation that will give you gr...

Cornelius Young teaches 4-8 band at Green Hedges School in Vienna, VA.  Dr. Richard Miles is the retired Director of Bands at Morehead State University in Kentucky and the man who compiled and edited the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band book series.  Though different stories to tell, there is a common thread these two directors share...they turned the inspiration others gave them into a...