SoundstageEDU: Building Better Theater Tech

Fine arts programs live and die by their boosters—but most parent leaders are asked to manage thousands of dollars, dozens of volunteers, and critical fundraising events with no training . That ends now. In this episode of the SoundstageEDU Podcast, Mike introduces a brand-new initiative: Booster Clinics & Mentorships. These sessions are designed to give parent organizations the same level of...

Every performer knows the feeling — your chest tightens, your hands shake, and the crowd suddenly feels bigger than the band itself. Nerves can be overwhelming, but they don’t have to control you. In this Rest Stop, Mike from SoundstageEDU shares practical ways to turn performance anxiety into fuel: breathing techniques, anchoring with your section, and reframing nerves as excitement instead of fe...

In the grind of marching season, it feels like every second has to be filled with work — late-night rehearsals, endless planning, constant booster duties. But here’s the truth: rest isn’t wasted time. Rest is part of the practice. In this Rest Stop, Mike from SoundstageEDU shares why students, parents, and directors all need to stop seeing rest as weakness and start seeing it as strength. From bet...

In this episode of SoundstageEDU , we cover everything you need to know to prepare for marching band and fine arts contests . Whether you’re a student gearing up to perform , a parent experiencing your first contest day , a director managing behavior and logistics , or a booster keeping the whole machine running , this is your complete contest survival guide. We’ll talk about: ✅ What students can...

Friday night football + marching band = excitement, chaos, and a whole lot of moving parts. From uniforms and instruments to booster tables and concession stands, game night can feel overwhelming for parents and boosters. In this Rest Stop, Mike from SoundstageEDU offers a quick reset: your job isn’t to make it perfect — it’s to be present. Learn why letting go of the chaos, cheering in the stands...

In this Sound Off episode of SoundstageEDU , Mike tackles one of the most controversial band stories to hit the headlines: a high school marching band banned from playing at a football game who decided to show up with kazoos instead. At first glance, it’s funny. But dig deeper, and it reveals a serious cultural problem in band, booster, and parent communities. What message are we sending our stude...

Before the first note sounds, your posture is already sending a message. Are you locked in and ready — or checked out and sloppy? In this Rest Stop, Mike from SoundstageEDU digs into why posture and presence matter so much in music education. From drumline to concert band, the way you stand, breathe, and carry yourself shapes not only how others see you, but how you actually perform. 🎶 For studen...

Being clean, throwing down licks, and flexing chops doesn’t mean much if you can’t master the basics: showing up on time. In this Rest Stop, Mike from SoundstageEDU speaks directly to drumline students about why punctuality isn’t just about rules — it’s about respect. Respect for your section, for your staff, and for the standard you claim to represent. 🎶 For drumline culture, time is trust. Ever...

When nearly $39,000 was stolen from the Southaven High School Band Boosters by their own treasurer, the kids were left paying the price. Fundraisers, car washes, concessions—all that sweat equity gone in an instant. In this SoundstageEDU Emergency Episode , we dig into: How embezzlement like this happens inside booster clubs Why checks and balances are non-negotiable for band, choir, theater, and...

Silence isn’t empty — it’s powerful. In this Rest Stop, Mike from SoundstageEDU explores how the quiet moments in rehearsal teach discipline, focus, and respect. For students, silence signals readiness and deep listening. For directors, it’s a cultural shift that elevates the entire ensemble. And for everyone involved in music education, it’s a reminder that the rests between the notes matter just...

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) doesn’t treat the arts as “extras.” It defines music, theater, dance, and visual arts as core subjects —right alongside math and science. That means arts education is a federal requirement , not a luxury to be cut when budgets get tight. In this Sound Off episode of SoundstageEDU , Mike DeJohn goes unfiltered and uncompromising. Why are so many schools ignorin...

Marching season is chaos — rehearsals, late-night pickups, uniforms, booster duties, and everything in between. If you’re a parent feeling stretched thin, this Rest Stop is your reminder: you don’t have to do it perfectly. What matters most isn’t flawless meals, spotless homes, or perfect schedules — it’s your presence. Being in the stands. Asking how rehearsal went. Showing up, even when you’re t...

Tired of low-yield car washes? In Part 1 of this 4-episode mini-series, Mike breaks down three high-margin, community-centric fundraisers you can run this quarter— Reverse Raffle Gala Night , Silent Disco , and Singing Valentines/Musical-Grams . You’ll get clear steps, effort/risk notes, pricing ideas, and plug-and-play sales scripts you can read at a booster meeting, post on Facebook, or deliver...

Some mornings, the alarm goes off and the last thing you want is rehearsal. The bed feels warmer, the grind feels heavier, and you start wondering if showing up even matters. In this Rest Stop, Mike from SoundstageEDU breaks down the truth: it’s not just about willpower — it’s about remembering why you get up. From showing up for your section, to finding one small thing to look forward to, to rede...

Percussionists deserve more than crash cymbals and counting rests. In this Rest Stop, Mike unpacks why percussion ensembles aren’t just an “extra,” but a core part of building real musicianship. From the infamous North by Northwest bass drum part to a life-changing performance of Maslanka’s Crown of Thorns, this episode calls out the gaps in band literature — and challenges directors, parents, and...

In this special Rest Stop episode, Mike pulls back the curtain on why SoundstageEDU exists and why he refuses to stop fighting for kids in the fine arts. From the toxic culture of ego in drumline and marching band programs, to the heartbreaking stories of students trapped by mediocrity, Mike shares raw and unfiltered experiences that fuel his mission. You’ll hear about the “grandma’s drumline” sto...

Being a booster isn’t just about fundraising or concession stands—it’s about heart, connection, and creating life-changing moments for students in the arts. In this lighter, story-filled episode of SoundstageEDU , Mike shares funny, uplifting booster stories (like the “Popcorn MVP” and “Dad Chanel”) alongside the deeper psychology behind why adult presence matters so much in a student’s life. From...

In this episode of SoundstageEDU , Mike shares a transparent update on where the podcast and community are headed. For years, he’s poured countless hours into supporting students, parents, and directors in the arts through free resources, mentorship, and behind-the-scenes advocacy. Now it’s time to build support systems to keep this work sustainable. Mike discusses the realities of balancing famil...

Thousands of miles, airports, truck-stop snacks, and hotel coffee later—I’m back with stories from the road. In this update, I share how I met Drum Corps International’s official weatherman (yes, the guy who sets the rules when storms roll in), and how I hilariously realized I was already friends with him on social media. We’ll dive into future plans for an episode on heat prep, weather safety, an...

Tired of low-margin car washes and bake sales? In this SoundstageEDU Booster Series will be for you. In this episode, we breakdown sponsorships and how to make them work. In the future, we will break down high-margin, community-centric fundraisers that actually work for marching band, choir, orchestra, theater, and guard programs. We dig into real-world ideas, pricing, expected yields, volunteer l...

The Cost of Cutting the Arts — Why Fine Arts Funding Isn’t a “Nice to Have,” It’s a Must-Have Administrators, board members, and band/choir/theatre parents—this is the episode. We unpack what really happens when schools cut arts education : student engagement drops, attendance slips, discipline spikes, and campus culture weakens. We connect the dots between band, choir, theatre, visual art and out...

What does it really take to thrive inside the drumline? In this episode of the SoundstageEDU Podcast, Mike DeJohn dives deep into the drumline mentality—the mix of discipline, grit, teamwork, and focus that separates good percussionists from great ones. Whether you’re a marching band student, a drum corps rookie, a high school percussionist, or a band director trying to build culture, this convers...

Every booster group starts strong, but how do you make sure the momentum doesn’t fade after one season—or after the same five parents burn out? In this third episode of the Booster Culture Series, we dig into how to create booster organizations that are strong, healthy, and built to last. You’ll learn: ✅ Why booster traditions are the glue that keeps parents coming back ✅ How to shift from “the...

🎙️ No More Gloves: Not Just Nerd Stuff This drop-in episode is raw, unfiltered, and straight from the gut. I’m done being quiet about how marching band, theater, choir, and orchestra get dismissed as “nerd stuff” or “just a hobby.” In this episode, I call out the culture that devalues fine arts, share the stories of kids whose parents don’t show up, and lay out why these programs matter more than...

Why do some booster clubs thrive while others struggle to get volunteers? The difference often comes down to one thing: the invitation. In this episode of the Booster Culture Series, we go deep into the art of inviting parents to join your music, choir, theater, and marching band booster organizations. Drawing from principles used in corporate sales and volunteer recruitment, you’ll learn: ✅ How...