The Growing Band Director

A re-release from a 2023 episode - we share charts that you can use during the holiday season - now or in the future to help your group swing! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will h...

Nick Pierce joins the show as we discuss some of the history of Japanese wind band music, as well and aspects of the Japanese culture that helps them excel. We also listen to five pieces from the Japanese wind band canon you could do with your school band! Grades 1-5 To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using...

Ever wonder what traits would make a great bass player for your band? Ever wonder what tools would help YOU teach your bass player at a higher level, even if they are a total beginner? In this episode Nick Pierce give valuable advice on what to look for in a bass player, methods to help them develop, brands of basses and amps for every program, and much more! Full Bass-ics From the Self-Taught Bas...

Hear from one of todays best composers for young jazz band. We talk about ways to have a successful jazz program including advice on set up, improvisation, music selection and much more! We also hear 5 of his amazing charts with score and sound! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top...

Band directors have a tremendous amount of influence on their program. This episode is an in detail story of how Kyle and Jeff got connected, and the impact one person can have on a career. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com Our mission is to share p...

Trae Blanco is the Director of Bands at Butler University, and joins the show to discuss some practical conducting challenges and solutions to help you become the best conductor for your students. Look Like Their Sound - Presentation Carl St. Clair Ted Talk - Innovation Whispers To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Pat...

Kyle sits down with fellow band podcaster Rob Hammerton for a session that is also available, in part, on his podcast Bandwagon. We have a talk that includes information on both podcasts, what brought each of us to hosting a band podcast, and helpful tips on improving as a band director. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the sh...

We often teach our students to follow directions to a point where they produce quality performances, but could we do anything different as band directors to help our students be more independent? Scott Jones joins the show to discuss! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrow...

A poorly set up guitar or guitar amp can ruin the sound of any band! In this episode you will learn from a veteran band director and guitar player what sort of guitars and amps will work best for your situation, as well as tips to help your guitar players work within your rhythm section to enhance what is happening in your band already! Teaching Guitar in the Classroom Jazz Chord Voicings Basic Ch...

Tim Hendrix is the band director at Bentonville HS (AR) and gives us some details and processes on how to set goals for your program, what is beneficial to focus on and what isn't, and ways to enjoy the journey we are all on! 1% Better - Creating Small Habits for Better Results To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on...

Do you treat all ensembles with equal importance? Do all students receive the same care of instruction and similar performance opportunities? Will Parker is the Associate Director of Bands and Bainbridge HS in Bainbridge, GA and he joins the show to share strategies around this very topic. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the...

Legendary retired band director Joel Denton (Ooltawah HS, TN) joins the show to discuss the biggest task of a band director - creating a continuing, or perennial, culture in your band. Through his time as a band director (37 years) he learned many ways to grow the culture in his bands, and shares how his collaboration with some of the great band directors in history helped form the culture at Oolt...

Clark Terry was the most influencial jazz educator in history, and his music and message are being kept alive by Chris Humphrey in his albums The Voice of Clark Terry Vol 1 and Vol 2. These albums take the solos and melodies of Clark Terry and put them to lyrics (by lyricist Les Harris Jr.) and recorded by a world class rhythm section and 7 trumpet players that Clark Terry had an impact on. This d...

Kyle's high school band director, mentor and friend, Craig Skeffington is known worldwide as a composer of great jazz ensemble music. Craig sits down to share some of his charts (complete with score and sound.). We also have a wide ranging conversation covering topics from starting at a program as a new teacher, to using your own personal strengths as your best way to model for your students,...

Anne and Ben Chambers are a husband/wife team of band directors who co-teach grades 7-12 at Light of Christ Catholic Schools in Bismark, ND. They join Kyle and Krystle (also a husband and wife team of band directors) for a conversation surrounding co-teaching, balancing teaching with being a parent, running a cohesive program that spans multiple schools, and so much more! To gain access to all sho...

Travis Weller (Messiah University) is a composer and educator. He joins the show to share so much wisdom for our profession, and we listen to some of his spectacular music that you can perform with your students. Travis J Weller To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingban...

Joe Wright has taught every grade of music from K-Collegiate. He joins the show for a conversation about his choice to be an elementary band director - why this choice is right for him - and qualities that are needed to be a teacher of elementary band. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at...

Rick Stitzel is one of the best writers and arrangers for jazz ensemble that we have. He joins the show to share his experiences and charts. Featured are arrangements of great standard tunes for your jazz ensemble as well as original works available through ⁠ Rickstitzelmusic.com⁠ To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on P...

Philip Walters is a middle school band director in Anchorage, Alaska. He joins the show to discuss the age level that is middle school - how to teach them and what to expect from them. As a Make Music Cloud user (formally known as Smart Music) he walks us through ways that he uses it with his classroom. A wide ranging conversation covering so many band topics! To gain access to all show notes and...

A veteran teacher and mentor to many in Fairfax County (VA) and beyond, Linda Gammon joins the show to unpack some of the keys to help your young band sound truly superior! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com Our mission is to share practical  advice...

Rob Westerberg appeared on the show in 2023 in an episode entitled 98 - Teaching Analytically where he discusses the benefits of teaching your students to think analytically. This time he returns to unpack even more from this approach, as well as discuss the role of conductor vs teacher and so many ways we can grow as music teachers. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscrib...

From Bossa and Samba to Cha Cha Cha, Bolero, Rumba, Mambo, Son Montuno and Merengque Michele Fernandez joins us to help band directors teach Afro-Latin Jazz Music more effectively. We learn which countries each style originates from, study characteristics in each one, and listen to examples from Michele's music. This episode is also available in short segments by style on The Growing Band Dire...

Every band program has every level of musician and engagement within the student body. The best way to engage the most amount of students at a high level is to offer a wide range of ensembles within your program to cater to every type of student in your band program. Eddie Otto teaches at Unionville HS (PA) and shares his vision and what led him to these core beliefs. To gain access to all show no...

Whether you are starting your band director career, or it is your first year at a new school, there are many challenges - as well as opportunities - that come with it. Reed Bailey ( baileyr@vailschooldistrict.org ) is the Director of Bands at Cienega High School (AZ) and shares many strategies to maximizing the potential within your new program! Stay tuned to the end where Kyle and Reed both share...

The music of Duke Ellington is not only some of the best American music in history, it is filled with soulfulness and sophistication. It is available to students with very little experience. In working on this music your students will be studying history, studying music and studying some of the best of humanity. Each piece includes a recording, and for those watching - a score and sound video - as...