The Growing Band Director

Kyle had the distinct PLEASURE of sitting down with Nick Mainella from the  @10minutejazzlesson79  Podcast and had a discussion about what makes great band directors, an approach to soloing over the blues that ISN'T the blues scale, getting students to feel comfortable improvising, the importance of listening to music with your students and much, much more. To gain access to all show notes and aud...

While at the Midwest Band Clinic we sat down for spontaneous conversations with music educators in person at the Exceclia Music Booth. In this episode we connect with Jackson Smith (WI) about some things that are happening in both of our bands right now (also from Ep. 118 Percussion for the Non Percussionist.) To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and con...

Order Your Copy Today https://forms.gle/7k6uKdhFPcWzsSNE9 Love Song is a dedication to my wife and children. Becoming a husband and father changes a person, and this piece is a natural outgrowth of that process in my life. Love Song is a slow 6/8 piece i n C minor that follows a very simple form and uses some extended harmonies, allowing students to play triple meter a t a slower tempo, while expl...

Lexie Signor , an acclaimed trumpet player and educator joins the show to help non-jazz educators who need to are now teaching jazz, plus ideas to help with the development of your trumpet players. 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...

In this Saturday Throwback: Learn from two MASTER TEACHERS!   In this Episode we hang - Middle School style!  Two of the best middle school teachers you can find, Krystle Smith and Jean Quinn, are the life of the party and we born to teach middle school band!  You will love their stories, tips for teaching, and real life lessons they learned and want to pass on to you! This is definitely the most...

While at the Midwest Band Clinic we sat down for spontaneous conversations with music educators in person at the Exceclia Music Booth. In this episode we connect with Larry Clark, composer and owner of Excelcia Music, as well as composer/educators Tony Susi (also from episodes 88 and 174) and Steven Rosenhaus. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and con...

Joshua Wine is the Director of Bands at Auburn Junior High School in Auburn, Alabama. He joins the show to share helpful insights to programming for your band, as well as specific examples that he has had success with. Joshua Wine's Programming Handout⁠ ⁠ Suggested Repertoire for Developing Band⁠ GBDPlaylists of Programming Examples⁠ The Growing Band Director Podcast Composer Interview Series⁠ (30...

While at the Midwest Band Clinic we sat down for spontaneous conversations with music educators in person at the Exceclia Music Booth. In this episode we connect with Jared Cassedy, Grammy Music Educator winner (MA) and Elisa Janson Jones from The Music Teacher Guild. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - usin...

Mike Collins Dowden is a beginning band teacher as well as published composer of jazz and concert music. Hear his story on how he started writing for his students, and the encouragement for teachers to do the same. Hear practical ways and reasons to arrange music for your students. We also listen to five of his pieces for jazz and concert band with score and sound! The Overlooked Rewards of Compos...

Whatever your teaching situation, exposing your students to time signatures other than 4/4 is essential. In this episode we explore five 6/8, cut time and multi-meter pieces that do just that, in a fun and audience-friendly way that your students will love! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the butto...

Chris Sharp is a composer and arranger out of Virginia and has works for concert and jazz band published with many companies. He also has his own company, Csharpmusic.net and he joins the show with advice for band directors and to discuss 5 of his works for Grades 2-4. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - usi...

Don Zentz has been teaching for 40 years and is taking Douglas Anderson School for the Arts to Midwest in 2024. He also serves on the Midwest Clinic Board, so he is the perfect guest to have on leading up to Midwest 2024! Check out zentz.org - where you will find his full repertoire list, and many other resources for teachers, including presentations he has done at midwest and other conferences ov...

Ryan Johnstone is the Band Director at Rouse High School in Leeander ISD, TX and he joins the show to discuss the upcoming performance at Midwest with his students. He gives insight to the selection process, the requirements of a progam that might participate in Midwest, as well as the program his students will be performing on Thursday, Dec 19 at 3pm. To gain access to all show notes and audio fi...

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...