The Growing Band Director

Mark Spede of Clemson University has been at the center of many aspects of the college band world for over 20 years. In this episode he gives details on what makes the Clemson program successful - and applying them to your own band program. He discusses crafting cultere, having your own philosophy, conducting to help your band reach it's greatest success, exercise and nutrition science and som...

Part 3 of a 6 part Thursday Series to start 2024 - Members of the GBD Podcast chime in with great pieces to use with your band for Concert Band Festival! Broken up into March Selection- Lyric Selection - Final Selection , here are nine pieces in the Grade 1 Category that your band could use at the next festival! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and c...

One of the nation's top leadership coaches, Bobby Lambert sits down to discuss leadership, and how to start your students on the leadership journey; what to look for when choosing leaders, characteristics of a good leader, and so much more. Detailing his work at two of the nation's premiere high school bands - Marian Catholic HS (Ill.) and Wando HS (SC) - and the mentorship he received alo...

Part 2 of a 6 part Thursday Series to start 2024 - Members of the GBD Podcast chime in with great pieces to use with your band for Concert Band Festival! Broken up into March Selection- Lyric Selection - Final Selection , here are nine pieces in the Grade 2 Category that your band could use at the next festival! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and c...

Kyle is recording his band for the Essentially Ellington festival and reached out to Aaron Bush to learn his methods for recording the Foxboro HS Jazz Ensemble. Of course, this turns into a conversation about soulfulness, highlighting your band's strengths, and growing it's weaknesses. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting...

Part 1 of a 6 part Thursday Series to start 2024 - Members of the GBD Podcast chime in with great pieces to use with your band for Concert Band Festival! Broken up into March Selection- Lyric Selection - Final Selection , here are nine pieces in the Grade 1 Category that your band could use at the next festival! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and c...

Recently retired Director of Bands and Vista Ridge (TX) High School Bryan Christian joins us to discuss SLAM (Servant Leadership Association for Music) and how to create a Culture of Service, Excellence and Family in Your Band Program this coming year. 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...

Jeff Smith, Co-host of The GBD Podcast and legendary band director, left a mark on all he taught. In this episode we discuss his legacy, and the power that a strong mentor can have on your life. 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 growingband.com Our mission is to share practic...

A step by step, fundamentals based approach to making your band sound amazing! With 31 years of proven experience, Rachel Maxwell (Traughber MS, Oswego, Ill.) shares her approach that has helped countless teachers improve their ensemble's sound. Now brought directly to you! Developing Your Ensemble's Sound Slide Deck To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the...

In a joint podcast of The Growing Band Director Podcast and the Everything Band Podcast - we cover the realistic workload of a band director - dealing with SEL struggles - tips for rehearsing and conducting your band - ways to teach your students to listen in rehearsal, and much more! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show...

As a leader in the field of front ensemble composition and education, Lee Allman joins the show to share many of the things that help his students at Avon HS, Ind, as well as many other places, become the best performers they can be. Avon Front Ensemble Warm Up Packet Tips on arranging, instrumentation, technique, warm ups and so much more! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please S...

Learn some of the common threads that every program can use to grow - no matter the size or ability level. In this episode we get an inside preview from Thomas Turpin of Westwood High School. Westwood HS (Austin, TX) is a 6A school that attended BOA Super Regionals in St Louis, and is now preparing for their feature performance at the Midwest Clinic 2023. To gain access to all show notes and audio...

Hear from two members, Laurie Ellis and Jen Fletcher, of the Band Directors Marching Band fresh off their performance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! 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 growingband.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that...

There are positives, negatives and everything in between when you teach in a small school! Hear about some of the secrets to a sustained career and quality band program in a small school setting from a veteran teacher with tons of insight to share! 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...

Few people enter your life and alter it's course. Jeff Smith was this for thousands of people, including myself. 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 growingband.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter yo...

Meet one of the most popular composers, hear his story, and study 5 of his selected works with him! Teaching Tone Playlist Tyler's Website 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 growingband.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will help every b...

Dan's story helps highlight why fitness of all kinds is so important for band directors, and will help you avoid the traps many have fallen into. Recordings help demonstrate some great literature you can play with your band from Canadian Composers - Ryan Meeboer, Matt Neufeld, Bill Thomas, Kenley Kristofferson and Pete Meechan. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe...

Companion Guides 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 growingband.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming ye...

Check out the score and sound on the Youtube page! 10 great charts for your band to play during the holiday season, complete with tips and tricks to have your band sound their best! 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 growingband.com Our mission is to share practical  advice an...

In this episode Kyle and John Denis (Program Notes Podcast) discuss lifelong learning, teaching in in a less than ideal schedule, rehearsal priorities and strategies, tips to rehearsing a ballad with a young band, music to use for babies when you want to raise good musiciansand so much more! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting th...

View Full Playlist here⁠ Complete with Score and Sound, as well as analysis from one of the top writers - Get ideas for great music for your band to play! 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 ⁠ growingband.com⁠ Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that wi...

Material Links: Percussion Equipment Assessment Checklist Drums, Keyboard and More Percussion Book Non-Percussionist Band Director One-Sheet by Jackson Smith Companion Guides 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 growingband.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explo...

View Full Playlist here⁠ Complete with Score and Sound, as well as analysis from one of the top writers - Get ideas for great music for your band to play! 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 ⁠ growingband.com⁠ Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that wi...

Beam and Stride TV, from the UDB Company, serve as brand new tools for band directors. Josh Gall joins Kyle to discuss both platforms, and how they are helpful for band directors. 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 growingband.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and...

View Full Playlist here⁠ Complete with Score and Sound, as well as analysis from one of the top writers - Get ideas for great music for your band to play! 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 ⁠ growingband.com⁠ Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that wi...