The Growing Band Director

In this episode Jeff and Kyle sit down with Fred Ford, legendary Percussion Judge, Instructor, and Performer, to help get a better understanding on how to set our students up for their best chance for success, specifically in the marching arts. 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...

Tom Lizotte joins Kyle and Jeff for a recap of the Colts top 12 final placement at DCI finals, and have a great discussion about the process of designing an effective marching band show that audiences, judges will love, and will help your kids reach their full potential! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon -...

In this short episode we share an extremely easy way to get pep band music for your band to play that is: Easy, Fun, and Current! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the top of growingband.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will help every band dir...

Kyle had the distinct PLEASURE of sitting down with Nick Mainella from the Ten Minute Jazz Lesson 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. New Orleans Jam Book - as discussed on th...

We are very thankful for all of our amazing beginning band teachers!  Please share this episode with any beginning band teachers in your district!  In this episode we share some quality literature for our youngest band students! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the top of gr...

Share this with your Middle School teachers!  In this final part of our three part series, you will hear some amazing music that your students should have a chance to play! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the top of growingband.com Our mission is to share practical  advice...

This episode is part two of a three part series dedicated to playing you some great pieces for your Grade 1 and 1.5 Band!  Be sure to check out the first part of this series, which is already available! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the top of growingband.com Our mission is to shar...

In this episode we let you in to an exclusive clinic that Mike Sakash gave at the District 2 Jazz Festival this spring! He spends time teaching over 75 students how to approach improvising on Summertime. This is an instant classic - be sure not to miss it! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the butto...

Check out some of the new things happening at The Growing Band Director Podcast! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - 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 mus...

Improve your FLUTE SECTION! In this Episode we did our first crossover Episode with the Flute 360 Podcast!  We got a chance to hang with Dr. Heidi Kay Begay and discuss many topics that will improve your flute section right away!   Show links: Kathy Blocki Website Pneumo Pro Flute Tool Recommended text : Julie Stone - Notes on the Flute - a Resource for the Music Educator, Adult Learner, and Woodw...

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 fun The Growing Band Direc...

Craig Skeffington - jazz composer/arranger, band director and trumpet player - joins Kyle for an AMAZING discussion about your jazz band.   They talk about great jazz band charts, great educational jazz arrangers, writing and arranging for your jazz band, and many other jazz band topics!   A must listen for all educators! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the pod...

Kyle and Jeff are joined by Nate Gowen, Director of Admission in the Music Department at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.   They cover all aspects of applying to college as a music major.   This is a great episode to send to your students to help them through this process! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show o...

In the first part of a three part series, Kyle shares recordings and his insight on some amazing Grade 1 pieces for your band! You get to hear some carefully selectect music at the grade 1 level - what works in each piece, and why your students need to experience this music! Coming from a real life situations of teachers just like you - this music works! A must listen! To gain access to all show n...

In this episode Kyle shares recordings and his insight on some amazing Grade 4 pieces for your band! You get to hear his favorite music at the grade 4 level - what works in each piece, and why your students need to experience this music! Coming from a real life situation - this music works! A must listen! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider...

In this episode Kyle and Jeff have on the great Jim Vitagliano to explain General Effect Visual - how to design a show with the most amount of GE to maximize your students successes as they perform the show you have designed for them.  With almost 100 years of teaching experience between them - Jim and Jeff give us a masterclass in visual design element that is General Effect!  A must listen for y...

In this episode Kyle shares recordings and his insight on some amazing Grade 4 pieces for your band! You get to hear his favorite music at the grade 4 level - what works in each piece, and why your students need to experience this music! Coming from a real life situation - this music works! A must listen! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider...

In this episode Kyle and Jeff meet with one of New Englands finest teachers - Dean Neal.  Dean's decades of experience as an instrumental and vocal teacher has lead to many awards for ensembles througout New England.  We discuss how to incorporate singing into the band and jazz band rehearsal to improve everything from tone and intonation to overall musicianship skills in your students.  There are...

In this episode Kyle and Jeff chat with the incomparable Barry Saunders, get insights into his go-to; time tested approachs to teaching students to improvise.  This is for students and teachers of all levels - from beginner to professionals - there is something in here for you! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patr...

In this episode Jeff goes at it solo - sharing the many ways your relationships to the other adults in your school will help improve your program.  This is insight from a veteran teacher - with much to share! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the top of growingband.com Our mission is t...

In this episode we explore some of the best music for Grade 2.  High School teachers - don't sleep on this music!  Coming from a real life situation - this music works!  A must listen! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the top of growingband.com Our mission is to share practical  advic...

In this episode Kyle goes at it solo!  You get to hear his favorite music at the grade 3 level - what works in each piece, and why your students need to experience this music!  Coming from a real life situation - this music works!  A must listen! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the t...

In this episode Kyle and Jeff share their favorite John Wooden quotes and give you a resource to download them and hang them in your band room.  So many life lessons to learn from the greatest coach ever.  A must listen! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the top of growingband.com Our...

In this episode Kyle and Jeff talk about the balanced band program - and how to structure it so that it has sustained success.  A must listen! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the top of growingband.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will help every...

In this episode Kyle and Jeff hang with Trae Blanco - a good friend of the show and the Director of Bands at Murray State University.  It's both a VERY REAL conversation, but also has very practical ways to get your students to reach for super high standareds and improve your band program.  A must listen! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider...