The Growing Band Director

Alex Castro joins a conversation with Kyle around ways to engage students while having percussion class separated from the wind class. So many possiblities arise when you split up the sections for their rehearsals. There are some drawbacks, but the positives for the students and their skills, both the percussion and the winds, far outweighs the drawbacks. To gain access to all show notes and audio...

Dr. Matthew Arau is the author of "Upbeat!" and creator of Upbeat Global -Steps to maximize your band director morning routines -Creating a culture in your band -Building a leadership program 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...

Megan Vinther is the band director at Everett HS in Everett, Washington - as well as a composer for concert and jazz band. She joins Kyle in a wide ranging discussion around her approach in the band room. They also discuss and listen to some of Megan's pieces (grades 2-4.) Included in the end is a couple recommendations for pieces for concert and jazz band that Megan finds are great teaching vehic...

In Part 3/3 with Terry White, Kyle and Terry share tons of their favorite charts for Jazz Ensemble, from beginning level to advanced. A must listen for any jazz teachers, and a great close to this three-part series! 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...

Chris Holloway is a 17 year veteran band director from Orlando Science High School in Florida and has been asked to present to his high school faculty about classroom management and he brings this wisdom and experience to the show. 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 thegrowing...

Mark Bligh interviews Dr Tim Oliver from Ole Miss in a wide ranging discussion that covers programming, score preparation, and much more! 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 help e...

Learn some amazing ways to start your beginners off with a chance to sound amazing in their first 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 the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your...

Guest Host Christian Garnes (Ohio University) hosts his mentor and longtime band director Dave Phillips. Dave shares the ways that he built many band programs, and advice for current directors in building their bands. 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.c...

Mark Caspersen is a veteran band director of 39 years from Plano, TX, and the inventor of Tuner Caddy. He joins Kyle from the Habits Institute in South Carolina to talk band - some of his favorite teaching pieces and composers - as well as ways to connect with your students and to help your band lock in their tuning! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast...

Rob Westerberg is the 2023 Recipient of the Outstanding Music Educator of the Year for the Northeast by the National Federation of State High Schools. Buckle up - we dive deep! 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  adv...

Alex Wright joins Krystle to discuss questions and look for ideas for his beginning band program. 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 help every band director, no matter your exper...

Veteran judge and band director Marc Whitlock joins Kyle for a discussion around best practices and rehearsal tips to have a productive, detail-oriented rehearsal that leads to successful performances, as well as methods to make sure your students understand how to play in time, no matter where they are on the marching band field. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe t...

Learn from one of the best Jazz Writers and Clinicians out there! This is the first part of a THREE part series to take your Jazz Ensemble to the next level! A can't miss! Don Zentz - Best Charts to use with your band Master List! 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 thegrowingb...

Kyle sits down with composer Anthony O'Toole to discuss some of his works for band. Anthony'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 thegrowingbanddirector.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your e...

Joining Kyle is Grammy nominated composer and arranger Rich DeRosa. From his experience as the Director of Jazz Composition and Arranging at University of North Texas to his time writing for and conducting the WDR Big Band in Germany - Rich has a vast background that can help us in our journey to be better jazz educators. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the pod...

The Director of Bands at University of Oregon, Dennis Llinas sits down with Kyle and Jeff. Get insight into a great new tool Dennis has conceived called "The Workshop" - plus many more insights to conducting, and all things music education! 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 t...

Joining Kyle are three veteran band directors with tons of experience with the mentorship with the Idaho Music Educators Association. They share critical aspects needed for quality mentoring both from the mentors as well as the mentees. They highlight the possibilities for growth and enhanced community through mentorship. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the pod...

In part one of this interview with Aaron Bush from Foxboro High School (Mass.) you will learn many ways to build a top level jazz program! A Can't Miss! 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 t...

Joining Kyle is Grammy nominated composer and arranger Rich DeRosa. His vast experience as a composer and arranger for some of the finest musicians in the world has allowed him the opportunity to not only write for some world class ensembles, but also some young band charts that are pure gold! They discuss and listen to six of Rich's charts that span Grades 1-5. To gain access to all show note...

Anthony O'Toole is a composer and the creator of the Youtube Series Wind Band Score Studies that has been extremely popular! Learn ways to study a score effectively and hear about some of his greatest mentors - Jack Stamp and Mark Camphouse. 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...

Join Kyle and Caitlin Ramsey as they meet with one of America's finest middle school band directors, Chip Destefano, and learn some of the pillars of what make a successful band program. 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 prac...

Nick Atchley is an Assistant Principal at Fremont Middle School, as well as a past Dean of Students and an experienced band director. Nick sits down with Kyle and gives us an insight to his world as an administrator, and helps us find common ground to be able to relate to, and connect with, our administrators. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and con...

One of the GBD most popular episodes! Concert programming so your students will succeed and sound amazing, and Teaching the Rhythm Section and the Full Jazz Band. Oh, and what to do in that first concert! 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 missio...

Marc Whitlock, veteran band director, adjudicator and DCI program coordinator joins Kyle to discuss ways to ensure your marching band show has an emotional impact on the audience, the performers, and you! How To Craft Emotional Impact For Your Marching Band Show Blog Post To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon -...

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 podca...