The Growing Band Director

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 along the w...

Chris Marro is a long time percussion educator and owner of the Midcoast School of Music. He joins the show to share his story as a husband and father seeking work-life balance. He also dives into the was to teach the drum set for your jazz band students. 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...

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...

Geoffrey Richards is the inventor of Thumb Gummi - an innovative product that helps trumpet, trombone and clarinet students with their right hand position. 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 topic...

Every band director has a slightly different career story - and being a head director - though very important - is not the end all and be all. Cathy Benford from Round Rock ISD joins the show to give advice for following the path that is right for you as your career progresses. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patr...

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 podca...

William Owens is one of the most prolific composers in the world for school bands. He has a knack for writing accessible music for students at any experience level. He is also one of the busiest guest conductors. He joins the show to share his wisdom for band directors and other composers - and we also listen to some of his music! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe t...

Educator and Composer Matt Neufeld joins the show to discuss topics in the band classroom, as well as five of his great works for younger 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.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will...

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...

Tyler Arcari joins the show to discuss ways to help your students improve at sight reading! Better By Sight The Complete Warm Up for Band The Adaptable Ensemble 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 Our mission is to share practical  advice and e...

Mike Tomaro is one of the leading jazz educators and composer/arrangers in the world - and he joins the show to share his insight on all things jazz education! We also listen to 7 of his amazing charts! Rhythm Sheet for Jazz Improvisation 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 the...

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 Tylersgrant.com 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 to...

During Midwest 2024 Kyle had a chance to sit down with Chris and Peter from the Beyond Artless Podcast. Enjoy their conversation! 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 ban...

Learn ways to help your small band sound their best, with Chris DeVona from James Madison University. "Small Band - Big Sound" is available from GIA Publications 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...

Peter Boonshaft is a mainstay and inspirational figure in the field of music education, with a wide ranging conducting history around the world, as well as the author of a very popular series of books for band directors- ⁠"Teaching Music With Passion"⁠ ⁠"Teaching Music with Purpose"⁠ ⁠"Teaching Music With Promise"⁠ To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast an...

In January 2025 Kyle was a guest with the Music for All Podcast Network show - "Culture Before Content" with David Duarte. Check out the conversation! 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 tha...

Fresh off his February 2025 FMEA presentation "Tips for Growing Your Program" Joshua Williams joins the show to help us learn ways to improve student recruitment and retention. Practice With Mr Williams You Tube Channel 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...

In a wide ranging discussion around mentorship, buzzing, whistling, solfege, connection, empowering students and much more, we unlock the most important of all - you need to continue to learn throughout 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 thegrowingbanddirector.com O...

Selection of repertoire for your jazz band is essential for a successful festival season. In this 3 part series hear 27 charts for grades 1-3 that work tremendously. Each chart is discussed and an audio sample is provided, as well as background and teaching tips for each chart. Each episode includes: 3 charts as a Grade 1 set 3 charts as a Grade 2 set 3 charts as a Grade 3 set To gain access to al...

A well designed marching band show is the vehicle every student deserves - yet is one of the hardest tasks a band director undertakes - and are usually underprepared to accomplish! Veteran show designer and music educator Key Poulan joins the show to help teach methods of show design to maximize student achievment. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast an...

Learn from a seasoned educator about her approach to teaching beginning band, and how it helps with engagement, knowledge and achievement! 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...

Join Kyle and Melissa Shabo (Cape Elizabeth Middle School) for a journey through three sets of Grade 1-3 Festival music that are worthy of your contest set in the future! Each program is segmented into 3 pieces at each grade level that would work as a stand alone concert set! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreo...

How do you make the important choices for your marching band that will set them up for success during the season? Do you compete in competitions? Do you perform at football games? Do you buy a stock show, or custom design one for yourself? What are your tools and what type of show is right for your students right now? These are all questions that band directors ask themselves each year. Brian Joyc...

As the band director at one of the top HS jazz programs in the country (Beloit HS-Wisconsin), Chris Behrens shares many aspects of building this culture in YOUR school - including a score study session on two Duke Ellington charts, as well as participating in the Essentially Ellington Festival and all the other aspects that go into their top notch jazz program. To gain access to all show notes and...

There are so many pieces of music written for piano or orchestra that have been transcribed for wind band. In this episode we discuss the reasoning for programming transcriptions with your students. We also provide score and sound listening examples of pieces that work well for wind band. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the s...