The Growing Band Director

The use of folk songs in the band classrooms is very important to help them learn history! Gene Milford is one of the finest composers of our time uses folk songs all the time, and he joined the show to discuss many of his works for band! 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...

Through Curriculum Mapping, the use of Companion Guides, and a thorough approach to programming, learn the techniques used by a Master Teacher - Tiffany Hitz from Fairfax County, VA. Tips for Mentoring Companion Guide Example (Tiffany Hitz) Example Curriculum Map (Tiffany Hitz) Songs in 6/8 Part 1 (Kyle Smith) Songs in 6/8 Part 2 (Kyle Smith) To gain access to all show notes and audio files please...

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...

Starting a new job as a band director is not an easy task. There are many decisions in the short and long term that need to be calculated. No matter how experienced you are, you will make mistakes. Patrick Towey joins the show to help us navigate some solutions and avoid some pitfalls along the way. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider suppo...

Hear from one of New England's most legendary band directors. Jeff Leonard spent 35 years in the Lexington Schools as K-12 Coordinator and Band Director. Now teaching at BU and Berklee, hear some of the ways to improve as a teacher in both the classical and jazz realm. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - usi...

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...

Penelope Smetters-Jacono and Paul Corn are New York band directors who have grown their programs to a level that they have been accepted to Essentially Ellington 2025, and they join the show live from Jazz at Lincoln Center. 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 thegrowingbanddir...

From his Alfred clinic "Start Your Engines: Building Confidence with Less Experienced Rhythm Section Players" Mike Kamuf shares amazing information to help your young Rhythm Section thrive! This is also a chance to listen to some great music by one of America's top writers. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon...

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...

Tatum Greenblatt is one of New York City's most in-demand trumpet players. Among many other roles, Tatum teaches at the Julliard School, and runs the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra. He joins the show to discuss how the traits students learn while playing in a big band can prepare them for being successful members of society. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe...

The two biggest areas of growth for most jazz band directors lie in the rhythm section and articulation for the jazz band. Legend Dick Dunscomb joins the show to help! 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...

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...

What are the most enjoyable parts of being a music administrator? What are the greatest challenges? What are administrators looking for in quality teachers and how do they help teachers who are struggling? If someone is looking to become a music administrator, what steps can they take along that path? Enjoy this conversation between Philip Walters and Nathan Coronado from by far the largest state...

Supreme practice advice for band directors! In between Dr. Grogan's presentations at conventions in Georgia and Utah, he made time to bring his methods and materials to us to share with you. 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...

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...

MIke Sakash joins the show to give ways to work on improvisation with your students in the full jazz band rehearsal, and discusses some amazing repertoire you might want to play with your HS jazz ensemble. 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 missi...

Dr. Doug Owens joins the show to share the research, problems, and solutions around music induced hearing loss 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 thegrowingbanddirector.com Our mission is to share practical  advice and explore topics that will help every ba...

Dr Benjamin Taylor is a composer and has tons of great music for bands of all levels. In this episode we talk composition, band music with audio tracks, exercise routines for band directors, and much more! Teaching Music Creatively : A Practical Guide for Music Director. Get 50% off with code "Creative50" To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast an...

Alex Kaminsky is the Director of Bands at Vandercook College of Music, and and experienced high school band director from Florida. He joins the podcast to share tips to help your band achieve sonority! 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 i...

Learn some creative ways to improve your band with legendary band director, Jeff Priest! 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 experience lev...

Learn how to grow the tone of your woodwind section, and hear some ideas to help your improvisers too! Aaron Henry is the Director of Instrumental Music at Yarmouth High School, ME and Artist Faculty in Jazz Saxophone at The Osher School of Music at the University of Southern Maine. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on...

Brandon Halberg is the Director of Instrumental Music at Independence Community College in Kansas. He joins the show to share his experiences teaching in a rural setting. 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 an...

John McAllister is the man behind the great JohnMcAllistermusic.com where you can find backing tracks and free resources to make your job as a band director easier! From beginner exercises to more advanced music, the play along videos are something that students LOVE! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - usin...

Lighting a Fire in Kids Ted Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4CzFQ7Esi4 Chris Gleason is an experienced band director and creativity consultant from Wisconsin. He joins the show to discuss some ways to help motivate 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 at the top of thegrowingb...

It is contest festival season - and Travis Weller joins the show to share advice on preparing your bands for contest festival. You can find the full article here: Adjudication, Assessment and Contest - Oh My! https://travisjweller.com/2025/02/03/adjudication-assessment-and-contest-oh-my/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIReslleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeocQPdfBr7gsqMDgDHzgQiVcvd-Ho7lB8JRweX03DHclYkGHVDHGWBy0g_aem_hvs844fc3Vp...