Reflect Every Week - Band Director Boost

Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes

Get the book Almost Everything I’v...

Don't Fix Every Mistake - Band Director Boost

Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes

Get the book Almost Everything I’v...

Classroom Structure and Management Tips (EP 301)

Classroom Structure and Management (not Discipline). You can PREVENT 95% of discipline problems before they happen by having the right procedures and...

Your Energy Sets The Tone - Band Director Boost

Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes

Get the book Almost Everything I’v...

Tune The Ensemble, Not Just The Notes - Band Director Boost

Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes

Get the book Almost Everything I’v...

Praise The Small Stuff - Band Director Boost

Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes

Get the book Almost Everything I’v...

Ten Tips For Managing Large Groups of Beginners (EP 300)

I spent 5 years at a Title 1 school where students didn’t behave in other classes (but they did in mine). Here are 10 Tips for Managing Large Groups o...

Less Talk, More Play - Band Director Boost

Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes

Get the book Almost Everything I’v...

Rehearsal Routine is Gold - Band Director Boost

Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes

Get the book Almost Everything I’v...

Start With Sound - Band Director Boost

Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes

Get the book Almost Everything I’v...

Getting More Parent Participation (EP 299)

Would you like to get more parent participation? You CAN do it. It takes work. It takes persistence. Here are some tips.

Jazz From The S...

Build Leaders Early - Band Director Boost

Repertoire Selection Tips (EP298)

Repertoire selection can be one of the most difficult decisions you can make, and one that requires a lot of thought to. In this episode I share tips...

When To Play (and Not Play) At Football Games (EP297)

When I first started teaching high school, I didn’t know when to play at football games (and when to stop playing). I learned the hard way over the ye...

A Drill Technique for Marching Band (EP296)

In this episode I share a Marching Band Drill Rehearsal Technique.I stole this idea from a colleague of mine and used it for many years to teach March...

Big Announcement - The book is here

Bonus Episode  - Big Announcement. The book is here.
So many have poured into my life. I look forward to helping new band directors learn from...

Episode 295 - Eating Healthy - How I Lost 40 pounds

Episode 295 - Eating Healthy - How I Lost 40 pounds
I was just 40 years old. The doctor said he had never seen triglyceride levels that high. M...

Episode 294 - When Students Misbehave For The Sub

Episode 294 - When Students Misbehave For The Sub
When I was in school, I hated it when the whole class was subject to punishment when only a f...

Episode 293 - 8 Tips For Dealing With Students Wanting To Switch Instruments

Episode 293 - 8 Tips For Dealing With Students Wanting To Switch Instruments
There are sometimes legitimate reasons for a student to switch ins...

Episode 292 - Demanding Great Concert Behavior From The Audience and Your Students

Episode 292 - Demanding Great Concert Behavior From The Audience and Your Students
Is your audience rude and out of control? You can change tha...

Episode 291 - What To Say At The Concert

Episode 291 - What To Say At The Concert
In short, keep it short. Much will depend on the culture and climate already at the school. Remember t...

Episode 290 - How Much Time Should You Spend On Fundamentals

Episode 290 - How Much Time Should You Spend On Fundamentals
When I first started teaching, I thought I didn’t have time for fundamentals. Mayb...

Episode 289 - Helping Students Play In Tune

Episode 289 - Helping Students Play In Tune
One of my biggest pet peeves is watching a director individually tune 80 band members on stage usin...

Episode 288 - 6 Tips For Engaging Percussionists

Episode 288 - 6 Tips For Engaging Percussionists
Often our percussion section can be our biggest headache, but it doesn’t have to be that way....

Episode 287 - 13 Top Mistakes Directors Make

Episode 287 - 13 Top Mistakes Directors Make
Not planning enough - Lack of classroom management - Too lax (or too rigid) - Bringing Work Home -...

Episode 286 - 16 Things I Wish I Knew About Festival Prep

Episode 286 - 16 Things I Wish I Knew About Festival Prep
How do I use my time properly? When do I start my second song? What if the percussion...

Episode 285 - Marching Band Is Needed Now More Than Ever Before

Episode 285 - Marching Band Is Needed Now More Than Ever Before
Controversial statement…I think every school should have a marching band. When...

Episode 284 - Add Some Spice To Your Rehearsal

Episode 284 - Add Some Spice To Your Rehearsal
I learned in the army that you can’t make bad food taste good simply by seasoning it (although y...

Episode 283 - Eight Strategies for Surviving the Stress Bubble of Teaching

Episode 283 - Eight Strategies For Surviving The Stress Bubble of Teaching
From setting boundaries to reflecting on your priorities, in this ep...

Episode 282 - Landing the Baton - Job Hunting Tips for Band Teachers

My first teaching job landed in my lap! It was easy to get. My neighbor was the principal for a small private school. They needed a band teacher, he a...

Episode 281 - When a Life Is Lost

Episode 281 - When A Life Is Lost
We lost three community members in a two month period! It was hard! It was difficult! The normal lesson plan...

Episode 280 - Strike the Right Chord - Cultivating Culture in the Band Classroom

I once gave out gobs of candy to students right before they were to perform. I don’t recommend that, but find out why I did that and join me as we exp...

Episode 279 - Mastering Music Education: Is a Master's Degree Worth It for Teachers?

Episode 279 - Mastering Music Education: Is a Master's Degree Worth It for Teachers?
Getting my master’s degree was one of the best things I di...

Episode 278 - 7 Things I Wish I Knew Earlier In My Career

Episode 278 - 7 Things I Wish I Knew Earlier In My Career
Get To Know The Secretaries, Play Nice With Other Teachers,  Go Home At The End Of Yo...

Episode 277 - I Have My First Parade What Do I Do

Episode 277 - I Have My First Parade - What Do I Do
Whether it’s a Christmas parade or a parade next spring, these tips will help you train your...

Why Do Flute Players Seem To Behave Better

Resources…
Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes
Have a question for the p...

When In Doubt, Make It Flat - Bonus Episode

Resources…
Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes
Have a question for the p...

Schedule a Time To Leave Work - Bonus Episode

Resources…
Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes
Have a question for the p...

Say NO to This So You Can Say YES To That - Bonus Episode

Resources…
Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes
Have a question for the p...

Keeping a Calendar Reduces Your Chance of Saying Yes - Bonus Episode

Resources…
Jazz From The Start - Jazz and improvisation curriculum you can use as soon as students know 5 notes
Have a question for the p...