In this podcast, I share tips and strategies for teaching jazz band, from how to balance your rhythm section, how to add a bass player, and what length wind players should play their notes.

Our words have power! In this podcast, I share four powerful things we can say to our students that will lift them up (and a few words to avoid).

5 Ideas you can implement today for NO cost that will dramatically improve the climate of your classroom. Try them.

Are schools allowed to have Christmas concerts? Can you wish your students "Merry Christmas?" Can one put up a nativity scene or Christmas tree on public property? These are all questions answered in today's podcast.

You might also check out Episode 10, Why I Don't Do Christmas Concerts.

Download a copy of the letter I received from my principal that gives some of the references for why these things are allowed.

It's easy to fall into the trap of comparing what you do with what other band directors are doing. Are you doing that? Take Newhart's advice...Just Stop It! 

When I started at my current school, I was determined NOT to have a Marching Band. My mentor convinced me otherwise. Listen as I share three reasons why Marching Band Is Needed Now More Than Ever. 

Did you know 10% of students are good leaders, 80% are followers and 10% are bad leaders?

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and I discuss this and other important topics centered around student leadership, something he is very passionate about.

Find out more about Dr. Tim:

Attitude Concepts for Today

Music for All

Tim's book, "The Art of Successful Teaching"

Tim's book, "The Joy of Inspired Teaching"

Why you should throw practice sheets away and aim for a systematic, progressive test of skills for your music students. 

Tips for starting your own band booster organization, and avoid the HUGE mistake I made!

Download the podcast here
Episode 50: Interview with Julie Novak; Tips for teaching students with aural/visual challenges

On today's podcast, I interview my friend and colleague Julie Novak, who teaches music at The Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. She shares tips on what you can do as a band director if you have students who are visually or aurally challenged.

Links
Ohio State School for the Blind Marching Band Program

About Music for Braille

Music to Braille Software

American Music Therapy Association

Busy, Busy, Busy, (but a good busy)...that describes these last few weeks for me and why I missed two weeks of the podcast.

I used tip #1 myself in these 7 tips for what to do (and not to do) the last few weeks of band class.

Some people dread having to call parents. It doesn't have to be that way.

Here are five tips that will help you communicate with your band parents more effectively.

I'll also share my guarantee at the end that has virtually eliminated angry parents.

When I first started teaching at the high school level, I was afraid of starting a marching band. Many of my colleagues were suffering from burnout due to marching band.

My wise mentor, Dr. Ed Cannava, encouraged me to go for it. He reminded me I was the one in control of the schedule.

Starting a marching band was one of the best things I did for my program. Get some tips and advice on the show.

Link to store where you can have shirts made

Link to used marching band uniforms

Dr. Matt Talbert of Berea College shares insights on teaching, especially which battles are worth fighting. Should directors place emphasis on posture, long tones, fundamentals, and why.

Berea college is one of about 6 work colleges that don't charge tuition. Find out more about the music program at Berea HERE.

Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves, and Jared is no exception. Hear about some of his journey as a teacher and leading up to his winning the Grammy Music Educator of the Year award.

Find out why some people call him The Energizer Bunny.

Today's podcast is short and to the point. Create a rhythm sheet to save precious rehearsal time.

Sample Carnival of the Animals Worksheet score

In this episode, James shares a very personal story of seeing abuse and being abused and how this affected his teaching. His Forgiveness Journey helped him be a better teacher. Listen for the free book offer in the podcast.

In the music field, we are all striving for perfectionism...it's what makes us good at what we do.

However, if we aren't careful, we can make this an all-consuming cycle that drags us down physically and emotionally.

Five tips to help you not to succumb.

- Kevin Beaber teaches band, choir and guitar in Crowley County, Colorado. He has been in rural schools for his entire three decade career.

- Not only does Kevin love teaching in a rural area, he is part of national organizations; in fact he's currently President of American School Band Director's Association. You can get free resources at their site, like a guide for Administrator's who are evaluating music teachers.

- Have a question about teaching in a rural area? Kevin would like to hear from you. Email Kevin.

- Link to the Hands on Training series (HOTS) Guitar Curriculum discussed on the show

- Stephen has 1,114 compositions (and counting) to his credit. He's not only a composer but a music educator too with 17 years of full time teaching experience.

- www.stormworld.com

- One of his tools, and one I have been using for over a year, is his Function Chorales. These are composed using numbers rather than written music so they can be played in any key. You can find a free sample on the site.

- A tool I just recently purchased and am looking forward to using is Scaleworks.

- There are a lot of free tools and music available. Try out the free stuff and then purchase something to help your students and to enable more great materials to be created. 

- Tools like the Function Chorales are really affordable and Stephen gives you license to make as many copies as you need for the program they are purchased for.

- You can read more about Stormworks and Stephen Melillo HERE. There are a ton of resources and teaching on his site.

- www.stormworld.com

Classroom Discipline is the wrong way to describe what we do. Over 95% of discipline problems are resolved BEFORE they occur by having the right structure.

- In this episode we talk about four specific strategies that you can incorporate today to improve your band class, and none of them have anything to do with music.

You may have read Trey's column in The Instrumentalist, "Life of Reely", where he shares funny stories from his music ed experiences.

Trey is in the trenches everyday just like you and me, and he's also a writer. Find out about the persistence it took for him to get into writing and his biggest triumph and biggest mistake as a teacher.

Get all of Trey's books HERE. I just ordered one of each! You can also check him out at GIA publications.

Trey is available as a speaker/clinician at your state conference, for your students or other events. You can reach him HERE. 

Please excuse my shaky voice in this interview. I am fully recovered from being sick (except for my voice).

Do you teach at a school where hardly anyone takes private lessons? Have you ever wished there was a formalized progressive music evaluation tool that increases musical achievement and is adaptable to your band? You need to check out The Power in the Progress System.

My guest today- Dr. Dwight Satterwhite - has taught for 48 years! He "retired" from the University of Georgia, but is still active in music education. He developed The Power in the Progress System through all those years.

It's proven. It's tested. It works! I started using it in October of 2013 and have seen increased achievement in my band students.

Reach Dr. Satterwhite HERE and get started with a free trial version of the program today.

www.Power-Progress-System.com