Everything Band Podcast

For this special episode, I recorded live from the New Jersey Music Educators Association Conference in Atlantic City. During the conference, I had the opportunity to speak with seven music teachers in the state and asked them about community. A special thank you to Kaleidoscope Adventures for making this possible. Guests and Topics: Philip Aguglia of PaGu batons and a high school band director in Buffalo, New York talks about some of the ways he builds community in his program, leaving a footprint behind, and tells us about his batons. Larissa Skinner, a music teacher in the Passaic School District and a Ph.D. student in Urban Education at Rutgers University talks about some of the activities that she uses to help build community to help her students feel successful. David Taylor is a 28 year teacher at Northern Burlington Regional High School  who joined me to talk about the community of our profession. Yale Snyder is the district percussion specialist and band director in the Monroe Township School Distri

Robert W. Smith is a prolific composer, educator, and publisher. He joins the show to tell his stories, share some advice, and talk about copyright. If you want to know the importance of making connections, then this is the episode for you!  Topics: Robert’s background growing up in a military family and the story of an extraordinary piano teacher that had an indelible influence on Robert’s early music education. How music educators are keepers of knowledge for a long line of musicians that spans centuries. How Robert has come full circle from student to professor at the Troy University and the influences of John M. Long and Paul Yoder on his career, particularly on his decision to write for band. Robert’s first teaching job, his move to Tampa to teach at Pinellas Park and Clearwater High Schools, and of course Suncoast Sound. RWS Music Company, C.L. Barnhouse, music publishing, copyright law, and why we can’t legally copy parts for our kids. The advice Robert gave his daughters as they embarked upon their c

Amy Knopps is the Associate Director of Bands and the Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Missouri, Columbia. In this episode, Amy shares her story of growing up in the Kansas City area and how she found her way to her dream job as the director of the Marching Mizzou. Topics: Amy’s background growing up in Lee’s Summit through her college experience as a student at the University of Missouri. Amy’s first job, the connections that made her first teaching job in Kansas City so special, and her first college teaching job at Eastern Michigan University. Some lessons that we can apply to our own teaching from her story. The Marching Mizzou, leadership, community, and the advantages of being the athletic band director at the flagship university of her native state. The challenges of being a female band athletic band director and words of encouragement for young female band directors. Links: Amy Knopps The Marching Mizzou Grainger: Irish Tune from County Derry Biography: Amy M. Knopps is the Associat

Mary Kate McNally is the Director of Athletic bands at Ohio Wesleyan University, a co-founder of the And We Were Heard project, and a tireless advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the band community. Topics: The band program at Ohio Wesleyan University, Mary Kate’s musical origin story, and a high school band director that had a tremendous influence on her career. Gender stereotypes in musical instruments and what we can do to help our boys feel comfortable with playing any instruments. Advice for working with transgender and nonbinary students and creating meaningful dialogues to best serve all of our communities. The Twin Bands of Kent State in the 1940s and being willing to learn from our mistakes and grow as music educators. Mary Kate’s experiences teaching in rural Eastern Colorado and some strategies for differentiating instruction when you have homogeneous students at different levels. A report on And We Were Heard a year after its founding. Links: Ohio Wesleyan University And We Were He

Larry Neeck has written or arranged over 150 works for C.L. Barnhouse and is now retired after a 32 year career as a middle school band director in Rochester, New York. Topics: Larry’s musical background growing up in Pennsylvania and how he passed on a chance to be a varsity quarterback to instead play bells in the band. Larry’s journey from cocktail hour pianist to middle school band director in Rochester, New York. The story of how Larry got his start as a composer writing jazz charts for his own students and some advice for composers about getting their music played. Advice and perspectives on teaching middle school including some excellent advice about being yourself in your classroom. The challenges of changing from a 7-9 junior high school to a 6-8 middle school. Links: Silvestri: Back to the Future Theme Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story Neeck: Glacier Express (performed by the Rochester New Horizons Band) Biography: Larry Neeck is an internationally recognized composer, with more t

Jay Londgren is the band director at the Singapore American School, one of the largest international schools in the world. He joins the show to talk about teaching band abroad and shares stories of teaching in Venezuela, South Korea, and Singapore. Topics: Jay’s early years as a musician and some teachers who mentored him on his way to becoming a music teacher. Moving to Venezuela, teaching in that first job, and some anecdotes from that job. His move to the Korean International School (KIS), a terrific story about his first budget meeting with his new principal, and the growth of the program during his time there. The demographics of the international schools and the founding of the KIMEA. The music programs at the Singapore American School. Links: Singapore American School Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) Korean International School Korean International Music Educators Association Maslanka: Symphony No. 4 Biography: Jay Londgren is currently director of HS Bands and Jazz at Singapor

John Thomson enjoyed a hugely successful 40-year career as a band director at New Trier High School (IL) and East Allegheny High School (PA). He is also a contributing author to the Instrumentalist Magazine. Topics: John’s early career including playing trumpet duets with his father, how he got his first job at East Allegheny High School, and how he came to write reviews for the Instrumentalist. A discussion of his program at East Allegheny High School and his thoughts about selecting literature including playing transcriptions. The program at New Trier High School including his emphasis on sight reading and chamber ensembles. Thoughts about being patient in your career, the importance of fundamentals to the band, commissioning new music, and raising funds for big projects. Links: John A. Thomson Instrumentalist Magazine Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy Biography: John A. Thomson received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in trombone performance and music education from Carnegie Mellon University, where he stu

James David is a composer on the faculty of Colorado State University. He’s enjoyed a great deal of recent success with his composition for band and joins the show to tell his story. Topics: Jim’s background growing up in Southern Georgia and the importance of gospel and jazz in his musical development. Advice for young composers and what we can do as band directors and music teachers to help young, aspiring composers to realize their dreams. Commissioning music and some thoughts about commercial publishing versus self-publishing. Links: James M. David, Composer Colorado State Music Messiaen: Quartet for the End of Time Hansen: Chorale and Alleluia Copland: Appalachian Spring David: Ghosts of the Old Year David: With Soul Serene Biography: Dr. James M. David (b. 1978) is an internationally recognized composer who currently serves as associate professor of composition and music theory at Colorado State University and is particularly known for his works involving winds and percussion. His symphonic works fo

Tim Heath is the Director of Athletic Bands at Wake Forest University. Topics: Tim’s background growing up in Eastern North Carolina playing trumpet in the high school band and drum set on the side and how he ended up becoming a music teacher. Tim’s early teaching jobs, his decision to go back to school to earn a doctorate, and why that led him to teaching middle school for a year. Thoughts about how to communicate the value of the arts. Being a doctoral student at the University of Alabama and working with the Million Dollar Band. Moving from Samford University to Wake Forest University and what he’s learned as a college athletic band director that he would apply if he could go back to his days as a high school band director. Links: Wake Forest Athletic Bands Maslanka: Concerto for Clarinet and Band Biography: Dr. Tim Heath is the Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Teaching Professor at Wake Forest University. Prior to Wake Forest, he was the Director of Athletic Bands and Assistant Professor of Mu

On December 20th I had the honor to present a session at the 2019 Midwest Clinic titled "Podcast Pedagogy: Band Wisdom from 125 Composers, Conductors, and Performers." The holidays have made it difficult to schedule a guest, so instead I have recreated the session and am sharing it here. Normal episodes resume in 2020! Topics: A bit of podcast business. My story and how I arrived here as the host of the podcast. Common answers to the big questions. Valuable things for my listeners to remember. What I've learned and how it has changed me as a teacher. Links to Podcasts: The Portfolio Composer The Entrepreneurial Musician After Sectionals That Band Life Program Notes The Bandmasters Podcast AMusEd The Anacrusic Podcast The Band Director's Lounge Music Ed Mentor Podcast Music on Purpose The Director's Circle ------- Are you planning to travel with your group sometime soon? If so, please consider my sponsor, Kaleidoscope Adventures, a full service tour company specializing in student group travel. With a for

Brian Wis, the band director at St. Charles North High School in St. Charles, Illinois joins me for a discussion about booster groups, music literacy, and to share his thoughts about music education. Topics: Brian’s background growing up around the Cavaliers and how he got his instrumental start as a fourth grader on the bugle. Building strong relationships with your colleagues to create a shared philosophy and to join forces for the greater good. Booster groups and the importance of strong bylaws. Thoughts about getting along with administrators and an important bit of advice to avoid conflicts. Music literacy, the emphasis that Brian and his colleagues place on it, and how it helps his band program. The Facebook Band Director’s Group and the state of music teacher education in the United States. Links: Brian Wis - Teaching and Music St. Charles North Band NoteNames+ in the Apple App Store Biography: Brian Wis teaches bands at St. Charles North High School in St. Charles, Illinois. His bachelors degree i

Bobby Lambert is the band director at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He is also the host of "That Band Life" podcast and will be conducting the Wando Symphonic Band at the 2019 Midwest Clinic. Topics: Bobby’s background including the story of how he grew up in rural North Carolina and ended up as a student at Western Carolina and the drum major of the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band. The importance of concert band music and a deep dive into Irish Tune from County Derry. Teaching at Marian Catholic with Greg Bimm and the most important lesson that Bobby learned from his time with Greg. Bobby’s move to Wando High School and the emotions and challenges he faced in his new position. “You can’t control your talent and you can’t always control the instrument you have, but you can always control your effort. Hard work always pays off.” Student leadership and the value of chamber ensembles to the band program at Wando High School. Advice about teaching marching band, particularly for the y

Jonathan Grantham is the band director at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, California. The AVHS Wind Ensemble 1 is making its second appearance at the Midwest Clinic this month. Topics: Jonathan’s background growing up in rural Michigan and the band director who inspired him to a career as an educator. The story of Jonathan’s first job and the story of why he felt compelled to leave that job and take a break from teaching before moving to California. The culture shock of moving from teaching in Michigan to teaching in California and the instrumental program at Amador Valley High School. The process of applying for the Midwest Clinic, the reaction of his students, and the program that his group will play at the conference. Links: The Accidental Expert Amador Valley High School Music AVHS Wind Ensemble 1 plays Our New Day Begun by Omar Thomas AVHS Marching Band (2018) Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy Biography: Jonathan Grantham, director of bands at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton, California, l

Keith Hodgson joined the music education faculty at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 2016 after a 26 year teaching career.  Topics: Keith’s background growing up learning the piano and then percussion and the important influences on his decision to pursue music as a career. Finding opportunities outside of your formal studies to learn more about being a band director. Keith’s high school teaching career, the lessons he learned in his first five years, and his program at Mainland High School. The music education program at the University of the Arts and the lessons that he tries to teach his students. The importance of community bands and commissioning music. Links: Keith Hodgson University of the Arts South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble Whitacre: October Elder: The Heart’s Reflection Biography: Keith W. Hodgson is the Director of Music Education at the University of The Arts in Philadelphia, PA. He teaches graduate & undergraduate conducting, percussion methods, is Director of the Master of

Jeff Herwig is a composer and the the Director of Bands at Mercer Area Middle-Senior High School in Mercer, Pennsylvania. Topics: Jeff’s background growing up including the story of his late start as a saxophone player and how he was inspired by the rock band Queen. The program at Mercer Area High School and the mistakes that Jeff made at his first position and the lessons he learned when he took on his current position. Jeff’s composing and how he got started and why he made the decision to be self-published. Links: Jeff Herwig Millenium Composers Initiative Herwig: Freedom Semper Fi Fund Maslanka: Symphony No. 4 Biography: Jeff Herwig is currently the Director of Bands at Mercer Area Middle-Senior High School in Mercer, Pennsylvania. He is responsible for all secondary instrumental activities in the district. He directs the Middle School Concert Band, Senior High Concert Band, Senior High Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds, Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, and Marching Band. Jeff is a member of the Millennium Compose

Keith Ozsvath is the band director at Rotolo Middle School in Batavia, Illinois and is the co-founder and coordinator for the Middle School Concert Band Camp at the Music for All Summer Symposium. Topics: Keith’s background including the story of how childhood organ lessons helped prepare him for a late start in band. The band program at Rotolo Middle School. Keith’s duties as Middle School Coordinator for the Music for All Summer Symposium. Why every band directors should try to connect with composers whenever possible. Thoughts about choosing band music. Links: Keith Ozsvath Teaching Music and More Music for All Middle School Summer Symposium Les Taylor: Kane County Chronicle Weller: Yankee Fanfare Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium Biography: Music educator Keith Ozsvath is passionate about helping other directors improve their craft. He maintains an active schedule as a blogger, professional development leader, and clinician for middle school bands. He’s a dad, coffee addict, runner, northwoods fisherman,

Jonathan Newman is a well-known composer and is the Director of Composition & Coordinator of New Music at the Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia. Topics: Jonathan’s background, how playing the trombone has helped his career, and important teachers in his life. How writing in a variety of genres helps him stay focused and the importance of exploring a plurality of styles as a composer. BCM International and how four friends found a way to have a booth at Midwest and launch their careers. Being a pioneer as a self-published composer in the early 2000’s and how a job at Boosey & Hawkes helped him learn how to publish his own music. Jonathan’s newest work Pi‘ilani and Ko‘olauan. Links: Jonathan Newman, Composer BCM International Newman: OK, Feel Good Newman: Blow it Up, Start Again Newman: Pi’ilani and Ko’alauan Britten: War Requiem Bach: Komm, süsser Tod Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier (Final Trio) Biography: Jonathan Newman composes music rich with rhythmic drive and intricate sophisticatio

Cynthia Wagoner taught middle school and high school band for 27 years in Indiana before going back to school and becoming a music education professor at East Carolina University. Topics: Cynthia’s background growing up in Terra Haute, Indiana in a musical family and the story of how she became and oboe player involved in both orchestra and band. The importance of mentors and some of the important teachers in Cindy’s life and the lessons that she learned from them. Her experience as a young female band director in the early 1980’s and some of the topics she has to discuss with her female music education students to help prepare them for entering the profession. Cindy’s duties as an Associate Professor of Music Education at East Carolina University and some of the lessons she would like to pass on from observing student teachers. An extended discussion of teaching beginners and teaching sound to sight in both homogeneous and heterogeneous classes. Seven words or less. Links: Cynthia Wagoner Shostakovich: F

Danny Mesa is an Army musician, conductor, and drum major for the 25th Infantry Division Band in Hawai’i. Topics: Danny’s background growing up in Miami and some early teachers that helped him get his start and the lessons that they taught him. His first teaching job out of college and the decision to join the Army after just two years as a teacher. Danny’s role at the Army Music School and the nature of that program and how military musicians are recruited and trained. The Army bands, the musical activities of Danny’s unit, and his personal responsibilities as an Army musician. Links: United States Army Bands Maslanka: Child Garden of Dreams Hindemeth: Symphonic Metamorphosis Biography: A native of Miami, Danny is completing his 12th year of active duty service in the US Army. Currently stationed with the 25th Infantry Division Band, Army Music Hawaii, his roles and responsibilities include: performing as a trombonist, conductor, drum major, group leader and head of the training department. Prior to his

William Owens is a composer and music educator with over 200 works for band and 30 years of teaching experience. Topics: Willie’s background growing up in Gary, Indiana and the high school band teacher who changed his life. The story of how Willie ended up moving from Chicago to Brownsville, Texas and how that ended up shaping his entire career. How Willie got his start as a composer through arranging marching band music for a friend and how that grew into his terrific success as a composer. Willie’s association with TRN Music and the difficult decision to move over to FJH Music as his primary publisher. His process and procedure for writing a piece of music and what to expect if you wanted to commission Willie to write a piece of music for your band. Some wonderful advice for young composers or others who might want to write music for band. Links: William Owens, Composer Barnes: Symphony no. 3 Vaughn Williams: The Lark Ascending Owens: Tudor Sketches Owens: Carpathia Biography: William Owens (b. 1963) is