Everything Band Podcast

Corey Pompey is the director of athletic bands and associate director of bands at the University of Wisconsin. Topics: Corey’s background and how he started with violin, switched to cello, then trumpet, and then finally the saxophone. Corey’s experiences as an undergraduate at the University of Alabama and as a member and drum major of the “Million Dollar Band.” Corey’s K-12 teaching experience and his doctorate at the University of Texas as a student of Jerry Junkin. The importance of marching band and what great marching programs have in common with each other. The marching program at the University of Wisconsin and taking over for Mike Leckrone and becoming only the second marching band director since 1969! Links: Corey Pompey Corey dances the polka! Holst: First Suite in E-flat Biography: In the spring of 2019, Corey Pompey was appointed associate director of bands at UW-Madison, succeeding longtime director Mike Leckrone. Most recently, Dr. Pompey was assistant professor of music, associate director

Michael Hudson is Associate Professor of Music Education and serves as chair of the music education and music therapy division at the University of Kentucky. Topics: Michael’s background growing up in Florida and the influence of his middle school band director. The importance of music ensembles as a social place and community for adolescents. Coming back to music education after earning and undergraduate degree in trombone performance at Florida State University. Michael’s position and responsibilities at the University of Kentucky. Thoughts about pacing and classroom management. Links: Michael Hudson Maslanka: Symphony No. 4 Biography: Michael W. Hudson is an Associate Professor of Music Education (instrumental) and serves as chair of the music education and music therapy division at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Hudson teaches undergraduate courses in secondary instrumental music pedagogy, instrumental ensemble conducting, and oversees the music education student teacher program. Additional teaching

Darcy Vogt Williams is the head band director at Stiles Middle School in Leander, Texas. She is also a host of the After Sectionals podcast and the author or co-author of three books on education: Count Me In, Teaching Rhythm Logically and Pacing for Success: Beginner Band. Topics: Darcy’s superhero origin story as the daughter of two musicians who went to college to be an architect before discovering that music was her true calling. Teaching Rhythm Logically Darcy’s relationship with her father who was also her high school band director and the importance of making each student feel really confident and important to the band’s success. The band program at Stiles Middle School, in defense of ability splitting large beginner classes, front loading music theory, and the importance of teaching beginners. Links: Darcy Vogt Williams Stiles Middle School Band Teaching Rhythm Logically Pacing for Success: Beginning Band Balmages: Moscow 1941 Wagner: Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral Biography: Darcy Williams

Heather Hoefle is a composer and longtime band director in the Chicagoland area. After years of arranging and rewriting music for her students, she recently began writing her own music, and has had terrific success with pieces published by RWS Music and Kjos Music. Topics: Heather’s teaching job in the suburbs of Chicago, her musical background growing up in the Indianapolis area, and the story of two influential teachers. What her first year teaching at seven different school each week taught Heather about the importance of school culture and the story of some of her other early teaching gigs. The importance of being authentic as a teacher. The story of how Heather got a late start as a composer, her recent success, and the people she turns to for critical advice during the creative process. Biography Heather Archer Hoefle is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana with degrees in Flute Performance and Audio Technology. She earned her educational c

Renee Todd is the band director at Ligon GT Magnet Middle School in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2019-20 the Ligon Wind Ensemble was selected to perform in the Music For All National Concert Festival and the Jazz Ensemble at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Topics: Renee’s background as a trumpet player and her studies at the University of Maryland. Renee’s first couple of teaching jobs and how she stayed patient until she ended up in her current position at Ligon GT Magnet Middle school. The process of preparing to take her jazz ensemble to Midwest Clinic and some thoughts about teaching jazz in the middle school. Links: Ligon MT Bands Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy Mackey: Sheltering Sky Cait Nishimura: Chasing Sunlight Biography: Renee Todd is currently in her eighth year as Director of Bands at Ligon GT Magnet Middle School and twenty-seventh year of teaching music. Under the direction of Ms. Todd, the Ligon Band program has grown to over 230 band members, with four wind bands and a ja

Matthew Arau is the Chair of the Music Education Department and Associate Director of Bands at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin. He also teaches conducting at the American Band College and student leadership at numerous clinics and academies.  Topics: How a tennis racket, some empty Baskin Robbins tubs, and a 6th grade Dixieland group launched a musical career. The tremendous program at Rio Americano High School in Sacramento, California and Matthew’s appearance on the Mickey Mouse Club Show with his own Dixieland group. Thoughts about building a culture of excellence in a band program. Matthew's experience as an undergraduate at Lawrence University where he earned a quadruple degree! Early teaching in Colorado and how it ultimately led to his current position as the Director of Bands at Lawrence University. Thoughts on leadership and how to create servant leaders in your band program. Links: Matthew Arau at Lawrence University Matthew Arau - Conn-Selmer Clinician Rio A

Patrick Dunnigan is the Director of Bands at Florida State University where he directs several concert bands and the Marching Chiefs. He also teaches courses in conducting, literature, and music education. Topics: The story of how Patrick got his start and how a guitar as a kid helped him develop some of the hearing and writing skills that have helped him throughout his career as a music educator. Patrick’s position at Florida State and a story of an empowering encounter with Phillip Glass. Thoughts about what defines an artist, advice from two legendary music educators, and what we should be aspiring towards as musicians and teachers. Links: Patrick Dunnigan The Marching Chiefs Schwantner: ...and the mountains rising nowhere Archer: Symphony No. 1 "for those taken too soon" The Danserye Biography: Patrick Dunnigan is Director of Bands and Professor of Music at The Florida State University College of Music. A member of the FSU faculty since 1991, Dr. Dunnigan is the principal conductor and music director

Joseph Kreines is a legendary conductor in Florida and co-author of Music for Concert Band.  Topics: Joseph’s background in music and how a Chicago Symphony Orchestra concert featuring Artur Rubinstein inspired his career as a musician. How he came to Florida as the Assistant Conductor of the Florida Orchestra and his first steps as a conductor and clinician for young bands and orchestras in the state. The story of how, as a young conductor he caught the attention of the faculty at Tanglewood, including Lukas Foss and Aaron Copland. Advice for score study when approaching an unfamiliar work. A discussion of the works on his first Florida All-State Concert band and a more generalized discussion about literature. Links: Joseph Kreines Alfred Music Music for Concert Band Ruggles: Lilacs Carter: Capitol Hill March Glière: Symphony No. 3 'Ilya Muromets' Ribble: Bennet’s Triumphal Willan: Royce Hall Suite Biography: A native of Chicago, Joseph Kreines came to Florida as associate conductor of the Florida Symph

Wendy Higdon is the award winning Director of Bands at Creekside Middle School in Carmel, Indiana. Under her baton the Wind Symphony at Creekside has performed at numerous venues, including the Midwest Clinic. Wendy is also the creator and owner of the music education website “On and Off the Podium." Topics: Wendy’s background as a musician and her influences as a teacher. Some of the structures and procedures that Wendy uses in her classroom to achieve success and the importance of being yourself. Tips for recruitment and retention and a conversation about assessment and using “Band Karate.” The organization of the Creekside Middle School band program. Links: Wendy Higdon On and Off the Podium Musical Mastery Essential Musicianship for Band Grainger: Irish Tune Biography: Wendy Higdon is the Director of Bands and Performing Arts Department Chair at Creekside Middle School in Carmel, Indiana.  Under her direction, the Creekside Wind Symphony was honored to perform at The Midwest International Band and Or

Thomas Fraschillo was the longtime director of bands at the University of Southern Mississippi and is a past president of the American Bandmasters Association. Topics: Tom’s background growing in a small town in Northern Mississippi and the story of how he got a late start as a young musician. Some of the people who influenced his career and the wisdom he learned from those educators. The band programs at Meridien High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. Regionalism in school band programs and traditions around the country and the success of the major universities in the Southeast. Tom’s work with wind bands in Italy and the interviews in the ADA archives at the University of Maryland. Links: Thomas Fraschillo American Bandmasters Recordings Zaninelli: Roma Sacra Biography: Thomas V. Fraschillo, DMA, has served as a catalyst and mentor for members of the teaching profession. His high standards of performance have had a sustained influence on ensembles at every level, and his performances s

Thomas Leslie has been the Director of Bands at the University of Nevada Las Vegas since 1985. He has enjoyed tremendous success as a band director at each stop of his career and is a past president of the American Bandmasters Association. Topics: Tom’s background growing up in Iowa and the story of his high school music teacher Charles Kreeb through his musical education at the University of Iowa. Stories from his teaching career and a funny anecdote about being interviewed for his current position at UNLV. Some thoughts about leadership and how we can foster this skill in our students. The program at UNLV, commissioning composers, and the benefit of being located in Las Vegas. Links: Tom Leslie at UNLV Bruce Broughton Schoenberg: Theme and Variations Op. 43a Biography: As Director of the Division of Wind Band Studies and Professor of Conducting, Thomas Leslie has earned recognition for high quality performances of the UNLV Bands receiving critical acclaim from members of the international music world in

Olin Hannum is the Director of Athletic Bands at Oregon State University and one of the hosts of the AMusEd: A Music Educator’s Podcast. He joins the show to talk about the program at Oregon State and share his thoughts about developing student leaders. Topics: Olin’s background growing up in Northern California as a horn player. What his job at Oregon State looks like and the challenges he faces in that position including a discussion of OSU’s football fortunes, the types of athletic events the band program supports, and a geography lesson. Some of the ways that the Oregon State Bands use Google Sheets to to stay organized and to automate the mundane tasks required to organize such a large organization. A discussion student leadership and motivation. Olin’s own compositions, the importance of original arrangements for college bands, and a brief discussion of copyright and licensing and why things have changed in recent years. Links: Olin Hannum Oregon State Bands John Wooden: On Leadership Hearshen: Symp

Alex Kaminsky is the newly appointed Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Music. He has had tremendous success at every stop of his teaching career, including most recently at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Topics: Alex’s early experiences in music including Melvin Baker, his exceptional high school band director and the lessons that he learned from him. Alex's early career and some of the experiences that led him to later success as a band director. Some thoughts about building excellence in your band program. How the school shooting at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School affected his band and the role that music played in helping students move on from that tragedy. Links: Alex Kaminsky at VanderCook College of Music Wood: Mannin Veen Stamp: Gavorkna Fanfare Mahler: Symphony no. 3 Biography: Alexander Kaminsky was appointed Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at VanderCook College of Music in 2019 after a highly successful tenure at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Park

Chip De Stefano is an arranger, composer, and the longtime band director at McCracken Middle School in Skokie, Illinois. Under his direction, the bands at McCracken have won numerous awards and have twice been invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic. Topics: Chip’s background and important early experiences in music. The decision to become a music teacher and the support that he receives from his administration and support at McCracken Middle School. Thoughts about creating excellence and some programs that Chip uses as models for his program. The band program at McCracken Middle School. Chip’s experiences at Northwestern. The value of commissions and some of the composers with whom Chip and his students have worked. Links: Chip De Stefano McCracken Middle School Band Ives: Variations on America Persichetti: Symphony No.6 "Symphony for Band" Band Director Workshop at McCracken Middle School All Illinois Junior Band Biography: Chip De Stefano received both his Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance and

Dale Trumbore is a successful composer and the author of the recently released book Staying Composed: Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt Within a Creative Life. She joins the show to talk about her career, her music, and to talk about issues related to anxiety for musicians. Topics: Dale’s background and her journey to becoming a full time composer, including some lessons learned from an influential teacher. Dale’s career as a composer including her choral music, how she finds text to set, and the value she sees for students who are part of commissions. A long discussion about anxiety and strategies for coping with it in a creative career. Some actionable tips for working through creative blocks. Links: Dale Trumbore, Composer Staying Composed: Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt Within a Creative Life Trumbore: In the Middle Yoga with Adriene Messiaen: O Sacrum Convivium Biography: Dale Trumbore is a Los Angeles-based composer and writer whose music has been praised by The New York Times for its "soaring me

Lori Schwartz Reichl has parlayed her experience as a successful band director in Pennsylvania and Maryland into a remarkable portfolio career that includes being an author, clinician, adjudicator, conductor, and speaker. Topics: Lori’s background growing up in an extremely musical family and the experience of having her father as her high school band director. Thoughts about how to build your community, including specific tips for working with teaching colleagues, staff, and administrators. Tips for classroom management, thoughts about how we define success in our careers as musicians, and the work Lori does with the Regional Repertory Wind Ensemble. Lori’s work writing for In Tune Monthly Magazine and Teaching Music Magazine. Links: Lori Schwartz Reichl Making Key Changes In Tune Monthly Teaching Music Magazine NafME Music in a Minuet Biography: Lori Schwartz Reichl (b. 1978) is a champion of mentorship and motivation in music education. Lori actively serves as an adjudicator, clinician, conductor, priv

Arris Golden is the assistant director of bands and associate director of the Spartan Marching Band at Michigan State University. Topics: Arris’ background and thoughts about having the same band director for 6 years. How during her 18 years teaching middle school, Arris was able to bring meaningful experiences to her students through commissions and collaborations. Building a network of colleagues and surrounding ourselves with mentors and peers who can help us grow and improve as teachers. The transition from teaching middle school to earning her doctorate and teaching at Michigan State University. Links: Arris Golden LaPlante: Praire Songs Dahl: Sinfonietta Biography: Beginning July 2018, Arris Golden is the assistant director of bands and associate director of the Spartan Marching Band at Michigan State University. Before joining the faculty at Michigan State University, Golden was a member of the conducting faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and served as the assistant directo

John Denis is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Texas State University. He has 8 years of teaching experience as a high school and middle school band director in Texas and is the host of the Program Notes: The Beginning Band Director Podcast. Topics: John’s background growing up West of Fort Worth and thoughts about why he became a teacher. Some advice for young teachers who might be discouraged or burnt out in their first years of teaching. The music education program at Texas State University. Best practices for classroom management and a serious in-depth discussion of teaching beginning band. Finding a music teaching job in Texas. Links: John Denis Program Notes: The Beginning Band Director Podcast For Clarinets Only by Marilyn Mattei Intelligent Music Teaching by Robert A. Duke Bocal Majority Method Books Teaching Rhythm Logically by Darcy Vogt Williams Grainger: Molly on the Shore Biography: John Denis, Assistant Professor of Music at Texas State University, has 8 years of Texas band dir

Colonel Arnald Gabriel is among the most distinguished members of our profession, having been the commander and conductor of the United States Air Force band from 1964-1985.  Topics: Colonel Gabriel’s early musical experiences and the story of Burton Stanley, the high school band director who pushed him to college after his return from serving in the Second World War. The story of re-joining the service during the Korean War, this time as a conductor in the Air Force Some of the remarkable events that helped shape his career and his accomplishments at the conductor of the Air Force Band. Colonel Gabriel’s most important bit of wisdom for band directors. Anecdotes from his career, including the story of Claude T. Smith’s Festival Variations and playing for Pope John Paul II in Rome. Links: Colonel Arnald Gabriel Smith: Fantasy Variations Gershwin Fantasy, arr. Martino Biography: Col. Arnald D. Gabriel retired from the United States Air Force in 1985 following a distinguished 36 year military career, at whi

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser is among the most important advocates and leaders in the music education community. He is a co-author of the Essential Elements series and the Vice President of Education for Conn-Selmer, Inc. and he joined the show for a broad discussion about teaching and music education. Topics: Dr. Tim’s background and wisdom and a treasure trove of useful quotes, including: “Successful people don’t know how to not be successful.” “The only way to fail is to give up” “Persistence alone is omnipotent” “If it comes between being right and being kind, choose kind” “If you want to get people to follow you, put the emphasis on them” “You can take any situation and make something positive out of it, or you can just let it sit and rot there in front of you” “We all have 24 hours in a day, what do we do with it?” “Every problem comes back to the human ego” “Our toughest students make us the best teachers” “Motivation comes after, not before” “People only hear and understand what’s relevant to their perceiv