Everything Band Podcast

An instrumental music educator at Patrick March Middle School in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Chris Gleason was the 2017 Wisconsin Middle School Teacher of the Year, a finalist for the 2017 National Teacher of the Year and a semifinalist for the 2017 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. He joins the show to talk about his career, his commissioning program, and share some teaching wisdom. Topics: Growing up as the son of a band director, the lessons that he learned from his parents, and the story of applying for, and being selected as Wisconsin's "Teacher of the Year." The story of his high school band experience and the importance of the literature that we select as our curriculum. Anecdotes from some of the composers who Chris has commissioned. The value of commissioning new works and tips for educators to find funding. Chris' philosophy of "lighting fires" and his thoughts about what makes a good teacher including tips for young teachers and getting "beyond the notes." Links: Chris Gleason Erickson: Ballad Aire Tich