There is no shortcut to great ensemble resonance. After 30+ years of band directing, and more than 2 decades of ensemble adjudication, alongside attending and presenting band clinics, I find the one thing that eludes us as band directors is the concept of “ensemble sound.” People ask me often “How ... Read More about Diamond Balance – How to Get Better Clarity and Balance From Your Ensemble
Articles
Embracing Routine: A Path to Preventing Teacher Burnout
As we emerged from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, many educators began to recognize the deep-seated issues of teacher burnout that had long lingered beneath the surface. A staggering 44% of teachers report frequently feeling burned out, a sentiment exacerbated by the pressures of social ... Read More about Embracing Routine: A Path to Preventing Teacher Burnout
5 Reasons to Keep Performing and Exploring Music
The life of a band director is incredibly demanding. Many directors find balancing their professional responsibilities with maintaining an active performance life challenging, so they choose not to participate. However, other educators feel the opportunity to perform outside the classroom is ... Read More about 5 Reasons to Keep Performing and Exploring Music
Where’s the Beat? – How to Recruit a Rhythm Section for Jazz Band
With a jazz band, there are usually one or two factors that can intimidate or deter a director from really starting. One is improvisation. The other? Is the rhythm section. Today I will share some ideas, thoughts, and practices that have been effective in recruiting and retaining students in the ... Read More about Where’s the Beat? – How to Recruit a Rhythm Section for Jazz Band
Universal Design for Learning Approaches to Include ALL Band Students: From the Perspective of a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Band Director
Approximately 20% of Americans experience some level or type of hearing loss, and many of these individuals are musicians. The author of this article, a veteran middle school band director with moderate to severe hearing loss who has been wearing hearing aids for thirty years, will share applicable ... Read More about Universal Design for Learning Approaches to Include ALL Band Students: From the Perspective of a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Band Director
Yes They Can! Creating Success in Urban and Rural Environments
As we all know, serving as an educator is essential work, and often, educators pour as much of themselves into it as possible. This can be particularly true when working in challenging environments such as urban, rural, low socioeconomic, and Title 1 schools. We are passionate about the fact that ... Read More about Yes They Can! Creating Success in Urban and Rural Environments
