One of my favorite quotes is,"You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read." It's sometimes hard for people to believe that I read well over 40 books a year while teaching full time, raising a family and staying involved in ... Read More about How I (Easily) Read 40+ Books a Year as a Full Time Band Director
Articles
Flexible Flutes, Stronger Bands: How to Build Tone, Control, and Confidence through Daily Fundamentals
In many band warmups that I’ve seen, brass players begin the daily routine with exercises that encourage control and flexibility, while flutes and other woodwinds are stuck drilling articulation patterns and chromatic scales. Sound familiar? As a flutist and a band director, I have seen this ... Read More about Flexible Flutes, Stronger Bands: How to Build Tone, Control, and Confidence through Daily Fundamentals
Should I Plan My Own Band Trip?
For many band directors, organizing a band trip is a meaningful tradition—a chance to showcase your students’ talent, bond as a group, and create lifelong memories. But when it comes time to start working on logistics, a critical question arises: Should I plan this trip myself, or work with a ... Read More about Should I Plan My Own Band Trip?
5 TellTale Signs It’s Time to Replace vs. Repair Your Musical Instruments
Maintaining a healthy, functioning inventory of musical instruments is vital for any school fine arts program. From beginner bands to advanced orchestras, students need reliable tools to develop their skills. But school owned instruments endure heavy use—often by multiple students year after year. ... Read More about 5 TellTale Signs It’s Time to Replace vs. Repair Your Musical Instruments
Pitch Perfect: Finding the Sweet Spot
This article will offer a few truths and tips to help you and your ensemble get closer to pitch perfect. 1. Tone First —Always. Before you even touch a tuner, take a moment and listen. Is the tone quality characteristic? Focused? Supported? If your students aren’t producing a beautiful, ... Read More about Pitch Perfect: Finding the Sweet Spot
From Players to Leaders: Increasing Student Leadership in Your Program
What would you be able to accomplish with less on your plate? Would you be able to plan for better rehearsals? Would you be able to go home sooner? These are the questions I hope to answer by sparking this discussion on involving more leaders in your program. In recent years, I’ve re-structured my ... Read More about From Players to Leaders: Increasing Student Leadership in Your Program
