BandDirector, Author at Band Directors Talk Shop https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/author/banddirector/ Learn. Share. Inspire. Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:58:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2-2-150x150.png BandDirector, Author at Band Directors Talk Shop https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/author/banddirector/ 32 32 List of Jazz Musicians by Instrument for Middle and High School Students https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/list-of-jazz-musicians-by-instrument-for-middle-and-high-school-students/ https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/list-of-jazz-musicians-by-instrument-for-middle-and-high-school-students/#respond Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:58:08 +0000 https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/?p=14140 This excellent list of jazz musicians by instrument is perfect for your middle and high school students. It will expose them to a wide range of quality jazz music. This list was extracted from a comprehensive handout called “Strategies for Developing Jazz Improvisation in Beginning Jazz Students.” You can instantly download the entire handout HERE. ... Read More about List of Jazz Musicians by Instrument for Middle and High School Students

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]]> https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/list-of-jazz-musicians-by-instrument-for-middle-and-high-school-students/feed/ 0 How Do You Launch A Band Trip? https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/how-do-you-launch-a-band-trip/ https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/how-do-you-launch-a-band-trip/#respond Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:00:45 +0000 https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/?p=14068 How Do You Launch A Band Trip? The school year is rapidly coming to a close, and you may have just returned from a Spring trip with your band. As a result, you may be thinking of where your band should go next Spring and how you can help even more students be a part ... Read More about How Do You Launch A Band Trip?

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]]> https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/how-do-you-launch-a-band-trip/feed/ 0 A Second Technique to Help Students Overcome Performance Anxiety: Power Pose https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/help-students-overcome-performance-anxiety-power-pose/ https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/help-students-overcome-performance-anxiety-power-pose/#respond Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:54:27 +0000 https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/?p=14017 After I’ve taught kids all about their “inner superpower” (which you can read about here), the next step is the help them learn to further handle the physical aspects of performance anxiety in the moments before a big performance. This lesson is taken from the wonderful TED talk by Amy Cuddy. More on that in ... Read More about A Second Technique to Help Students Overcome Performance Anxiety: Power Pose

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]]> https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/help-students-overcome-performance-anxiety-power-pose/feed/ 0 One Technique to Help Band Students Overcome Performance Anxiety: Inner Superhero https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/how-to-help-band-students-overcome-performance-anxiety/ https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/how-to-help-band-students-overcome-performance-anxiety/#respond Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:25:21 +0000 https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/?p=14010 Here’s one concrete technique to help band students overcome performance anxiety. I usually teach this concept to 6th grade beginners in the spring so they can continue to utilize it as they get older and have higher stakes performances. This is how I explain it to a class: So, solo performances are next week. It’s ... Read More about One Technique to Help Band Students Overcome Performance Anxiety: Inner Superhero

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]]> https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/how-to-help-band-students-overcome-performance-anxiety/feed/ 0 What Should You Do With Your Band’s Baggage? https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/what-should-you-do-with-your-bands-baggage/ https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/what-should-you-do-with-your-bands-baggage/#respond Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:24:13 +0000 https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/?p=13913 Let’s face it: your band has baggage. Not the emotional drama kind (though a couple of band parents probably have that too) we’re talking about literally transporting all the stuff you’ll need when traveling by plane. With Spring Break right around the corner, you may be wondering about the most cost-effective way to get your ... Read More about What Should You Do With Your Band’s Baggage?

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]]> https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/what-should-you-do-with-your-bands-baggage/feed/ 0 Fixed vs. Growth Mindset: What Carol Dweck’s Research Means for Band Directors https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/fixed-vs-growth-mindset-what-carol-dwecks-research-means-for-band-directors/ https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/fixed-vs-growth-mindset-what-carol-dwecks-research-means-for-band-directors/#respond Fri, 02 Jan 2026 17:45:13 +0000 https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/?p=13963   Carol Dweck, a Stanford psychologist, explains how our beliefs about our abilities shape our success. Her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, centers around two core mindsets: Fixed Mindset People with a fixed mindset believe their intelligence, talent, and abilities are static. They avoid challenges, give up easily, and see effort as pointless. ... Read More about Fixed vs. Growth Mindset: What Carol Dweck’s Research Means for Band Directors

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]]> https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/fixed-vs-growth-mindset-what-carol-dwecks-research-means-for-band-directors/feed/ 0 7 Ideas to Reinvent-Revitalize-Rejuice Your Program’s Handbook https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/7-ideas-to-reinvent-revitalize-rejuice-your-handbook-blog-article-cuttime/ https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/7-ideas-to-reinvent-revitalize-rejuice-your-handbook-blog-article-cuttime/#respond Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:49:54 +0000 https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/?p=13785 Handbooks. An absolutely ‘necessary tool’ for classroom success or a completely ‘antiquated practice’ you’d sooner just skip? I’m guessing you’ve probably identified with both of these camps at some point in your teaching career. On the one hand, a program handbook is truly ground zero for communicating your expectations and procedures in and outside the ... Read More about 7 Ideas to Reinvent-Revitalize-Rejuice Your Program’s Handbook

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]]> https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/7-ideas-to-reinvent-revitalize-rejuice-your-handbook-blog-article-cuttime/feed/ 0 The Best Unique Gifts for Band Directors (Practical gifts they will love!) https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/the-best-unique-gifts-for-band-directors-practical-gifts-they-will-love/ https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/the-best-unique-gifts-for-band-directors-practical-gifts-they-will-love/#respond Sat, 15 Nov 2025 03:23:47 +0000 https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/?p=13848 Here are a variety of our best, unique gift ideas for band directors. Practical gifts they will love and use for years.   For the band director who loves coffee during the day: Single serve coffee maker        And this one will keep it warm until they can actually drink it: Mug warmer ... Read More about The Best Unique Gifts for Band Directors (Practical gifts they will love!)

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]]> https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/the-best-unique-gifts-for-band-directors-practical-gifts-they-will-love/feed/ 0 How I (Easily) Read 40+ Books a Year as a Full Time Band Director https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/how-i-easily-read-40-books-a-year-as-a-full-time-band-director/ https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/how-i-easily-read-40-books-a-year-as-a-full-time-band-director/#respond Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:22:09 +0000 https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/?p=13861 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 ... Read More about How I (Easily) Read 40+ Books a Year as a Full Time Band Director

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]]> https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/how-i-easily-read-40-books-a-year-as-a-full-time-band-director/feed/ 0 Should I Plan My Own Band Trip? https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/should-i-plan-my-own-band-trip/ https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/should-i-plan-my-own-band-trip/#respond Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:46:10 +0000 https://banddirectorstalkshop.com/?p=13793 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 professional group travel company? Green ... Read More about Should I Plan My Own Band Trip?

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