Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band

Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band episodes:

• 05.22.2024

  Summer Hiatus

  www.jamesdivine.net

  
• 05.01.2024

  Episode 265 - What To Do The Last 2 Weeks Of School

  Episode 265 - What To Do the Last 2 Weeks of School It’s important to keep the students engaged even after the final concert. Here are some strategies. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional...

  
• 04.24.2024

  Episode 264 - 11 Tips To Make The Music Sound Better

  Episode 263 - 11 Tips To Make The Music Sound Better Are you stuck on what to work on to improve the music? In this episode, I share 11 tips that you can use to help your group sound better....

  
• 04.17.2024

  Episode 263 - When Students Misbehave for the Sub

  Episode 263 - When Students Misbehave for the Sub Strategies and tips Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.  www.jamesdivine.net Has the show...

  
• 04.10.2024

  Episode 262 - Stop Comparing

  Episode 262 - Stop Comparing I struggled with self-esteem for many years - and I spent too many years comparing myself to other band directors. As Bob Newhart says, “Just Stop It.” Have a question for the podcast? Need...

  
• 04.03.2024

  Episode 261 - Throw Practice Sheets in the Trash

  Episode 261 - Throw Practice Sheets in the Trash In my opinion, they’re useless (except in one case). Find out what to do instead. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: ...

  
• 03.22.2024

  Update: Jazz From The Start Finally Ready

  Check it out here: https://www.jazzysaxman.com/courses-books-curriculum-and-more/ Get 50% off with code springbreak Expires March 31, 2024

  
• 03.20.2024

  Episode 260 - 6 Important Steps to Starting a Booster Organization

  Episode 260 - 6 Important Steps to Starting a Booster Organization Find out the HUGE mistake James made in his first booster group (which he had to disband). Learn how to delegate and how to set up a brand new...

  
• 03.13.2024

  Episode 259 - How To Start a Marching Band

  Episode 259 - How To Start a Marching Band I once started a marching band from scratch. Difficult? Yes, but very worthwhile. Here are 6 things to consider. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional...

  
• 03.06.2024

  Episode 258 - 15+ Warm-Up Ideas

  Episode 258 - 15+ Warm-up ideas Dr. Ray Cramer - retired from Indiana University - once told me we should call it “Ensemble Sensitivity Training” rather than warm-ups, because that is what we are doing. Here are 15+ ideas to...

  
• 02.28.2024

  Episode 257 - Win the hearts of the counselors

  Episode 257 - Win the hearts of the counselors The counselors are often as overworked and stressed as you are. Here are some tips to win them over.   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional...

  
• 02.21.2024

  Episode 256 - How To Properly Use Festival Warmup Time

  Episode 256 - How To Properly Use Festival Warm-up Time When I first started teaching, I thought 30 minutes for warm-up was too long. Over the years I’ve developed the perfect warm-up routine for my bands at festival.   Have...

  
• 02.07.2024

  Episode 255 - Band Teacher: You Are a Hero

  Episode 255 - Band Teacher: You Are a Hero I love to share a motivational speech in which I use my 105 year old sax, humor, music, and personal stories to let people know that - although they may be...

  
• 01.31.2024

  Episode 254 - Resources for Teaching Black History Month in the Music Classroom

  Episode 254 - Resources for Teaching Black History Month in the Music Classroom Swing Low Sweet ChariotWade in the WaterDuke EllingtonLouis ArmstrongBessie SmithChuck BerryLittle RichardSister Rosetta TharpeMarvin GayeAretha Franklin Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for...

  
• 01.24.2024

  Episode 253 - 4 Tips for Assessment and Feedback

  Episode 253 - 4 Tips for Assessment and Feedback Formative vs Summative Individual vs Ensemble Be Specific Record Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking...

  
• 01.17.2024

  Episode 252 - Band Repertoire Selection Tips

  Episode 252 In this episode, I share some tips on the dos and don'ts of repertoire selection. Be wary of doing music that’s too difficult! Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: ...

  
• 01.10.2024

  Episode 251 - HELP! I'm a band teacher teaching choir

  Episode 251 - It’s my privilege in this episode to interview one of my former students, Claire Dupre. Claire is a choral specialist who has also taught orchestra and band. She was the piano player in my jazz band and...

  
• 01.03.2024

  Episdoe 250 - Interview with Cece Roudabush of New Harmony Line

  In this episode, I interview Cece Roudabush, Director of Education for New Harmony Line. Hyperscore is their composition program that helps you teach composition, one of our music standards. It’s appropriate for all age levels. It uses an inverted pedagogy,...

  
• 12.20.2023

  Bonus Episode End of 2023

  Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.  www.jamesdivine.net Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount? Paypal ...

  
• 12.13.2023

  Episode 249 - Going To Midwest? Thoughts and Tips

  Are you going to Midwest? Here are some tips for how to dress, where to eat, what to do with your luggage, and a few places you might visit while there. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter...

  
• 12.06.2023

  Episode 248 - Discussion with Kyle Smith of The Growing Band Director Podcast

  This episode is a little different. I chat with fellow podcaster and band director Kyle Smith of The Growing Band Director podcast. We discuss several topics that can be of help to band directors. Subscribe to Kyle’s podcast here....

  
• 11.29.2023

  Episode 247 - 7 Strategies to Help Find Life Balance

  I burned out at 2 schools. I really struggled with learning balance. I finally discovered it at my 3rd school! In this episode I share 7 tips to help you find life balance. Avoid doing what I did! Link to...

  
• 11.15.2023

  Episode 246 - Incorporating a String Player Into Band

  Don’t be afraid of incorporating string players into your band program. I’m not talking about starting kids on strings. This episode provides helpful hints when a string player moves in - with experience - and there is no string program...

  
• 11.08.2023

  Episode 245 - Stop Writing on the Stands!

  Do you have problems with kids writing on the music stands? This episode can help. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193. List of Speaking Topics.  www.jamesdivine.net Has...

  
• 11.01.2023

  Episode 244 - How To Treat Adults and Kids Who Are Leaving

  You hear one of your colleagues is leaving, or a student has quit band and chose another class. How do you treat them? The short of it…the same. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development?...

  
• 10.25.2023

  Episode 243 - 5 Tips for Teaching Balance and Blend

  Balance and Blend can seem difficult to teach, but these 5 tips will get you going in the right direction. And you’ll be surprised at how much fixing balance and blend also fixes intonation. Have a question for the podcast?...

  
• 10.18.2023

  Episode 242 - When Is It Time To Leave a Position

  Deciding if it is time to leave is a very personal decision and not one to be taken lightly. Beware of receiving advice regarding this from people you don’t know on social media. Best to talk to someone who is...

  
• 10.11.2023

  Episode 241 - 5 Groups, 18 Songs, Less than 60 Minutes

  I often had 5 groups perform 18 songs in less than 60 minutes. It can be done! This episode tells you how. Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193....

  
• 10.04.2023

  Episode 240 - Sometimes Its Better NOT To Ask

  Are there times in your career when it’s best to move forward without asking permission? Yes, but do it cautiously.   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193. ...

  
• 09.27.2023

  Episode 239 - Teaching Music is a Triathlon Not a 50 Yard Dash

  Recently I competed in a triathlon. It consisted of a 1/2 mile swim, 17.2 mile bike ride, and 3.1 mile run. I learned several lessons that also apply to teaching music: Pace Yourself Take care of yourself Realize Your Weaknesses...

  
• 09.20.2023

  Episode 238 - 5 Things I Wish I Knew Years Ago

  There are things we learn by experience the hard way. You can be ahead of me and others by learning them through my experience.   Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here: ...

  
• 09.13.2023

  Episode 237 - Simplifying Grading- Should Band Be An Easy A

  I like to tell my students that it's easy to get an A in band, but it's not an easy A. An easy A means you get it just for showing up. Easy to get an A means you will...

  
• 09.06.2023

  Episode 236 - It Takes Just As Much Work

  It takes just as much work to take a band from a 1 to a 7 as it does to take a band from a 9 to a 9.2, but the director of the latter will probably get more recognition....

  
• 08.30.2023

  Episode 235: Dont Be Jealous of Others

  It’s so easy to become jealous of other directors. I struggled with this for many years. I finally stopped (mostly) about 5 years ago. Here’s hoping this will help you stop now. Have a question for the podcast? Need a...

  
• 08.23.2023

  Episode 234 - Teaching 2 Levels of Band in the Same Classroom

  Having both beginners and intermediate students in the same class at the same time is not ideal, but it can be done. In this epiosde I share some tips on how you can make it work. Have a question for...

  
• 08.16.2023

  Episode 233 - Tips For Reed Selection - Clarinet and Sax

  When suggesting reeds for sax and clarinet players, should you choose Vandoren, Rico, some other brand? What strength reed should you start students on? What reed should you avoid? More tips on How To Prevent Your Saxes From Sounding Like...

  
• 08.09.2023

  Episode 232 - How To Stay Organized

  Do you struggle with staying organized? In this episode, I share some strategies that may be helpful... Creat a Beginning of Year Task List Aim for inbox zero Binders and clipboards are your friend And more... Have a...

  
• 08.02.2023

  Episode 231 - Setting Boundaries and Saying No Nicely

  Remember Nancy Reagan’s theme from the 1980s to Just Say No to drugs? She was made fun of, but it is an effective strategy. You may not struggle with drugs, but I bet you do struggle with saying no! When...

  
• 05.10.2023

  Episode 230 - 10 Things To Do After The Final Concert

  Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com.   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5...

  
• 05.03.2023

  Episode 229 Tips For Final Rehearsals

  Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com.   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5...

  
• 03.22.2023

  Episode 228 - Interview with Scott Watson

  You have got to listen to this fantastic interview with Scott Watson! Scott is an experienced music teacher and composer. Besides his wonderful works like "Aesop's Fables: The Tortoise and the Hare, Extraordinary Machines of Clockwork and Steam," and more,...

  
• 03.08.2023

  Episode 227 - Tips For Teaching Clarinet

  Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com.   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5...

  
• 02.22.2023

  Episode 226 - Tips For Teaching Flute

  Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com.   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5...

  
• 02.08.2023

  Episode 225 - Tips For Teaching Brass

  Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com.   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5...

  
• 01.25.2023

  Episode 224 - Tips For Teaching Oboe and Bassoon

  Have a question for the podcast? Need a presenter for professional development? Contact me here:  [email protected] or 719-238-4193.   Need a music program software management system? Check out www.batonsync.com.   Get my FREE TRAINING, 7 Tips To Save 5...

  
• 01.11.2023

  Episode 223 - Interview with Adrian Gordon, Author of Note To Self

  Join me as I interview music educator and author Adrian Gordon.   Adrian is the author of “Note To Self: A Music Director’s Guide for Transitioning to a New School and Building a Thriving Music Program. Order the book and...

  
• 12.14.2022

  Episode 222 - Choosing Quality Wind Literature

  www.jamesdivine.net Here are a few things I have learned about selecting music for wind band… Ability Level of the Ensemble You Direct:  A piece of music may be the greatest creation ever made, but if it is too difficult for...

  
• 12.07.2022

  Episode 221 - Tube Socks, Giants, and a Teacher's Trust

  www.jamesdivine.net Have you ever had a teacher say or do something that had a huge impact on you for your entire life? I have had many of these opportunities.   Some teachers affect you in a negative way. I’ve had...

  
• 11.30.2022

  Episode 220 - 4 Tips to Being a Better Band Director Using the Acronym BAND

  There are four key areas that – if you focus on these and make them a priority – they can help you be a better band director. None of them have anything to do with music, but the word “BAND”...

  
• 11.18.2022

  Episode 219 - Interview with Baton Sync Creators Jennifer and Kris Antonetti

  Have you ever looked into a software management system for your band, one that can help you track inventory, budgets, uniforms, finances, lockers, ensemble lists and more? If so, you know how expensive it can be. Husband and wife team...