In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, your host Lesley Moffat sits down with Peter Sciaino, a band director with 27 years of experience and the creator of the United System. This innovative system is designed to provide greater flexibility and allow for differentiation in band or group lesson settings, addressing the challenge of teaching students with varying skill levels in the same class.

Peter shares his journey into music education and how he combined his passion for composing and arranging with his teaching career. He explains how the United System originated from his need to engage students of different abilities effectively and how it has evolved over time to become a comprehensive resource for band directors.

The United System is structured around units, each focusing on specific musical concepts. Peter discusses how this system not only helps students progress but also fosters motivation and independence. The color-coded levels, such as gold, silver, and bronze, create a sense of achievement and motivation among students.

Throughout the episode, Lesley and Peter emphasize the practicality of the United System, making it suitable for both full band classes and mixed lesson groups. Peter also highlights the system's spiral planning approach, ensuring that fundamental concepts are revisited regularly to reinforce learning.

To find out more about the United System, listeners can visit the Wingert-Jones website or reach out to Peter directly for additional resources and video tutorials.

Tune in to discover how the United System can revolutionize your teaching methods, engage students of all skill levels, and create a motivating and dynamic music education experience.

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat sits down with Lisa Ray, a veteran high school band director entering her 39th year of teaching. Lisa shares her insights and experiences on maintaining wellness while thriving in the demanding world of band directing. She emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself to prevent burnout and ensure longevity in the profession. Lisa discusses her journey to better health, including prioritizing sleep, making dietary changes, and committing to regular exercise. She also highlights the value of personal trainers in providing accountability and support for achieving fitness goals. Lisa's approach of focusing on two key tasks each day and finding a balance between work and personal life has led her to run the final years of her career with energy and passion.

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, your host Lesley Moffat welcomes Roger Fletcher, a composer and former band director with 30 years of experience. Roger has introduced a groundbreaking approach to music education through his creation of "tiered tunes." These tunes offer multiple levels of difficulty, enabling band directors to effectively teach students with varying abilities and skill levels within the same piece of music. Lesley and Roger discuss the origins of tiered tunes, their impact on student engagement and learning, and how they provide a fresh way to differentiate instruction while maintaining musical coherence. Roger also emphasizes the importance of self-care for new band directors and shares valuable insights for maintaining a sustainable and fulfilling career in music education. Check out lots of great stuff at www.rogerfletchermusic.com.

• Embracing Technology: Tucker discusses how the pandemic accelerated the integration of technology in music education, mentioning tools like SmartMusic and Sight Reading Factory. He emphasizes the importance of using technology efficiently to streamline tasks and enhance teaching.
• Prioritizing Wellness: Tucker stresses the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He advocates for band directors to prioritize self-care and personal well-being, reminding them that they're human beings too, not just educators. Taking breaks, setting boundaries, and nurturing one's passions outside of work are essential for long-term success.
• Navigating Change: Tucker addresses the inevitability of change in the band directing profession. Whether starting at a new school or adapting to evolving circumstances, he advises embracing change as an opportunity to learn and grow. He encourages directors to remember that different doesn't mean less than and to focus on the core goal of nurturing students' growth as musicians and individuals.

In this episode of Band Director Bootcamp, your host Lesley Moffat is joined by the King of Productivity and Wellness for band directors, Scott Rush. With over 28 years of experience as a band director, Scott Rush is the author of multiple books and a team lead for the Habits series at GIA Publications. Lesley and Scott discuss the journey that led Scott to become a band director and a prolific author, sharing valuable insights into habits that lead to success and well-being in the world of music education. Scott emphasizes the power of positive self-talk, the significance of staying connected to your mission, vision, and purpose, and offers a key habit for improved productivity: "Do, Dump, or Delegate." He also sheds light on fostering emotional health and mindset, reminding listeners of their unique ability to make a difference in young lives through their work. Scott's wisdom and practical advice are sure to resonate with busy band directors striving to maintain a harmonious balance in their professional and personal lives.

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Eric Combs, a veteran band director and author. Eric shares his journey from being a shy student to becoming a passionate band director. He reveals his innovative approach to lesson planning that has allowed his band program to flourish.

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes special guest Lia Poole, a band director with a unique perspective on balancing wellness and success in the field. Lia, who teaches at Corvallis High School in Oregon, shares her journey from an intense, tightly controlled approach to one that centers on self-care and delegation.Lia's story is a powerful reminder that the demanding nature of being a band director can often lead to burnout and neglect of personal well-being. She shares how she navigated the challenges of life, including her husband's battle with cancer and her role as a new mother, all while maintaining her band program.Despite facing immense personal and professional challenges, Lia adopted a new mindset: "Chill the **** out." She candidly discusses how this shift in perspective allowed her to prioritize her mental health, delegate responsibilities to students through innovative committee structures, and ultimately achieve remarkable results in her program. Lia's journey highlights the importance of finding balance and giving yourself grace, even in the face of adversity.Lia's experience offers valuable insights for band directors looking to improve their own wellness and program success. By embracing a more flexible and balanced approach, band directors can create a sustainable path to success while nurturing their own well-being.

1. Evaluate Without Judgment: Cori draws inspiration from the inner game of tennis, emphasizing the importance of evaluating without judgment. Just as she analyzes her tennis game without negative self-talk, Cori applies the same principle to her teaching. Instead of criticizing herself or students for mistakes, she focuses on specific improvement areas. This approach cultivates a positive and growth-oriented rehearsal environment.
2. Wooden-Style Coaching: Cori borrows from the coaching style of John Wooden, the renowned basketball coach. She adopts his concise and specific feedback approach: "Try, analyze, try again, analyze." Cori applies this method to her teaching, using memorable one-liners to efficiently guide students' musical growth. These succinct instructions help build a culture of constant improvement.
3. Sticky Note Mantra: Inspired by her love for tennis, Cori employs a "sticky note mantra" technique. She places a sticky note with the phrase "The music is here" on her music stand or computer during rehearsals. This mantra reminds her to stay present, focused, and fully engaged with her students. It serves as a visual cue to keep her attention on the music and students, enhancing the overall quality of the rehearsal.