Band Hacks

Band Hacks episodes:

• 04.18.2024

  Adjudicators-Those People are Nuts!

  Doug and Jason swim into the murky waters of adjudication in the primarily "concert band" realm of things. This one is not for the faint of heart and examines both sides of the adjudicator/director perspectives. Get your popcorn ready! ...

  
• 12.19.2023

  Designers, Communication, and Explosives!

  Have you ever had a designer say or agree to one thing, and completely miss or blow the deadlines/expectations...then act like it was no big deal? Doug and Jason look closely at items to consider as you are in talks...

  
• 11.17.2023

  Considerations for Developing the Individual Musicians in Your Band Program

  Doug and Jason take a closer look at things to consider as we develop the individual student musicians in our band programs. Individual gains will pay enormous dividends in ensemble strength and performance.

  
• 09.28.2023

  Marching Band Show Reflective Analysis, Evaluation, and Refinement during Contest Season

  It is Marching Contest Season 2023! Doug and Jason take our listeners through reflective and critical evaluation techniques to consider and employ as you refine your contest show. This is not an exhaustive list, but is a great starting place...

  
• 08.22.2023

  Game Procedures and Reminders for Marching Band during Game Week!

  Doug and Jason take a detailed look at things to consider/plan as you prepare for your first football game! It's been a whole year...take a listen for some helpful reminders and Jason being Jason!

  
• 06.22.2023

  Band Boosters Part 2

  As promised, Doug and Jason go very "in depth" with Booster Operations, Spending, Transparency, Meetings, 501 c3, Tax Implications, as well as some reminders from the last episode. If you have never had a booster club, or want to start...

  
• 06.10.2023

  Band Boosters Part 1

  Doug and Jason take a deep dive into band boosters! Episode 1 takes a look at relationships, roles, governing documents, processes, procedures and perspective! This will be a two parter...we do scratch the surface of finances, but episode 2(in 2...

  
• 04.03.2023

  So you're the new Band Director...now what?

  Doug and Jason take a look at how best to enter a new job situation and dive into all the possible/potential landmines one might encounter along the way! If you are changing schools or just want a reminder of how...

  
• 01.27.2023

  Burnout, Contracts, Quiet Quitting, and Difficult Conversations with Supervisors

  Doug and Jason take a deep dive into band director burnout, employment contracts and expectations, quiet quitting, and having difficult conversations with your supervisor about workloads.  This episode looks at both extremes of the job from working so much that...

  
• 12.07.2022

  Marching Band Shows...Where do I begin?!

  Doug and Jason take a deep dive into developing your Marching Band show!  We try to offer some common sense ways to approach the scary parts of this design/discovery/research process.  If you are a young director or a director that...

  
• 11.04.2022

  Student Leadership with Dr. Sean Walker!

  Doug and Jason sit down with RCISD's Executive Director of Secondary Schools and Leadership Development, Dr. Sean Walker.  Dr. Walker takes us through his approach to leadership and how it can be managed with students and adults, for the betterment...

  
• 10.12.2022

  Managing Audition Expectations and Results with Reagan Brumley

  Doug and Jason have the opportunity to visit with Reagan Brumley, Director of Bands and Fine Arts Coordinator at Lake Highlands High School in Richardson ISD.  Reagan is also the current Vice President of the Texas Bandmasters Association.  This episode...

  
• 09.30.2022

  Managing Anxiety and Stress in our Profession

  Doug and Jason look at ways to manage the anxiety and stress that goes with our profession, both in general performance and competitive environments.  Nervous about contest, feel like things are not going great, need a break?  This episode is...

  
• 09.02.2022

  A Philosophical Approach to Apples and Oranges

  Have you ever said..."We will never be that good/big/wealthy/loud/" while comparing yourself to other ensembles(in any classification)?  Doug and Jason take a deep dive into defining success for programs, managing differences in classification and resources, and keeping the focus of...

  
• 08.17.2022

  Marching Band Percussion with Connor Pickle

  Doug and Jason welcome RCISD District Director of Percussion as our first guest of Band Hacks!  In this episode we ask Connor to give us some insight into his approach to marching percussion as well as the things we non...

  
• 07.19.2022

  Crazy Kids, Crazy Parents, Crazy Directors!

  Doug and Jason discuss all of the challenges and fun we experience in this small period of time leading up to summer band rehearsals!  This should help everyone start the marching season keeping the right things in perspective, while having...

  
• 06.28.2022

  Safety, Security, and Active Threats

  Doug and Jason take a close look at what to do in certain bus travel, weather, security and active threat scenarios.  Many topics in this episode, but all are very important in the current scope of our job as music...

  
• 05.26.2022

  End of Year Checklist/Show Design Considerations

  Doug and Jason dive deep into the "End of the Year" checklist and discuss at length end of year items to consider!  The other topic gets into addressing issues in show design, communicating with designers, and double checking music/drill before...

  
• 05.11.2022

  Overnight Trips with Students!

  Doug and Jason get into overnight trips with students, processes, procedures, current issues facing directors (such as unique rooming situations), chaperones and best practices for a smooth and safe trip!  Remember each situation is different and must be handled in...

  
• 04.20.2022

  Staff Dynamics!

  Doug and Jason dive into the perspectives of staff members as well as the lead director and ways to make sure we are all on the same page!  If you have ever had a challenging co-worker, this is a must...

  
• 03.31.2022

  The Interview! Job Seeking Part 2

  Doug and Jason dive deep into the Interview process!  A must listen for our younger friends!

  
• 03.17.2022

  Job Seeking Part 1

  Doug and Jason examine and reflect on things to consider when trying to get that first job interview or when searching for a job as a band director.  This is a must listen for our younger folks or anyone preparing...

  
• 03.10.2022

  Legal Land Mines for Band Directors Part 2

  Doug and Jason wrap up the second part of this two part series!  In this episode, we dive into the legal land mines of dealing with money, student transportation and travel, and the ins and outs of employee contracts(your responsibility...

  
• 02.17.2022

  Legal Landmines for Band Directors Part 1

  Doug and Jason dive into a number of potential legal "landmines" that we face as music educators.  We discuss appropriate communication, educator and student freedom of speech, audition procedures, FERPA, Handbooks, and social media.  This is Part 1 of what...

  
• 02.03.2022

  Cleaning Your Ensemble Before Contest/Evaluation!!!

  This episode dives into the things we should be addressing/considering in our stage music for contest/evaluation.  Great insight and reminders for those of you headed to contest in March!

  
• 01.28.2022

  Eliminating the Monotony in Rehearsal!

  Doug and Jason dive into the the challenges we face in keeping rehearsal relevant and engaging!  

  
• 01.20.2022

  Sightreading vs. The Band!!

  Doug and Jason discuss their approach to sightreading with their students and offer suggestions for practical ways to approach a UIL evaluation rather than simply "teaching to the contest."  Great advice for our younger friends!

  
• 01.12.2022

  Administrators!

  A MUST LISTEN for anyone that struggles with understanding how to work with their administrators.  A little longer than usual but a super important topic!

  
• 01.04.2022

  Contest/Evaluation Music Selection!

  Listen to Doug and Jason walk through their process for selecting music for contest/evaluation!

  
• 12.17.2021

  Beyond Band!

  You made it!  The semester is over!  Time to reflect and focus on things that are BEYOND BAND.  Easier said than done though right?  Join us!

  
• 12.09.2021

  Band Hacks: Tell Your Story!

  Doug and Jason dive into the concept of "Telling Your Story" in terms of marketing and promotion of your band program to your community!

  
• 12.02.2021

  Band Hacks...The Beginning

  Doug and Jason dive into their first episode discussing their education, careers, and challenges they have faced as young educators!  Come join us and let us know what you think!  This episode will be longer than most as we do...

  
• 11.21.2021

  Band Hacks Intro Trailer

  Catch our trailer before we drop our first episode after Thanksgiving!  Special thank you to Mr. Carlos Botello for our podcast music!