Band is Everything (formerly Band in Minnesota)

Brad and Erin unpack their experience at the 2025 MMEA Midwinter Convention. It was three full days of concerts, professional development sessions, exhibits, networking, and fun! ATTEND YOUR STATE CONVENTION, regardless of how long you've been teaching, where you work, or what time of year it happens! GO LEARN AND GROW AND CONNECT!

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Band is Everything - It's all about band and it's not about band at all!

Bradley Mariska & Erin Holmes, hosts

A recent post of Brad's went viral for his thoughts about the music of James Swearingen.

Plus, a short discussion of school budgets and cuts to music.

WE'RE BACK, BABY!!!!

Hang out with Brad and Erin as they discuss end of the school year routines IN NATURE! It's our first ever episode recorded OUTDOORS because it was literally the perfect day!

We are so excited to chat with Dr. Roque Diaz from the Macphail Center for Music! Roque is the director of Macphail's diversity, equity, and inclusion program. He is also a first-generation Puerto Rican college graduate, a drum corps alumni (trumpet), community connector, general arts advocate, and a heck of a good dude. With a doctorate from the University of Minnesota, we are proud to now count Dr. Diaz as a true Minnesotan (he's lived here since 2016). If you don't know Roque, you need to! And here's your chance!

Band is Everything is hosted by band directors Bradley Mariska and Erin Holmes (Farmington High School, Farmington, Minnesota).

Hang out with Brad and Erin as they talk about their morning routines! Setting yourself up for a successful workday means having meaningful traditions each morning.

Plus our "What's On Your Stand" segment, featuring music by John Williams and Frank Ticheli.

Hosted by Bradley Mariska & Erin Holmes (Farmington High School, Farmington, Minnesota).

The podcast that's all about band - and not about band at all!

It's a whole episode previewing the 2024 MMEA Midwinter Convention, with special guest Dr. Adrian Davis, MMEA President!

Join co-hosts Bradley Mariska and Erin Holmes (Farmington High School) to find out why everyone is so excited for our annual convention - and why YOU should join us in person!

It's the middle of winter and we're talking about ways to beat the winter blues --- by talking movies, hockey, and lots of cool things happening here in the classroom!

In our "What's On Your Stand" segment, we highlight the music of Yukiko Nishimura ("Flying Away" and "Northern Lights") as well as "Whirlwind" by Jodie Blackshaw.

Thank you to our sponsors, Schmitt Music, ACDC Reeds, and GrandTours.

Hosted by Bradley Mariska and Erin Holmes, Farmington High School.

We are LIVE from Chicago at the Midwest Clinic 2023!

This is a truly special episode! We interview FIVE amazing band composers ... folks who have made important contributions to band in general but who are also on the program for the Farmington High School Wind Ensemble's upcoming performance at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter Conference!

We interview RANDALL STANDRIDGE, ERIKA SVANOE, VIET CUONG, MICHELE FERNÁNDEZ, AND BENJAMIN TAYLOR. Plus a bonus interview with Paul Kile, band director at Edina High School, who comissioned Randall Standridge's first symphony!

What a special episode for band directors and non band directors alike.

A special crossover episode with The Growing Band Director Podcast & host Kyle Smith!

The majority of our episode focuses on workload, job expectations, and work/life balance. We also have a *CLASSICS* edition of "What's on Your Stand" featuring the music of Morton Gould (specifically, the arrangement by Douglas Wagner), Frank Erickson (Air for Band), and Karl King (The Iowa Band Law March).

Join hosts Erin Holmes and Bradley Mariska, with guest Kyle Smith, as Band is Everything joins with The Growing Band Director Podcast to present a special crossover episode!

Episode 59: THANKSGIVING SPECIAL (or “The One Where We Don’t Talk About Band At All”)

It’s our first ever Thanksgiving Special! And we basically don’t talk about band at all!

We talk about the things and people for which we are thankful - special colleagues, friends, students, and colleagues who have been supporting us in the past year. 

We also have thoughts about Flat Earthers and people who yell at each other at school board meetings.

We talk about all things Thanksgiving-related: The Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Special, our favorite holiday foods and traditions, turkey hunting, and the classic film “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.” Brad even tries to sing the Thanksgiving hymn, “For the Beauty of the Earth.” Erin is not impressed.

Thank you to our sponsors: Grandtours, Schmitt Music, and ACDC Reeds. 

Join hosts Bradley Mariska and Erin Holmes (Farmington High School, Farmington Minnesota) for this special episode of Band is Everything. 

#Thanksgiving #Podcast #ThanksgivingSpecial #Thanksgiving2023