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This week's guest is John Mackey. It is worth the listen even with the three hosts still involved. Yet, it is important to note an interesting development -  the software we use to produce this podcast now offers AI episode summary and "takeaways". This week's takeaways were too good not to share:

Takeaways

• Sometimes it's necessary to hide in a closet to escape from family or visitors
• Jazz Fest can be a fun and memorable experience
• Having an openable window in a closet is unusual
• Skipping school for a celebrity autograph can lead to unexpected consequences
• Being impeached from high school drama club can be a memorable experience
• Juilliard does not have an athletics division
• Sequencing music on a Commodore 64 computer was a popular activity in the past
• Writing for different ensembles requires different techniques and considerations.
• Composing for young bands can be challenging due to limited technique and vocabulary.
• The Mystery Guest values the input and ideas of young musicians in the composition process.
• Writing for drum corps is a new and exciting experience for the Mystery Guest. 
• The Guest would win a race versus Brian Balmages at Midwest given his planking ability. 
• Tshirt cannons might get people to visit the Beyond ArtLess Booth at Midwest.
• Choosing a story to base a composition on can be difficult, especially when there are many great options
• Encouraging creativity in students is important and can lead to great musical ideas
• Medication for ADHD can have a positive impact on focus and productivity

Not bad AI....not bad.

Show Links:
John's Website: https://www.johnmackey.com/
World Premiere of "Lightning Field" by 2015 Patrick Marsh 7th Grade Band

• Want to find out more about the Beyond The Notes Festival  Click here to learn more.  
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If you can make it through today's banter which covers hockey skate sharpening, lawn care, tea parties, and changing a tires, you are in for a treat. Today we welcome the "Mandan Dynasty" Jon & Sara Baumann.  John and Sarah Bauman, are music educators from Mandan, North Dakota, known for their contributions to the All State Band Program and their successful music programs at the high school and middle school levels. Sarah and John discuss their middle school and high school band programs, including the opportunities and challenges they face. They emphasize the importance of alignment between the two programs and the benefits of joint concerts and collaborations. They also talk about their commitment to service, organizing band festivals and providing opportunities for students from other schools. And yes, we find time to talk about the TV show Dynasty as well as Dallas, Air Wolf, and Knight Rider. 

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Shortest Show Ever!! You are welcome!  See you next week with TWO fabulous guests!

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Well they said it would never happen --Erin Gleason, fabulous music educator, flautist, and spouse of Chris, in a moment of weakness or sympathy, joins us on the show. In an episode that could be subtitled, "tell us what you really think", Erin gives us her honest opinion of the show, grills, clutter, bad banter, and band-o-ramas.  In what some might call a "revealing" episode you will learn more about this great teacher, parent, and human. 

• Want to find out more about the Beyond The Notes Festival  Click here to learn more.  
• Registration for ComMission Possible 2025 CLOSES TOMORROW (APRIL 15) Click here to register & learn more. 
• Registration for the 2025 Beyond The Notes Festivals will take place Monday, April 22 at 8 PM on the BTN Website. 

Got a question or comment?  Submit it here or email us at [email protected]

Clips:
Rocket's Called a Trash Panda in Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' (2017)

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After a well-deserved break from us, we are back to interrupt your life with more mind-numbing banter. This week, we have no guests……but wait….before you hit the delete button consider listening to this episode featuring some of our favorite moments over the past two years. As you will hear in our pre-banter banter, we hesitate to call this a “best of” episode as the term "best" doesn’t apply to this podcast. Instead, think of this as a "choose your own adventure" without any choice. Enjoy?

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Here to celebrate St. Patrick's Day is our favorite Irish loving composer, Michael Sweeney! Even our below average banter session didn't sway Michael from sharing a wonderful hour looking back at his start as a musician and composer. We get his perspective on what has changed in composition over the course of his career and learn more about the Hal Leonard Corporation. A St. Patty's Day Episode wouldn't be complete without Michael Sweeney playing some tin whistles as well! In this episode we also make a BIG announcement regarding our plans for the next Midwest Clinic.  Also, our tshirt campaign ends soon on March 30. Get your Beyond ArtLess shirts now and help keep Peter from falling off more stages. 

• Learn more about Michael Sweeney and his music here. 
• Want to find out more about the Beyond The Notes Festival  Click here to learn more.  
• Registration for ComMission Possible 2025 is now open! Click here to register & learn more. 
• Registration for the 2025 Beyond The Notes Festivals will take place Monday, April 22 at 8 PM on the BTN Website. 
• Got a question or comment?  Submit it here or email us at [email protected]

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In this episode of Beyond Artless, we sit down with the remarkable Dr. Shauna Pickens, an esteemed educator/conductor, trombonist, and Professor at Texas Tech University. Once we get the trombone jokes out of the way, we learn a lot from Dr. Pickens about her later journey through music education, teaching in a low SES school, mentors, and her support for a music education for ALL! We even have a rare interruption from Grandma Juli and Erika who want to say hello to Peter’s former colleague. Tune in for captivating conversations from Shauna Pickens full of profound insights into the transformative power of music education for all ages of teachers, as well as long-winded questions and generally unprofessional behavior from Peter and Phil.

Shauna Pickens Bio
History of Pflugerville
Peter Ugly Sweater Picts

"Mosaic" by Michael Tippett performed by Cincinnati Wind Symphony: In Concert
Symphony #2 by Jim Stephenson performed by the United States "President's Own" Marine Band

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Want to find out more about the Beyond The Notes Festival  Click here to learn more. 

Registration for ComMission Possible 2025 is now open! Click here to register & learn more. 

Registration for the 2025 Beyond The Notes Festivals will take place Monday, April 22 at 8 PM on the BTN Website. 

Got a question or comment?  Submit it here or email us at [email protected]

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The competition for dullest pre-guest banter continues on.  Following closely behind pre-guest banter is dull post-guest banter.  Thankfully, we’re able to steal Peter away from his tour for a few minutes.  Chris and Phil have nothing important to be stolen away from.

Our guest this week is clearly the most comfortable commentator we have ever had on the podcast.  Pete Winslow’s sports broadcasting skills are impressive and his trombone playing is excellent despite his college teacher (Phil).  He is a member of the US Power Soccer National Team and recently medaled at the 2023 world cup in Australia.  In fact, Pete was the assist leader for the entire world cup tourney, earning him the nickname “The Mailman.”  We have correlating suggestions for nicknames for Peter “The Muppet Man,” Phil “The Malodorous Man,” and Chris “The Mediocre Man.”

Join us as we listen to Pete’s story growing up in a musical household, early days playing power soccer and college road trip memories.

• https://www.powersoccerteamusa.org/roster/pete-winslow/
• https://www.fox9.com/news/minnesotans-to-represent-us-at-power-soccer-world-cup-in-australia
• https://www.spectatornews.com/top-stories/2014/11/powering-through-life-one-goal-at-a-time/
• https://youtu.be/mTaANY9YrLw?si=QypsTfM_0sOhyeuU
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxvFha9Jzsw
• Want to find out more about the Beyond The Notes Festival  Click here to learn more.  
• Registration for ComMission Possible 2025 is now open! Click here to register & learn more. 
• Registration for the 2025 Beyond The Notes Festivals will take place Monday, April 22 at 8 PM on the BTN Website. 
• Got a question or comment?  Submit it here or email us at [email protected]
• Support the show here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2097721/supporters/new
• BUY ARTLESS SWAG HERE (limited time - Sales Ends March 30, 2024) 

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Ever wonder who organizes that big get-together during the holidays? No, I’m not talking about your family’s holiday bash at your Uncle Louie’s house. I’m talking about the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Kelly Bell is the Executive Director of the Midwest Clinic. She joins us for a wonderful chat about the inner workings of the Clinic, her time at Conn Selmer, mentors like Dr. Tim, and our request for a booth and a t-shirt canon at next year’s Midwest (this also involves a race between John Mackey and Brian Balmages.) Throw in some original music by Paul Budde, and you have a fantastic show (well…fantastic might not be the exact word). 

Learn More About Kelly

Learn More About The Midwest Clinic

Learn More About The Conn Selmer Institute

Clips Used:

Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment present a Brian Grazer production ; a Tom Shadyac film ; written by Paul Guay & Stephen Mazur ; produced by Brian Grazer ; directed by Tom Shadyac. Liar Liar. Universal City, CA :Universal, 1999.

“Kings Row: Finale” by Erich Wolfgang Korngold performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra on the “Big Screen Sound” Album, 1984. 

Want to find out more about the Beyond The Notes Festival  Click here to learn more. 

Registration for ComMission Possible 2025 is now open! Click here to register & learn more. 

Registration for the 2025 Beyond The Notes Festivals will take place Monday, April 22 at 8 PM on the BTN Website. 

Got a question or comment?  Submit it here or email us at [email protected]

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In celebration of the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference this past week, we are pleased to have the fantastic Minnesota music educator Paul Kile with us. Paul shares his upbringing, including the LaCrosse Boys Choir, cymbals, and a skiff (you'll just have to listen). We talk about his amazing work teaching high school band at Edina High School as well as his leadership roles in multiple organizations including the Minnesota Music Listening Contest, National Band Association (NBA-MN), American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA-MN), and the Servant Leadership for Music (SLAM) to name a few. His contagious curiosity and genuine passion for learning are models for us all - as is his ability to answer ridiculous speed-round questions!

Minnesota Winds
Music Teacher Feature
Edina High School
SLAM
Music Listening Contest

• Want to find out more about the Beyond The Notes Festival  Click here to learn more. 
• Registration for ComMission Possible 2025 is now open! Click here to register & learn more. 
• Registration for the 2025 Beyond The Notes Festivals will take place Monday, April 22 at 8 PM on the BTN Website. 
• Got a question or comment?  Submit it here or email us at [email protected]
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