In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I get to reconnect with my good friend and former colleague, Brock Derringer. Brock and I shared a lot of time on stage, in the pit, and the music department at Wesleyan School, and it was a blast to sit down and dig into his story.

We start with Brock’s roots in small-town Thomasville, Georgia, a place with an unexpectedly rich arts scene, and trace his journey from a 10-year-old piano student to becoming a versatile musician and educator. He shares about his musical family, the influential teachers who shaped him, and how early church gigs prepared him for a lifetime of accompanying, leading, and creating music.

Brock talks about his love of teaching, the decision to move from performance into music education, and his current work at Stillwell School of the Arts in Atlanta, where he teaches AP Music Theory and piano. We get into the challenges and changes in music education over the last two decades, the role (and limits) of technology in the classroom, and how he keeps evolving his teaching methods to meet students where they are today.

Of course, we reminisce about our time collaborating on musicals, choir projects, and the legendary “Sing-Off” events, including unforgettable Beatles and Billy Joel performances that brought students and faculty to their feet. Along the way, we swap thoughts on musical influences, Billy Joel, Keith Jarrett, Oscar Peterson, and the importance of process over product in mastering any craft.

This conversation is part reunion, part masterclass, and part trip down memory lane. Brock’s passion for music and dedication to his students are contagious, and I left this talk reminded of why making and teaching music matter so much.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at [email protected].

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.