In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda and Aaron Vogel reconnect after a busy spring season filled with performances, competitions, and student achievements across Arizona’s marching arts community. They celebrate the success of ensembles performing in winter guard, percussion, and national events, while also inviting listeners to share their own end-of-year or summer band questions.

The heart of the episode features an engaging and insightful conversation with veteran music educator and leadership clinician Bill Humbert. Bill shares the origins of his widely respected leadership training program, emphasizing a powerful realization: great student leaders aren’t born, they’re taught.

Listeners will hear Bill break down the evolution of student leadership, the challenges facing today’s educators and students, and why connection, communication, and consistency matter more than ever. He dives into practical strategies for developing effective student leaders, building trust within ensembles, and creating a culture where students take true ownership of their programs.

The conversation also explores:

- How leadership education has adapted to changing student needs and attention spans.

- The importance of modeling behavior as a teacher and leader.

- Balancing excellence with student well-being in demanding programs.

- The structure and philosophy behind Bill’s Arizona Leadership Conference camps.

Whether you’re a band director, staff member, student leader, or supporter of the marching arts, this episode offers thoughtful perspectives and actionable ideas to strengthen your program and develop leaders who thrive both on and off the field.

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In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda and Dan Hoffman reconnect with designer Ryan Springler for Part 2 of their deep dive into show design, this time focusing on practical, real-world tools for building a marching production from the ground up.

Ryan then takes center stage to break down the nuts and bolts of designing a marching band show, including:

• Why starting with a strong concept (instead of music) creates more cohesive and impactful productions

• How to evaluate whether an idea is compelling, relevant, and translatable to the marching arts medium

• Techniques for turning a musical score into a visual journey, using form, texture, and pacing

• The importance of variety and continuity in shaping an engaging audience experience

• How collaboration, trust, and even failed ideas can strengthen your design process over time

• A clear, actionable definition of pacing and how to balance time vs. content to keep audiences engaged

• A breakdown of the count sheet, the essential tool that aligns music, drill, choreography, and production into one cohesive plan

• How to structure collaboration across a design team using tools like Google Sheets and layered planning

• Why great shows require constant context awareness, not just great moments

• Strategies for avoiding common pitfalls—like over-designing one section while neglecting the full production arc

Listeners will also hear thoughtful discussion on creativity, intuition, and the art of “pivoting” when a show concept just isn’t working—plus how understanding your students and program culture can elevate every design decision.

Whether you're a band director, designer, or student leader, this episode offers actionable strategies and creative inspiration to help you build more meaningful, effective performances.

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In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda and Matt Kozacek wrap up their series spotlighting Arizona college band programs with a deep dive into the college marching band experience. They kick things off by sharing personal insights and advice for high school students considering continuing band in college highlighting the fun, friendships, and unique opportunities that come with it.

The conversation then shifts to a featured interview with Jim Hudson, Director of Athletic Bands at Arizona State University. Fresh off a whirlwind stretch of tournament travel, Hudson offers a behind-the-scenes look at life in a major college band program—from game day traditions and national travel to the fast-paced world of pep band and postseason play. Hudson reflects on his journey from small-town Iowa to leading one of the nation’s most dynamic collegiate bands, sharing stories about influential mentors, unforgettable performances, and the evolution of marching band over the past two decades. He also discusses the culture at ASU, the importance of community and student development, and why college band is about so much more than just music.

Whether you're a student thinking about joining band in college, an educator, or a lifelong fan of the activity, this episode offers valuable perspective, inspiration, and a few unforgettable stories along the way.

Message the Copper State Marching Podcast at [email protected].

The Copper State Marching Podcast is back with an information-packed episode as hosts Martin Hebda and Matt Kozack dive headfirst into the upcoming 2026 Arizona marching band season!

Fresh off the conclusion of color guard season and gearing up for percussion championships, Martin and Matt reflect on the fast-paced nature of the winter season—and the unique joy of watching their own kids fall in love with the marching arts. From proud “band parent” moments to the ever-relatable realization that their children have already seen every viral drum corps clip, this episode kicks off with heart and humor.

The spotlight this episode: a complete overview of the 2026 AZMBA show schedule. From the educational and low-pressure Eval Plus events in September to the high-energy regional championships and the grand finale in November, the hosts walk through each key date, location, and what makes every show unique.

They also highlight important upcoming events like the Elevate Symposium (August 22), featuring top-tier clinicians and expanded learning tracks for directors, staff, students, and boosters alike.

To wrap things up, Martin and Matt share practical advice for directors on how to build a balanced, student-centered competition schedule—touching on everything from avoiding burnout to making space for milestone moments like homecoming. Whether you’re a director, student, parent, or fan of the marching arts, this episode is your go-to guide for the 2026 season in Arizona. Don’t miss it!

In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda and Matt Kozacek catch up on exciting band adventures—from an upcoming international performance tour in Ireland to reflections on unforgettable parade experiences. Then, they welcome special guest Dr. Stephen Meyer, Director of Bands at Northern Arizona University, for an in-depth conversation about leadership, teaching, and the ever-evolving marching arts.

Dr. Meyer shares his inspiring musical journey from Ohio to NAU, including impactful teaching experiences in Georgia and Texas, and his work with collegiate ensembles across the country. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at NAU’s band program, including their memorable appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and how the program continues to grow through community, creativity, and student engagement.

The discussion dives into what defines excellence in marching band today, the importance of connecting music to emotion, and how directors can focus on solutions over excuses. Dr. Meyer also highlights the value of drawing inspiration from outside the band world—whether it’s Broadway, film, or even stand-up comedy—to create meaningful and engaging performances.

Whether you’re a student considering college band, a director refining your craft, or a fan of the marching arts, this episode is packed with insight, humor, and practical advice to elevate your perspective.

In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda and Matt Kozacek kick off their college marching band director series with a special guest: Chad Shoopman, Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Arizona.

Chad shares his incredible musical journey—from starting trumpet in Texas to performing professionally at Disney and eventually leading the Pride of Arizona. The conversation dives into what makes college marching band such a unique and rewarding experience, highlighting the differences from high school, the life-changing opportunities for students, and the powerful sense of community it creates.

Listeners will get an inside look at the realities of running a major collegiate band program, including travel logistics, game day traditions, evolving technology in marching arts, and the importance of leadership and student development. Chad also reflects on memorable performances, the impact of COVID-era bands, and why Band Day remains one of the most meaningful events of the year.

Whether you're a high school student considering college band, a director guiding young musicians, or a lifelong marching arts fan, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a deep appreciation for the Arizona band community.

Topics include:

- Transitioning from high school to college marching band

- Behind the scenes of major athletic band programs

- The role of technology and social media in modern bands

- Why every student should consider marching in college

- Memorable performances and career highlights

- Celebrating the Arizona band community

Special thanks to our sponsors for supporting the Arizona Marching Band Association and helping connect, educate, and inspire musicians across the state.

In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda and Dan Hoffman sit down with show designer and program coordinator Ryan Springler for a deep dive into the art and strategy behind marching band show design.

The conversation explores what a program coordinator really does, how successful design teams collaborate, and why trust and communication are essential to building a thriving band program.

Along the way, Ryan discusses his creative process, the importance of developing a broad library of artistic influences, and why designing a show is less like sculpting marble and more like gardening—nurturing ideas, people, and culture over time. The trio also reflects on memorable Arizona shows, lessons from decades of collaboration, and how thoughtful leadership can elevate both student experiences and program success.

Whether you’re a band director, designer, educator, or student, this episode offers practical insight into the philosophy, creativity, and teamwork that bring marching productions to life.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

- Ryan’s path into pageantry arts and show design

- The evolving role of the program coordinator in marching bands

- How creativity, research, and inspiration shape a production

- Building trust between directors, designers, and staff

- Why long-term program development matters more than a single show

- Advice for young designers entering the activity

A thoughtful and inspiring conversation about leadership, creativity, and the people who make the marching arts possible.

In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda and Aaron Vogel continue their Director’s Cut series with a special guest: legendary arranger, composer, and educator Richard Saucedo. Known for his 31-year tenure at Carmel High School Marching Band and his work with top ensembles across the country, Saucedo shares insights from decades of experience designing marching band productions.

From his early days writing arrangements in high school to helping lead the judging community for Bands of America, Saucedo discusses how his philosophy of show design has evolved. He explains why successful programs start by designing for student success, not ego, and how thoughtful show planning can drive recruitment, retention, and excitement within a band program.

Listeners will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process:

- Where great marching shows begin (music vs. visual concepts)

- How arrangers learn the strengths of each band they write for

- The importance of variety, clarity, and effect in show design

- Ideal timelines for writing and teaching a marching band production

Saucedo also reflects on memorable productions from his career, including the Carmel show “The Tangled Web”, and shares advice for young directors and composers—from studying orchestration to learning the power of silence and musical space.

The episode wraps with heartfelt shoutouts to the unsung heroes of music education: small-program band directors and the middle school teachers who inspire the next generation of musicians.

Whether you’re a band director, arranger, performer, or marching arts fan, this conversation offers practical insight and inspiration from one of the activity’s most respected voices. Tune in for an inside look at the artistry, strategy, and heart behind designing a marching band show.

In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, presented by the Arizona Marching Band Association (AMBA), hosts Martin Hebda and Aaron Vogel kick things off with a look at the busy spring season—concert festivals, WGI trips, regional events, and community band galas that bring hundreds of students together in celebration of music.

Then, we launch the first installment of our brand-new Director’s Cut Series: Leading the Design Process as a Director with special guest Jeff Marchant, longtime director at Rincon/University High School in Tucson.

Jeff shares insights into building a nationally respected program known for its distinctive style, professionalism, and community impact. From creating a unified brand identity on campus to balancing entertainment and competitive design, Jeff walks us through his collaborative show creation process—starting with a single piece of music and building outward with trusted staff and designers.

Highlights from the conversation include:

• How Rincon maintains a recognizable “style” year after year
• Blending crowd-pleasing favorites with challenging repertoire
• Incorporating jazz and swing authentically into field shows
• Designing with student strengths in mind
• Why Jeff values custom-designed shows over pre-packaged productions
• The role of humility, delegation, and hiring experts in sustaining a long-term career
• Why leadership development may be the most important thing his program teaches

Whether you're a director refining your design process or a band parent curious about what goes into building a show, this episode offers thoughtful, practical insights from one of Arizona’s most respected educators.

Stay tuned as the Director’s Cut Series continues with more outstanding leaders in marching arts design.

🎶 Listen in, get inspired, and celebrate the Arizona marching band community with us!

In this part two of a special champion spotlight series, hosts Martin Hebda and Aaron Vogel sits down with two of Arizona’s 2025 Class Champions for an in-depth conversation about design, culture, and building programs that thrive.

Hamilton High School (Class 3A Champion) Directors Leo Werner and Jason Bullock share the creative process behind their cinematic production The Lost City, inspired by tales of El Dorado and featuring music from Jumanji and Holding Out for a Hero. From dramatic visual twists and storytelling through costume design to cultivating a championship culture that transcends classification, they offer practical insights on:

• Designing shows students truly buy into
• Balancing creativity with budget realities
• Building sustainable culture amid staff and roster changes
• Planning and revealing next season’s production
• Leading with partnership and shared vision

Campo Verde High School (Class 4A Champion) Director Matt Kozacek joins the show to discuss Tangled Fate, a dark and theatrical production that blended classical, jazz, and dramatic storytelling—including a jaw-dropping final moment audiences won’t forget. Matt dives into:

• Collaborating with composers and drill writers
• Teaching performance authenticity and character commitment
• Motivating students through positive culture and “bucket filling”
• Creating traditions like weekly “Game Ball” recognitions
• Growing a program with long-term vision and heart

Throughout the episode, you’ll hear powerful reminders that championships aren’t built on size alone—but on clarity of vision, consistency of culture, and students who are empowered to lead.

Whether you’re a director, staff member, student leader, or marching arts enthusiast, this episode is packed with inspiration, practical strategies, and celebration of excellence across Arizona.

Tune in and join the conversation shaping marching band education in the Copper State.