If your kid has ever picked up a clarinet… there’s a fair chance this bloke had something to do with it.

Rowan McBride joins me in the van, and if you grew up on the Central Coast, you probably already know his name. He’s been running school band programs for over 20 years, shaping thousands of young musicians and watching everything from first-day squeaks to full-blown “that was the best thing I’ve ever done” moments on stage.

We get into what’s actually changed with kids over the years, why instant gratification is making music harder to stick with, and the surprising number of students who go from “can’t play five notes” to absolutely smashing it. There’s also a great chat about perfect pitch, the reality of conducting, and the surprising hardest part of being in an orchestra.

It’s a mix of funny stories, honest moments, and a really good reminder of why doing hard things properly still matters.

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