Marching Roundtable Podcast – Marching Arts Education

Guest host Steve Rondinaro talks with filmmaker Sky Bergman about Prime Time Band, her documentary celebrating the musicians of a Santa Barbara community band whose members are 55 and older.

Some returned to their instruments after decades away. Others picked one up for the very first time. Sky shares their stories and what she discovered about the camaraderie, resilience, purpose, and sheer joy that come from making music with others.

They also discuss the band’s work introducing young students to musical instruments—a connection between generations and a reminder that music can remain part of our lives at every age.

Whether you haven’t played in 40 years or have never played at all, Prime Time Band offers a simple invitation: dust off the instrument, find a community, and make music.

Listen below, or take us with you by subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Fred J. Miller, Inc.

Podcast length: 15:52

Watch the full video on YouTube

Subscribe to our newsletter for upcoming episodes and exclusive content

Become a Marching Arts Education member for access to every podcast and webinar

Matt Penland and Tyler Sammons discuss their journey from drum corps performers to educators and leaders within Phantom Regiment’s percussion program. They share the mentors, musical experiences, and teaching philosophies that shaped their careers while reflecting on Phantom Regiment’s evolving musical identity and the future of the marching arts.

In this episode of The Marching Roundtable, host Neil Larrivee welcomes Matt Penland and Tyler Sammons for an engaging conversation about the experiences that led them from performers to respected educators, arrangers, and designers. Along the way, they reflect on discovering drum corps, developing a broad musical foundation, and the mentors whose guidance continues to influence their teaching and creative work.

The discussion explores the evolution of Phantom Regiment’s musical identity, the art of arranging for today’s performers, the important role directors play in shaping successful ensembles, and why building genuine relationships with students and staff is essential to long-term success. Matt and Tyler also offer encouragement and practical advice for young musicians who hope to pursue drum corps and careers in music education.

Whether you’re a band director, percussion instructor, performer, arranger, or fan of the marching arts, this episode provides an insightful look at the people, philosophies, and passion behind one of drum corps’ most respected percussion programs.

In this episode:

Listen below, or take us with you by subscribing on Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Fred J. Miller, Inc.

Podcast length: 1:06:45

Watch the full video on YouTube

Subscribe to our newsletter for upcoming episodes and exclusive content

Become a Marching Arts Education member for access to every podcast and webinar

What separates a good program from a championship-caliber one? In this conversation, Boston Crusaders percussion staff members Colin McNutt and Iain Moyer share the philosophies that have shaped one of drum corps’ premier organizations. From developing a strong culture and designing for performers to refining rehearsal strategies and embracing continual growth, they offer practical insights that apply to programs of every size and experience level.

Whether you’re a band director, designer, or instructor, this episode is a thoughtful look at the long-term decisions that help transform great ideas into lasting success.

You can listen to us below, or, if you want to take us with you, download us from iTunes or Amazon.

Podcast length: 1:17:10

Watch the VIDEO version on YouTube

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER so you’ll know about all upcoming content

SIGN UP for Membership to Marching Arts Education and get access to every podcast and webinar

Four member leaders from Spirit of Atlanta sat down with us in the middle of dinner during week two of spring training, laptop getting passed around, bad WiFi, corps life going on all around them.  We came in expecting a conversation about leadership roles: drum major, section leaders, horn sergeant.  We left with something else.

They talked about learning to flip the switch between being someone’s friend and being in charge of them on the field.  Managing a week of rain with no idea where rehearsal was even going to happen.  Helping teammates who’ve hit a wall in the heat.  Figuring out who you can lean on when you’re the one having a rough day.

Nobody talked about titles much. They talked about trust, culture, belonging, and taking care of each other, and described Spirit as family, not because it sounds good, but because that’s how they actually experience it.

This is what spring training really looks like, not the polished ten minutes everybody sees later.

You can listen to us below, or if you want to take us with you, you can download us from iTunes and Amazon.

Podcast length: 25:18

Watch the VIDEO version on YouTube

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER so you’ll know about all upcoming content

SIGN UP for Membership to Marching Arts Education and get access to every podcast and webinar

In this episode, Tim Hinton and Marc Whitlock sit down with Kelly Couvelaire to explore the story behind the Phantom Regiment Alumni Corps — the passion, the responsibility, and the remarkable effort it takes to bring something like this back to life. What emerges is a conversation about far more than putting a corps back on the field. It’s about reconnecting people with something that helped shape who they are — their identity, their friendships, and their sense of belonging within the activity. This one is pure drum corps soul.

You can listen to us below, or if you want to take us with you, you can download us from iTunes and Amazon.

Podcast length: 32:22

Watch the VIDEO version on YouTube

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER so you’ll know about all upcoming content

SIGN UP for Membership to Marching Arts Education and get access to every podcast and webinar

Matt Harloff of Avon HS and Carolina Crown shares advice on doing great work, building culture,  and having a successful career.

You can listen to us below, or if you want to take us with you, you can download us from iTunes and Amazon.

Podcast length: 54:33

Watch the VIDEO version on YouTube

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER so you’ll know about all upcoming content

SIGN UP for Membership to Marching Arts Education and get access to every podcast and webinar

Boston Crusaders Go “Boom!” Artistic Director Keith Potter takes us behind-the-scenes, explaining the concepts that created this uniquely stylized show.

You can listen to us below, or if you want to take us with you, you can download us from iTunes and Amazon.

Podcast length: 54:08

Watch the VIDEO version on YouTube

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER so you’ll know about all upcoming content

SIGN UP for Membership to Marching Arts Education and get access to every podcast and webinar

Tim and Mary talk with Bill Register who is taking over the podcast and resources.

You can listen to us below, or if you want to take us with you, you can download us from iTunes and Amazon.

Podcast length: 12:57

Watch the VIDEO version on YouTube

Visit Marching Monk

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER so you’ll know about all upcoming content

SIGN UP for Membership to Marching Arts Education and get access to every podcast and webinar

Advice for visual instructors, band directors who work with them, and those who become Visual Caption Head of their team. With Wes Pendergrass, Ryan H. Turner, and Victor Pezzola

This episode is sponsored by Drill Design Solutions

You can listen to us below, or if you want to take us with you, you can download us from iTunes and Amazon.

Podcast length: 1:12:01

Watch the VIDEO version on YouTube

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER so you’ll know about all upcoming content

SIGN UP for Membership to Marching Arts Education and get access to every podcast and webinar

Build your community through digital communication, and make it professional!  With Laura Rivera

This episode is sponsored by Fred J Miller, Inc.

You can listen to us below, or if you want to take us with you, you can download us from iTunes and Amazon.

Podcast length: 26:41

Watch the VIDEO version on YouTube

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER so you’ll know about all upcoming content

SIGN UP for Membership to Marching Arts Education and get access to every podcast and webinar