In this episode, David speaks with Lafe Cook, Director of Bands, at Dobyns-Bennett H.S., TN!

Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles.

Watch this episode with video: https://youtube.com/live/7MRpDThtvhk?feature=share

Joining Us today is Gary Green. Gary was the Director of Bands and is Professor of Music Emeritus at The University of Miami Frost School of Music. He brought his band to two early Marching Bands of America competitions and has served as a BOA judge and clinician for many years.In celebration of Music for All’s 50th anniversary, the podcast series Joining Us! takes listeners on a journey through five decades of unforgettable moments, legendary performances, and the people who shaped the legacy of Music for All and Bands of America. Hosted by the voice of BOA, Chuck Henson, tune into this series every Thursday through the end of 2025. Listen as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future—one story at a time.

In this episode, David speaks with Eric Jimenez, Founder & Principal Consultant of the Revival Music Project and Co-Host of The Score Podcast!

Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles.

Watch this episode with video: https://youtube.com/live/Ip9iRUq-nck?feature=share

Joining Us today is Alfred L. Watkins. Dr. Watkins is the retired Director of Bands at Lassiter H.S., GA, where he taught for 31 of his 37 years teaching. Lassiter H.S. won the 1998 and 2002 Bands of America Grand National Championships and performed six times at the MFA National Festival. Among his many other accolades, Dr. Watkins is a member of the MFA Hall of Fame and a longtime BOA adjudicator, National Festival clinician, and member of the BOA Summer Camp Faculty.

In celebration of Music for All’s 50th anniversary, the podcast series Joining Us! takes listeners on a journey through five decades of unforgettable moments, legendary performances, and the people who shaped the legacy of Music for All and Bands of America. Hosted by the voice of BOA, Chuck Henson, tune into this series every Thursday through the end of 2025. Listen as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future—one story at a time.

In this episode, David speaks with Kaelinn Ward, Director of Bands, William J. Palmer H.S., CO!

Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles.

Watch this episode with video: https://youtube.com/live/bORR03I0bLI?feature=share

Joining Us today is father-son duo Bill and Shawn Galvin. Bill is a member of the MFA Hall of Fame, the Educational Advisory Committee, and recently retired as the coordinator of the Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival. Shawn participated in BOA from 1991-95 and has served as a clinician and evaluator for various Music for All events. He currently enjoys a career as a conductor and percussionist, playing primarily with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

In celebration of Music for All’s 50th anniversary, the podcast series Joining Us! takes listeners on a journey through five decades of unforgettable moments, legendary performances, and the people who shaped the legacy of Music for All and Bands of America. Hosted by the voice of BOA, Chuck Henson, tune into this series every Thursday through the end of 2025. Listen as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future—one story at a time.

This special episode is the last of a 5-part series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2025 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha. Please join us back for regularly scheduled Sunday evening/Monday morning episodes, beginning this week, August 3/4!

In this episode, David speaks with Patrick Mainieri, Chief Operating Officer for the Bloomington-Normal YMCA, IL, who also serves Music for All in many capacities, including as the Director of Participants Experience at BOA Summer Camp; and Jenny Stowers, coordinator of First Year Experience at Young Harris College, GA. Plus, hear some great tips from Sweetwater's Rick Drewry! 

Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles.

Watch this episode with video: https://youtube.com/live/N9p219aidPw?feature=share

This special episode is part 4 of 5 of a series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2025 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha.

In this episode, David speaks with Maggie Moncado, who just finished her first year teaching band at Joplin M.S. and H.S., MO; and Jonathan Bell, who has been teaching for a few more years and currently serves as Director of Bands at Germantown H.S., WI. Plus, hear some great tips from Sweetwater's Craig Edgar! 

Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles.

Watch this episode with video: https://youtube.com/live/wup2UA2PCc8?feature=share

Joining Us today is Michael Davis, who retired as the Band and Orchestra director for Walt Disney World Resort in 2001. Prior to his tenure with Disney, Mike served on band faculty at James Madison University and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, to where he helped to bring the first BOA Summer Nationals. He served on the BOA Board of Directors for nearly a decade.

In celebration of Music for All’s 50th anniversary, the podcast series Joining Us! takes listeners on a journey through five decades of unforgettable moments, legendary performances, and the people who shaped the legacy of Music for All and Bands of America. Hosted by the voice of BOA, Chuck Henson, tune into this series every Thursday through the end of 2025. Listen as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the future—one story at a time.

This special episode is part 3 of 5 of a series of podcasts recorded on-site in June 2025 at the Sweetwater Director Academy at the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha.

In this episode, David speaks with Jennifer Witt, Band and Orchestra Marketing Manager at Sweetwater; and Brian Blocker, who is the Band Director at Broad Ripple M.S., IN, as well as an assistant for the Jazz Band of America at Music for All National Festival.

Join David Duarte as he discusses the methods, challenges, and benefits of building a positive culture within the classroom. Hear different perspectives from music educators of all backgrounds, and learn how they build a culture of intrinsic motivation, collaboration, and growth within their own ensembles.

Watch this episode with video here: https://youtube.com/live/22FV8GimzVA?feature=share