Music IS social. Music IS emotional. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in the music classroom capitalizes on the power of music education to help our students build the competencies of IDENTITY (self-awareness & self-management), BELONGING (social-awareness & relationship management), and AGENCY (responsible decision-making). SEL must be intentionally embedded in musical instruction. It should never feel like “one more thing” or a box to check; it should simply feel like great music teaching meeting our students’ needs. We put SEL center stage!

In this episode, Scott speaks with Jasmine Fripp: founder of The Passionate Black Educator!

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.
In this episode, David speaks with Vanessa Cobb, Director of Bands at Montgomery Central 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.
In our second episode, David talks with veteran educator, author, and leadership trainer Scott Lang!

Music IS social. Music IS emotional. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in the music classroom capitalizes on the power of music education to help our students build the competencies of IDENTITY (self-awareness & self-management), BELONGING (social-awareness & relationship management), and AGENCY (responsible decision-making). SEL must be intentionally embedded in musical instruction. It should never feel like “one more thing” or a box to check; it should simply feel like great music teaching meeting our students’ needs. We put SEL center stage!

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.

In our first episode, David speaks with Matt Wood of Ridgeview M.S. about the importance of relationships, patience, and empathy within the classroom, and how his own past experiences as a student have influenced his educational approach today.

Break Ranks is back! This podcast, hosted and produced by Bands of America’s Dan Potter, returns to bring you the latest about the Bands of America Championship seasons. Dan will explore every angle of marching band, with something for students, parents, teachers, administrators, and fans.

In this episode, Dan speaks with Jessica Graves of Signal Mountain M.S./H.S., about her experience and takeaways as a first-time BOA director at the BOA Chattanooga event.

Break Ranks is back! This podcast, hosted and produced by Bands of America’s Dan Potter, returns to bring you the latest about the 2023 Bands of America Championship season. Dan will explore every angle of marching band, with something for students, parents, teachers, administrators, and fans.

In this special episode, Dan releases the 2024 BOA Schedule with Music for All's Sam Cantor!

DISCLAIMER: Schedule was not finalized at time of recording, the most updated schedule is at marching.musicforall.org.

Break Ranks is back! This podcast, hosted and produced by Bands of America’s Dan Potter, returns to bring you the latest about the 2023 Bands of America Championship season. Dan will explore every angle of marching band, with something for students, parents, teachers, administrators, and fans.

In this episode, Dan is joined by David Duarte to discuss his upcoming Music for All podcast, "Culture Before Content"!

Break Ranks is back! This podcast, hosted and produced by Bands of America’s Dan Potter, returns to bring you the latest about the 2023 Bands of America Championship season. Dan will explore every angle of marching band, with something for students, parents, teachers, administrators, and fans.

In this episode, Dan is joined by the band director of Avon H.S., Matt Harloff, and the Assistant Principal of Beechwood H.S., Jana Bromley!

Break Ranks is back! This podcast, hosted and produced by Bands of America’s Dan Potter, returns to bring you the latest about the 2023 Bands of America Championship season. Dan will explore every angle of marching band, with something for students, parents, teachers, administrators, and fans.

In this episode, Dan is joined by Jason Bird of Argyle H.S. with his two sons, and fellow announcer for BOA, John Pollard!