In this high-energy episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat is joined by middle school band director, composer, and organizational powerhouse Erin Lilliefors. Erin shares her practical strategies for keeping communication clear and effective with parents—an area that often causes stress for music educators.

Drawing on 15 years of experience in diverse school settings and the real-life juggling act of being a single mom, Erin reveals how front-loading information, formatting for clarity, and sharing positive student shout-outs can transform your relationships with families. You'll also hear how she uses ChatGPT to streamline messaging and save time.

The conversation also highlights Erin’s work as a composer creating flex-band music that fills important gaps in the repertoire—especially for underrepresented cultures and low brass players (finally!). With pieces like Tick, Tick, Tick and Perilous Seas, she’s writing music that’s playable, meaningful, and memorable.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🎶 Why front-loading parent communication is like meal prepping for your sanity

🎶 Simple formatting tips that help families actually read your emails

🎶 How to use AI tools like ChatGPT to save time and write better emails

🎶 Why representation matters in band literature—and how Erin is contributing

🎶 Where to find her published flex and culturally inspired band pieces

Resources Mentioned:

• Erin’s music on JW Pepper (search: “Tick, Tick, Tick” and “Perilous Seas”)
• Additional works via Leading Tones Music
• Free PD and ChatGPT tools at mPowered Music Educator Academy