Take Notes with Balmages and Bernotas

In Season 2 Episode 204 of Take Notes, Brian Balmages and Chris Bernotas sit down with legend of music education Richard Floyd. With over 60 years of experience as a conductor, educator, and Texas State Director of Music Emeritus, Floyd shares his journey from chasing trophy wins as a young director to discovering the true artistry of music making through a chance meeting with H. Robert Reynolds.

He breaks down how directors can escape the "analytical loop" that leads to burnout, explains his multi-step score study method, shares memories of conducting Rippling Watercolors, and delivers timeless wisdom on why becoming a better musician requires becoming a broader, richer human being.

In Season 2 Episode 203 of Take Notes, Brian Balmages and Chris "Cool Breeze" Bernotas sit down with renowned conductor and pedagogue Dr. Cynthia Johnston Turner (WASBE President-Elect, Wellington Wind Symphony Artistic Director, Wilfrid Laurier University, and the American Band College).

From starting music on a moss-green, two-octave toy keyboard in Peterborough, Ontario, to overhauling college curricula and conducting world premieres, CJT shares a candid look at grit, leadership, and ensemble culture. She challenges directors to stop demonizing school administrators, transition from top-down podium dictation to student-centered engagement, and adjust the physical tension that holds many conductors back on the podium.

In Season 2 Episode 202 of Take Notes, Brian Balmages and Chris Bernotas sit down with Grammy Award–winning conductor Maestro Cristian Măcelaru (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Cabrillo Festival, Interlochen World Youth Symphony Orchestra).

From his early days as the youngest concertmaster in Miami Symphony history to stepping in for Pierre Boulez with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Măcelaru shares incredible stories of luck meeting preparation. He breaks down his unique score study philosophy, explains why he treats youth orchestras with the exact same artistic rigor as world-class professional ensembles, and relives the chaotic behind-the-scenes drama of conducting in a torrential downpour at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Welcome to the Season 2 Premier of Take Notes with Balmages and Bernotas! Brian and Chris jump into the video era (complete with birthday celebrations for Chris) before sitting down with Darcy Vogt Williams, Head Director at Stiles Middle School (Leander ISD). Darcy pulls back the curtain on how she manages a massive program of nearly 600 band students. From a unique two-week "no instrument" front-loaded theory approach to an intentional, non-biased instrument testing model, Darcy shares game-changing strategies for early-year pacing, building trust, and setting firm boundaries for long-term career sustainability that are relevant for any music educator.

In this special video bonus episode, Brian Balmages and Chris Bernotas assemble in Louisville, Colorado, to reflect on their whirlwind summer travels across various educational institutes, bandmaster conventions, and a quick recharge at the Jersey Shore. Between jokes about "vodcasts" and "mini-pods," the duo pulls back the curtain on major new product launches from Alfred Music and MakeMusic, including HybridNow, Marvel Foundations, Sound Innovations 2nd Edition, and Center Stage. They also officially open up submissions for Season 2 Q&A via their dedicated hotline and community channels.

We made it! In this epic, high-energy Season 1 finale, Brian and Chris take a victory lap through their debut season, proving they are still "works in progress, progressing on their works." Joined on-air by their producer, Marianne White, the hosts look back at the chaotic, beautiful journey of launching the pod: from completely forgetting to introduce their very first guest to expanding their global footprint. This episode is a masterful mix of laugh-out-loud moments (including the origin of the "sneeze blast" and impromptu singing) and profound insights pulled from listener questions spanning from Ohio to Australia. It serves as a masterclass in performance anxiety survival skills, the raw vulnerability of the creative process, and a passionate defense of why the human "heart business" of music education can never be replaced by AI.

In this high-energy "end-of-year" special, Brian and Chris dive into strategies for keeping students engaged during the "final countdown" of the school year. They are then joined by the iconic Cheryl Floyd, a trailblazer in the middle school band world. Cheryl shares her "non-traditional" start, her philosophy on commissioning world-class composers for young ensembles, and her "Suzuki-inspired" approach to starting beginners without a book. This episode is a masterclass in removing barriers for students, the vital importance of mentorship for "grown-up" teachers, and why musicality should never be the "third 50%" of your rehearsal.

In one of the most powerful and timely episodes of the season, Brian and Chris sit down with Omar Thomas to discuss his "non-linear" evolution from a 23-year-old Berklee professor to one of the most significant voices in contemporary wind band music. The conversation dives into the "invisible music" that cannot be written on a page—the vernacular, the grit, and the soul of jazz and gospel. The episode culminates in a deep discussion about the "platform" of the band room and a direct address of the controversy surrounding his piece, Mother of a Revolution, currently being challenged by a school board in Wisconsin.

🖼️ Omar’s featured headshot was recently commissioned from queer artist, Anthony Hurd.

In this episode, Brian and Chris open the show with a vulnerable (and hilarious) look at "Fan Mail"—specifically the kind that calls you an idiot. This leads into a profound discussion on Imposter Syndrome and the importance of a trusting community. They are then joined by Scott Rush, the visionary behind the Habits of a Successful Band Director series. Scott shares his journey from a horn performance major to building the massive Wando High School program from 98 to 280 students. The trio dives deep into the "three buckets" of musical capacity, the evolution of the classroom from a "dictatorship" to a "music-making lab," and why high expectations are actually the ultimate form of love.

In this heartfelt episode, Brian and Chris celebrate the "Heart of the School"—the teachers. The conversation kicks off with a humorous and nostalgic look at Teacher Appreciation Week (featuring the legendary "Omelet Guy" and "Pasta Guy") before transitioning into a high-level discussion on the impact of mentorship. The hosts are joined by the first-ever Spark Award recipient, Amanda Cornet, who shares her journey from a pre-med hopeful to a community-driven orchestra director. The episode concludes with Brian and Chris sharing intimate stories of the teachers who didn't just teach them notes, but unlocked their musical souls and prepared them for the "real world."

The 2026 Spark Award (presented by Alfred Music and MakeMusic) nominations will open on 4/20/26. Learn more and nominate a deserving teacher at makemusic.com/spark!