The Growing Band Director

By Kyle Smith

Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the c... more

· Education

5

4343 ratings

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FAQs about The Growing Band Director:

How many episodes does The Growing Band Director have?

The podcast currently has 286 episodes available.

The Growing Band Director episodes:

April 12, 2025 (107) Creating a Jazz Culture at Beloit HS, and Essentially Ellington Throwback with Chris Behrens
As the band director at one of the top HS jazz programs in the country (Beloit HS-Wisconsin), Chris Behrens shares many aspects of building this culture in YOUR school - including a score study session on two Duke Ellington charts, as well as participating in the Essentially Ellington Festival and all the other aspects that go into their top notch jazz program.
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

...more
58min
April 10, 2025 258 Why You Should Program Transcriptions Part Two
There are so many pieces of music written for piano or orchestra that have been transcribed for wind band. In this episode we discuss the reasoning for programming transcriptions with your students. We also provide score and sound listening examples of pieces that work well for wind band.
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

...more
32min
April 07, 2025 245 Using Folk Songs in Band Repertoire with Gene Milford
The use of folk songs in the band classrooms is very important to help them learn history! Gene Milford is one of the finest composers of our time uses folk songs all the time, and he joined the show to discuss many of his works for band!
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

...more
51min
April 05, 2025 (102) Planning your Students Year Throwback with Tiffany Hitz
Through Curriculum Mapping, the use of Companion Guides, and a thorough approach to programming, learn the techniques used by a Master Teacher - Tiffany Hitz from Fairfax County, VA.
Tips for Mentoring
Companion Guide Example (Tiffany Hitz)
Example Curriculum Map (Tiffany Hitz)
Songs in 6/8 Part 1 (Kyle Smith)
Songs in 6/8 Part 2 (Kyle Smith)
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

...more
1h
April 03, 2025 254 Gr 1-3 Jazz Festival Rep with Julius Tolentino Part 2
Selection of repertoire for your jazz band is essential for a successful festival season. In this 3 part series hear 27 charts for grades 1-3 that work tremendously.
Each chart is discussed and an audio sample is provided, as well as background and teaching tips for each chart.
Each episode includes:
3 charts as a Grade 1 set
3 charts as a Grade 2 set
3 charts as a Grade 3 set
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of⁠ thegrowingbanddirector.com⁠
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
⁠Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com⁠
⁠On Youtube The Growing Band Director⁠
⁠Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group⁠
⁠Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector⁠
⁠Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector⁠
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

...more
49min
March 31, 2025 244 Replacing a Legendary Teacher with Patrick Towey
Starting a new job as a band director is not an easy task. There are many decisions in the short and long term that need to be calculated. No matter how experienced you are, you will make mistakes. Patrick Towey joins the show to help us navigate some solutions and avoid some pitfalls along the way.
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of https://thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Podcast Website https://Thegrowingbanddirector.com
Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg8yE0tT7HXVQW6vAyKXlSw
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/1197885914386437/?ref=share
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thegrowingbanddirector/
Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

...more
42min
March 29, 2025 (87) Advanced Rehearsal Techniques for Wind Band and Jazz Band Throwback with Jeff Leonard
Hear from one of New England's most legendary band directors. Jeff Leonard spent 35 years in the Lexington Schools as K-12 Coordinator and Band Director. Now teaching at BU and Berklee, hear some of the ways to improve as a teacher in both the classical and jazz realm.
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

...more
1h 38min
March 27, 2025 253 Festival Repertoire for Concert Band Part Two with Melissa Shabo
Join Kyle and Melissa Shabo (Cape Elizabeth Middle School) for a journey through three sets of Grade 1-3 Festival music that are worthy of your contest set in the future! Each program is segmented into 3 pieces at each grade level that would work as a stand alone concert set!
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of⁠ thegrowingbanddirector.com⁠
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
⁠Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com⁠
⁠On Youtube The Growing Band Director⁠
⁠Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group⁠
⁠Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector⁠
⁠Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector⁠
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!
...more
38min
March 24, 2025 242 What is on the Page is a Lie with Penelope Smetters-Jacono and Paul Corn
Penelope Smetters-Jacono and Paul Corn are New York band directors who have grown their programs to a level that they have been accepted to Essentially Ellington 2025, and they join the show live from Jazz at Lincoln Center.
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

...more
55min
March 22, 2025 (82) Building Confidence in Rhythm Section Students Throwback with Mike Kamuf
From his Alfred clinic "Start Your Engines: Building Confidence with Less Experienced Rhythm Section Players" Mike Kamuf shares amazing information to help your young Rhythm Section thrive! This is also a chance to listen to some great music by one of America's top writers.
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

...more
1h 24min

FAQs about The Growing Band Director:

How many episodes does The Growing Band Director have?

The podcast currently has 286 episodes available.

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