Everything Band Podcast
211 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 months ago - ★★★★★ - 70 ratingsConversations with teachers, composers, and performers of music for winds and percussion.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Episode 208 - Adrian Gordon
June 21, 2023 16:28 - 1 hour - 70.4 MBAdrian Gordon is an internationally performed composer and seasoned music educator and currently serves as the director of orchestras at Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC. In addition to teaching, Adrian is the founder of Leap Year Music Publishing, which publishes string music for elementary, middle, and high school ensembles. His compositions appear on the Florida, Texas, Maryland, and Georgia Orchestra Association Music Performance Assessment Lists. His compositions are distributed t...
Episode 207 - Sixto Montesinos
April 26, 2023 01:04 - 1 hour - 110 MBDr. Sixto F. Montesinos Jr. is assistant professor of music and head of instrumental studies at Saint Mary’s College of California in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is an active Mexican-American conductor, flutist, music educator, and scholar researching new and effective ways to strengthen Mexican-American relations through the study and performance of music. These include overcoming stereotypes as well as Mexican, LGBTQ+, and LatinX representation in the field of music education, repertoir...
Episode 206 - Vu Nguyen
February 22, 2023 02:33 - 1 hour - 91.4 MBVu Nguyen is the Director of Wind Ensembles and Conducting at the University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA. Prior to his appointment at the University of Connecticut, he served as the Director of Bands at the University of Indianapolis, was a conductor of the Wind Ensemble at Washington University in St. Louis, and was a visiting conductor of the Indiana University Concert Band. He began his career teaching in the public schools of San Ramon, CA. Dr. Nguyen has conducted throughout the ...
Episode 205 - John Wojciechowski
October 14, 2022 16:03 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBSaxophonist John Wojciechowski is originally from Detroit and has spent the last 18 years performing and teaching in Chicago. In addition to leading his own groups, he has performed or recorded with The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Woody Herman Orchestra, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Clark Terry, Charlie Haden, and Kurt Elling among many others. John was also a third place finalist in the 1996 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Co...
Episode 204 - Josh Johnson (w/ host Jake Walker)
September 26, 2022 18:43 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBJoshua Johnson currently serves as the Associate Director of Bands at Traughber Junior High in Oswego, Illinois. Prior to coming to Oswego, Josh served as Director of Bands at North Kirkwood Middle School and Associate Director of Bands in Kirkwood, Missouri. Joshua attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he received his Bachelor of Music Education Degree with Honors. During his time at Illinois, he was a member of the Illinois Wind Symphony, the Marching Illini, the ...
Episode 203 - Karen Fannin
September 13, 2022 01:52 - 1 hour - 96.5 MBKaren Fannin is Professor, Director of Bands, and Interim Director of the School of Music at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where she conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting, instructs courses in music education, and provides leadership for all aspects of the UNO band program. Previously, Dr. Fannin served as Director of Bands and Department Chair at Hendrix College. While in Arkansas, Dr. Fannin also held the position of Music Director and...
Episode 202 - Mary Cogswell
March 23, 2022 00:42 - 1 hour - 95.5 MBMary Cogswell is the current president of the South Dakota Bandmasters Association, the editor of the Beginning Band Adaptable series, and a long time beginning band teacher. If you teach beginners, this is the episode for you!
Episode 201 - Kenneth Collins
March 09, 2022 03:34 - 1 hour - 135 MBBiography Capt. Kenneth C. Collins, a native of Reno, Nevada, entered the Navy in 1989 and attended recruit training in San Diego, California. Upon completion of Musician "A" school, he served as a percussionist in fleet bands in Guam and Newport, Rhode Island. His first assignment upon receiving a commission as a limited duty officer bandmaster in 1998 was as the ceremonial band leader and associate conductor of the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, D.C., and shortly thereafter an assignment as ...
Episode 200 - Matthew Maslanka
February 27, 2022 17:51 - 1 hour - 113 MBMatthew Maslanka is David Maslanka’s second son and the primary caretaker of David’s music. Born in New York City in 1982, he grew up listening to his father composing at the piano. From the age of 10, Matthew started helping out by making photocopies of scores and dubbing cassette tapes for David to send to conductors interested in the music. At 12, Matthew discovered the delights of engraving music with a computer. By 14, he was skilled enough to handle the preparation of his father’s musi...
Episode 199 - Gary Green
December 16, 2021 20:02 - 1 hour - 99 MBGary Green is Director of Bands Emeritus at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, Florida. Prior to joining the faculty at UM, Gary served for ten years as Director of Bands at the University of Connecticut. Gary joins the show today to discuss the important life lessons that music teachers need to know to build a culture of excellence. Gary Green and was influential in commissioning and recording new works for winds and percussion which included Symphony No. 3 by David Mas...
Episode 198 - Mark Connor
December 14, 2021 15:31 - 1 hour - 93.1 MBFor this episode I'm going to be sitting across from the microphone while Colin Peters interviews me. I have had pretty rough go of it during the pandemic and felt that it was the right moment to share some thoughts and encouragement from my own experience. Biography: Mark J. Connor (b. 1971) is a composer, conductor, educator, and podcaster who has a passion for everything band. His music is diverse, his interviews are inspiring, and his ability to capture the listener’s attention for b...
Episode 197 - Virginia Allen
December 13, 2021 14:10 - 1 hour - 93.7 MBVirginia Allen is a conductor, music educator, arranger, consultant, and a true pioneer for women in music. During her 20-year career in the United States Army, Allen was the first woman to command and conduct an active duty military band integrated with both men and women, the first woman to conduct the West Point band, and the first woman to conduct the U.S. Army Field Band. ------- Are you planning to travel with your group sometime soon? If so, please consider my sponsor, Kaleidoscop...
Episode 196-- Kevin Sedatole
November 22, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 115 MBKevin Sedatole is the Director of Bands and Chair of the conducting area at Michigan State University. He has had a celebrated career in music as a conductor, clinician, teacher, and advocate for new music. Biography Kevin Sedatole serves as Director of Bands, Professor of Music, and Chair of the conducting area at the Michigan State University College of Music. At MSU, Professor Sedatole serves as administrator of the entire band program totaling over 700 students that includes the Win...
Episode 195 - Glenn Eichelberger
September 10, 2021 17:38 - 1 hour - 94.1 MBGlenn Eichelberger is the Director of Bands at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Glenn has been involved in HBCU bands for his entire career and joins the show to discuss his career and his experiences with HBCU excellence in music. Links: Glenn Eichelberger Holsinger: Prelude and Rondo Sheldon: 1,000 Cranes Nelhybel: Festivo Biography: Mr. Eichelberger currently serves the Director of Bands at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Mr. Eichelberger recently completed h...
Episode 194 - Cam Stasa
August 18, 2021 00:03 - 1 hour - 159 MBCam Stasa is a well known figure in the marching arts community as the Director of Participant Relations for Music for All (Bands of America). She joins the show to discuss Music for All programs, her personal journey through music, and her prospective on winning and losing in competition. Links: Music for All Band of America Hall of Fame Biography: A graduate of Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University (MI), she taught English and Communications in secondary sch...
Episode 193 - Paula Crider
June 02, 2021 03:41 - 1 hour - 89.6 MBPaula Crider has had an illustrious 33 year teaching career as a band director, 17 of those as the director of the University of Texas Longhorn Band. She continues to be powerful voice in the band community as a clinician and consultant. Links: Paula Crider Dahl: Sinfonietta Biography: Following a distinguished 33-year teaching career, Professor Paula A. Crider continues to share her passion for making music through an active schedule as guest conductor, lecturer, clinician, and adju...
Episode 192 - JaRod Hall
May 24, 2021 21:43 - 1 hour - 110 MBJaRod Hall is a band director in Irving, Texas and an up and coming composer at the beginning of his writing career. He is infectiously positive throughout our conversation about his creative journey, including a discussion of representation and why it matters for our students. Links: Shostakovich: Finale from Symphony no. 5 Hall: Brigid's Cross Biography: JaRod Hall (b. 1991) is a Texas-native educator, performer, and composer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education fom the...
Episode 191 - Greg Bimm
May 12, 2021 01:57 - 1 hour - 156 MBGreg Bimm has been the band director at Marian Catholic in Chicago for 44 years. During his time there his bands have been consistently excellent both on the marching field and on the stage, including Bands of America's Grand National Champion seven times and a whopping 40 straight years undefeated in their class at the Illinois Superstate competition. Links: Marian Catholic High School Band Persichetti: Symphony Biography: Greg Bimm has been Director of Bands at Marian Catholic High ...
Episode 190 - Alfred Watkins
May 05, 2021 00:04 - 1 hour - 124 MBAlfred Watkins was the longtime band director at Lasseter High School in Georgia and one of the finest band directors of his generation. He joins the show to talk about his career and share the wisdom from his 37 years as an instrumental music teacher. Links: Hindemith: Symphony in B-flat Reed: Russian Christmas Music Biography: Educator, conductor, clinician, and lecturer Alfred L. Watkins, retired band director at Lassiter High School, in Marietta, Georgia, enjoyed a storied 37-yea...
Episode 189 - James Swearingen
April 26, 2021 04:35 - 1 hour - 107 MBJames Swearingen has composed over 700 published works and is one of the most recognizable names in the wind band community. He joins me to discuss not only his music but also the story his early career as a band director and some of the wisdom he has acquired over a stellar career. Links: Jager: Esprit de Corps Nestico: Boys of Wexford Swearingen: Into the Joy of Spring Biography: James Swearingen’s talents as a performer, composer/arranger and educator include a background of ext...
Episode 188 - Ronnie Wooten
March 31, 2021 02:58 - 1 hour - 130 MBDr. Ronald Wooten is a professor of music at Northern Illinois University and has a long history of success as a band director and music educator. He joined the show to spin an entertaining story of his life and share some tremendous wisdom. Biography: Ronnie Wooten DMA, Professor of Music, believes that “It is absolutely critical for those of us who are engaged in the art and practice of musicing-- particularly in colleges and universities, to actively assist all others in their quest ...
Episode 187 - Colin Peters and Jake Walker
March 17, 2021 00:56 - 50 minutes - 69.7 MBIn this special episode we welcome Colin Peters and Jake Walker to the podcast and interview them to learn their stories and hear their plans for the future of the podcast. Topics covered include origin stories, teaching during COVID, teaching beginners, and their answers to the big questions. Colin Peters Bio: Mr. Colin Peters has completed his fourth year of teaching public school band and is now pursuing a Masters degree in Wind Conducting at Sam Houston State University. Prior to...
Episode 186 - Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin
March 02, 2021 21:51 - 1 hour - 92.7 MBTonya Mitchell-Spradlin is the director of bands at Penn State University. She joined the show to share the story of her career, challenges that she has faced, and some thoughts about concert band programming. Topics: Tonya's background and education. Representation matters! Programming music. Thoughts about teaching and conducting. Links: Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin Association of Black Women Band Directors Lauridsen: O Magnum Mysterium Biography: Tonya Mitchell-Spradlin is D...
Episode 185 - Jared Cassedy
February 18, 2021 05:42 - 1 hour - 104 MBJared Cassedy is the current band director at Lexington High School in Massachusetts, after teaching in New Hampshire for many years. He was the 2015 recipient of the Grammy Music Educator of the Year award and offers some great perspective for all band directors. Topics: Jared's background growing up in New Hampshire, his education and training and his early career. Winning the Grammy Music Educator of the Year Award and being locked in a room with Kanye and Kim. Advice for band dire...
Episode 184 - Steve Danyew
February 09, 2021 00:32 - 1 hour - 88.3 MBSteve Danyew is a composer living in Rochester, New York. He has written several very successful for band, including Magnolia Star and Into the Silent Land. Topics: Steve's background growing up and his musical education. Steve plays saxophone and I sing a few notes! Steve's music, including Magnolia Star and the story behind Into the Silent Land. Thoughts about composing and publishing. Links: Steve Danyew - Composer Grainger - Irish Tune Pärt - Spiegel im Spiegel Danyew - ...
Episode 183 - Frank Troyka
February 03, 2021 04:17 - 1 hour - 110 MBFrank Troyka was a longtime band director in Richardson, Texas and now serves as an adjunct instructor at SMU, educational consultant for Conn-Selmer, and director of education for System Blue. Topics: Frank's background growing up in several different locations and the story of how he ended up in Texas. Meeting Eddie Green at Western Michigan and how that led to him moving to Texas to jumpstart his teaching career. Teaching in Texas and some insight into the methodology and structure...
Episode 182 - Allan McMurray
December 07, 2020 05:32 - 1 hour - 112 MBAllan McMurray enjoyed a 35 year career as the Director of Bands at the University of Colorado. Over the course of his remarkable career he has earned numerous honors and awards and is a past president of CBDNA. Topics: Allan’s background in music and his early influences. The influence of H. Robert Reynolds on Allan’s career and some thoughts about the importance of finding great models to emulate. Thoughts about motivating students and showing them that you care and pursuing excelle...
Episode 181 - Mark Spede
November 24, 2020 23:25 - 1 hour - 113 MBMark Spede is the band director at Clemson University and the current president of the College Band Directors National Association. In this episode he shares his story and talks about CBDNA’s role in funding the aerosol study at the University of Colorado. Topics: Mark’s background and musical origin story. His journey from marching band novice to the director of the Clemson University band. Mark’s path to becoming president of CBDNA and the work that the organization has done with th...
Episode 180 - Michael Giannetta
November 10, 2020 04:06 - 1 hour - 101 MBMichael Giannetta is the band director at Oyster Bay High School on Long Island. He has been a band director for 18 years and joins the show to talk about his program and also the Long Island Wind Ensemble. Topics: Michael’s background and the program at Oyster Bay High School. Thoughts about switching beginners. Michael’s experience at the American Band College. Teaching music and band on Long Island as compared to other regions. Links: Long Island Wind Ensemble Grainger: Linco...
Episode 179 - Susan L. Smith
November 02, 2020 05:09 - 1 hour - 95.7 MBSusan L. Smith has taught general, choral, and instrumental music at the elementary through collegiate level in Florida, Virginia and Alabama and has served as an author, clinician, conductor, and adjudicator across the United States Topics: Susan’s early career and education, including the lessons she learned from her mother, who was a high school band director in Virginia. The importance of teaching the students who are in front of you, especially now when everything is so uncertain f...
Episode 178 - Scott Rush
October 05, 2020 04:01 - 1 hour - 96.6 MBScott Rush is the Director of Fine and Performing Arts in Dorchester School District Two in South Carolina and is the former Director of Bands at Wando High School. He is the lead author of the "Habits" series published by GIA and is an active conductor, adjudicator and clinician. Topics: Scott’s background and early teaching career. Studying with Frank Battisti at the New England Conservatory. How to build a band culture, and the program at Wando High School while Scott was the direc...
Episode 177 - Nicholas Williams
September 22, 2020 16:32 - 1 hour - 101 MBNicholas Williams is an Associate Professor of Music, Music Director and Conductor of the Wind Symphony and Concert Band at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. He joins the show to talk about growing up and starting his career in Texas and his recent move to Australia. Topics: Nick’s origin story growing up in Texas, the role of the church in his early musical development, and why his Mom wouldn’t let him play the clarinet. Going to the University of North Texas as an undergraduate a...
Episdoe 176 - Curtis Gaesser
September 15, 2020 03:22 - 1 hour - 95.8 MBCurtis Gaesser has been the band director at Folsom High School in Sacramento, one of the most successful jazz programs in the country, for the past 37 years. Topics: Curtis’ background growing up in Hawai’i and the story of how he ended up at Folsom High School The importance of good administrators. The band program at Folsom High School, particularly the jazz ensembles and choir. What do you do with 51 saxophones? Teaching improvisation. Building a jazz program. Links: Folso...
Episode 175 - Mike Howard
September 01, 2020 04:16 - 1 hour - 110 MBMike Howard is the band director at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas. Under his direction, the Vandegrift Band has won numerous awards and honors and most recently was the 2019 BOA Grand National Champion. Topics: Mike’s background in Texas and his early career, including the story of how he opened Vandegrift High School. Advice from Eddie Green as a young band director. Teaching jazz. Advice for those who are looking to build their programs. Links: Mike Howard & the Vandeg...
Episode 174 - Daniel Morrison
August 24, 2020 04:01 - 59 minutes - 81.4 MBDaniel Morrison is the Director of Bands at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas where he and the the bands under his direction have performed at the Midwest Clinic, marched in both the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Parade, and been consistent Bands of America Regional, Super Regional and Grand National Finalists. Topics: Daniel’s background growing up in suburban Chicago as the son of a very successful high school band director. The story of how Dan ended up gr...
Episode 173 - Scott Edgar
August 17, 2020 04:01 - 1 hour - 101 MBScott Edgar is a music education professor and band director at Lake Forest College and the author of Music Education and Social Emotional Learning. Topics: Scott’s background, education, and early teaching positions. The basics of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) The application of SEL concepts at each level of band teaching. Using SEL to teach equity and justice. Creating a safe space for all students in the band room. Scott’s book and other resources for further study in SEL. ...
Episode 172 - Christian Michael Folk
August 10, 2020 04:01 - 1 hour - 130 MBChristian Michael Folk is a graduate student in music education at the University of South Carolina and the creator of the Diverse Composers of Wind Band Music database. He joins the show to tell the story of his young career and to share the story of how the database came to exist, some of the criticisms he faces, and thoughts about diversity in music education practice. Topics: Christian’s background and his early teaching experiences. The Diverse Composers of Wind Band Music database...
Episode 171 - Eric Jimenez
July 27, 2020 06:09 - 1 hour - 97.8 MBEric Jimenez is a co-host of The Score podcast and assistant band director at Prairie View A&M University. He joins the show for an exceptional conversation about his career, being a Latino band director, and ways that we can create more culturally responsive classrooms. Topics: The score podcast and the story of Eric’s music journey, including the story of being a student at Prairie View A & M, the HBCU traditions, and his early career as a band director. Band director turnover in Titl...
Episode 170 - Theresa Hoover Ducassoux
July 20, 2020 04:33 - 53 minutes - 49 MBTheresa Hoover Ducassoux is the band director at Dorothy Hamm Middle School in Arlington, Virginia and co-author of a forthcoming book titled Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students Topics: Theresa tells the story of how she turned her piano skills into an instrumental music education track despite not playing a traditional band instrument. Following in the footsteps of a legend for her first job and the trials and tribulations of that experience. Using Solfege to teach students...
Episode 169 - Justin McLean
July 14, 2020 05:36 - 1 hour - 92.2 MBJustin McClean is a band director in Houston, Texas and co-host of the “The Score”, which is an urban music education podcast. He joins the show for a very remarkable conversation about how we build a better band community. Topics: Justin’s background story growing up in Texas and the role of the church in his background and why the church is so relevant to so many African-American musicians. Making connections to kids with the music that they listen to and some lessons that Justin took...
Episode 168 - Joseph Hansen
July 06, 2020 04:01 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBMajor Joseph Hansen is the commander and conductor of the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West based at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California. Topics: Joseph’s early career growing up in Western Colorado and attending Brigham Young University. His early career as a teacher and the story of how he transitioned from teaching in Colorado Springs to joining the Air Force. A broad discussion of the Air Force Bands including careers in the Air Force, the organization the A...
Episode 167 - Cheryl Floyd
June 29, 2020 05:37 - 1 hour - 73.6 MBCheryl Floyd has taught middle school band in Austin, TX for over 30 years and is one of the most highly regarded middle school band directors in the country. She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and has commissioned or been part of the consortium for 14 works for band. Topics: Cheryl's background growing up in Texas, going to Baylor University and starting her career as a teacher. The importance of encouraging students and giving them the type of positive feedback that ke...
Episode 166 - Richard Floyd
June 22, 2020 04:01 - 1 hour - 65.8 MBRichard Floyd has been involved in music education for 58 years. His accolades and achievements are too numerous to list and he is a legendary name not only in Texas, but throughout the entire band community. Topics: Richard’s background growing up in the Dallas area, his early band experiences, marching in Eisenhower’s inauguration, and how he got involved in music education. Thoughts about building connections and growing during your career. The Texas band tradition and the Universi...
Episode 165 - Andrew David Perkins
June 15, 2020 04:01 - 1 hour - 59.4 MBAndrew David Perkins is a band director and composer. He joins the show and offers a very clear-eyed view of our profession and offers some wisdom and advice earned from his own career. Topics: Andy’s background, his early high school teaching experiences and how being in Phantom Regiment and the Michigan State Marching Band helped to shape his success teaching a marching band. The balance between over programming and under programming and how it can set students up for success or failu...
Episode 164 - Robert Ambrose
June 01, 2020 05:01 - 1 hour - 88.4 MBRobert Ambrose is the director of bands at Georgia State University, the conductor of the Atlanta Chamber Winds and the National Chamber Winds, founder of the Digital Director's Lounge, and is the chair of the CBDNA Covid-19 Response Committee. Topics: Robert’s journey from guitarist to college band director and all of the people who took an interest in his career and helped to push him along. Having the courage to ask for what you want and a brief discussion of impostor syndrome. The...
Episode 163 - Aaron Perrine
May 26, 2020 05:42 - 1 hour - 65.8 MBAaron Perrine is a composer and two-time winner of the American Bandmasters Association Sousa/Ostwald Award. He joins the show to talk about his career and shares some remarkable anecdotes from his journey so far. Topics: Aaron’s daughter and keeping kids motivated during the period of online learning. Aaron’s background in music and growing up in Minnesota as the grandson and son of band directors. Aaron’s experiences at the University of Minnesota Morris and the importance of jazz ...
Episode 162 - Oscar Dames
May 18, 2020 04:01 - 1 hour - 69.8 MBOscar Dames is a music educator in Nassau, Bahamas where he serves as a lecturer at the University of the Bahamas after recently retiring as the band director of C.R. Walker Senior High School. He has a fascinating story and is also the author of book titled Oscar's A+ Band Director Guide: A Veteran Band Teacher's Guide to Teaching Music. Topics: The unique logistical challenges of living and teaching in the Bahamas and the nature of the school situation in the islands. Oscar’s backgrou...
Episode 161 - Travis Cross
May 12, 2020 04:50 - 1 hour - 93.1 MBTravis Cross is the director of the wind ensemble and the Chair of Music at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. He is a champion for greater diversity in the band community and an especially strong advocate for Asian composers, conductors, and teachers. Topics: Adopted from Korea as a baby, Travis grew up in a middle class home in the middle of Iowa. He tells the story of how his choir teacher pushed him to take a trip to see Starlight Express in Des Moines and how it changed his life. ...
Episode 160 - Adrian Barnes
May 04, 2020 04:01 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBAdrian Barnes is a music education professor at Rowan University. He joins the show for a discussion about his career and culturally responsive teaching. Topics: How hip hop and growing up playing music in the church were foundational experiences to Adrian’s musical career and how an important teacher helped him put it all together. Adrian’s experiences at Bethune-Cookman and Florida State University before his first job in Manatee County, Florida. Going back to earn his doctorate at ...
Episode 159 - Julie Giroux
April 27, 2020 04:15 - 1 hour - 105 MBJulie Giroux joins the show to talk about her remarkable career as a composer and orchestrator as well as her generosity, love of video games, and diversity in music. Topics: Julie’s background growing up in Louisiana and how she went from playing the piano by ear to Los Angeles orchestrating for one of the biggest mini-series of the 1980’s just days after her graduation from LSU. Some stories and anecdotes from her time writing for film and television, including the why she stopped pl...