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The Growing Band Director

Kyle Smith
Music Education
Jazz Education
Improvisation
Student Engagement
Band Directing
Jazz Band
Rhythm Section
Marching Band
Concert Band
Mentorship
Teaching Strategies
Excelsior Music Publishing
Beginning Band
Community Engagement
Band Education
Student Leadership
Middle School Band
Composition
Band Directors
Classroom Management

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. To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the top of growingband.com

PublishesDailyEpisodes429Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for The Growing Band Director

Latest Episodes

Bill Chabot is a high school math teacher from Westbrook High School, and he sits down with Kyle to discuss the similarities they share between math and band, how his time in the military helped form his teaching style, and things he does to help stu... more

Tim Hendrix is the band director at Bentonville HS (AR) and gives us some details and processes on how to set goals for your program, what is beneficial to focus on and what isn't, and ways to enjoy the journey we are all on!⁠1% Better - Creating Sma... more

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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

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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... more

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Peter Sciaino
Band director in New Jersey and composer for jazz and classical band literature
Independent/Various publishers
Episode: 359 Two Chord Jams and the Music of Peter Sciaino
Anne Chambers
Band director at St. Mary Central High School
St. Mary Central School System
Episode: 203 Teaching and Parenting with Anne and Ben Chambers
Ben Chambers
Head middle school band teacher at St. Mary's Academy
St. Mary's Academy
Episode: 203 Teaching and Parenting with Anne and Ben Chambers
Shawn Knopp
Professor at Friends University, Kansas; former high school band director; host of Behind the Baton Podcast
Friends University
Episode: 358 Practical Ways to Sustain Effectiveness with Dr Shawn Knopp
Philip Walters
Middle School Band Director in Anchorage School District
Anchorage School District, Alaska
Episode: 202 Middle School Band with Make Music Cloud - Philip Walters
Larry Clark
Founder of Excelcia Music Publishing; editor and publisher with decades in the industry
Excelcia Music Publishing
Episode: 348 Training Your Eyes To Hear - Selecting Repertoire for Your Band with Larry Clark
Marc Whitlock
An expert in marching ensemble techniques and timing
Episode: 288 Mastering Ensemble Techniques and Timing in Outdoor Marching Ensmbles with Marc Whitlock
Tom Snow
Jazz educator and pianist
Episode: 347 Rhythm Section Ideas for Your Band with Tom Snow
Craig Skeffington
Mentor, Composer, and Music Educator
Episode: 200 Mentor, Composer, Friend with Craig Skeffington

Host

Kyle Smith
Host with a focus on practical instruction, band directing, and program growth.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 67 ratings
  • Encouraging, thoughtful, and engaging

    This show already has a legacy that is encouraging, thoughtful, and engaging. What a gift that you can quickly search and be inspired and motivated with experienced helps from educators that are addressing the same topics you are encountering. As the show has shifted a bit after Jeff’s passing, Kyle remains steadfast. For a quick overview of the show, see episode 144 from the Pass the Baron podcast. Otherwise, it is fun to explore what they created together as they have built a wonderful commu... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JeffGPWV
    United States2 years ago
  • 5 Stars

    Best podcast I’ve found for instrumental music education. I look forward to each episode!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hhbassoon
    United States2 years ago
  • Fantastic Resource

    Thank you Kyle for taking a risk and putting out a super helpful podcast. Always enjoy listening and have exposed myself and program to a lot of new material and ideas because of this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    broberts314
    United States2 years ago
  • Thank you.

    Thank you for continuing to put out such a thoughtful podcast. You, and Krystal were some of the teachers that were pillars in my childhood and young adult life. Some of my favorite memories were winning Gold in 2011 for marching band, with Kyle and Emily as drum majors. And thusly becoming woodwind leader in my senior year of 2012.

    I’ll also never forget our time with the SoPo high school Wind Ensemble where we got to play a collection of Sam Hazo songs, my favorite being Arabesque. Having Ha... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OhAdam314
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Quality guests provide valuable perspectives on education publishing and music learning.
The format balances storytelling with actionable takeaways, making it popular among active directors.
Listeners appreciate the practical, classroom-ready tips for rehearsals and repertoire.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

337 Grade 1/2 - Big Ideas, Small Box of Crayons with Timothy Loest
Q: So do you have any advice for composers, or especially younger composers who are thinking about, okay, well, how do I actually approach that?
Reach out to editors for series guidelines to learn instrument ranges, then write within the center of those ranges and avoid lines crossing to keep texture clear; focus on smooth voice leading and craft each line so it can stand as an independent melody.
335 Practical Teaching Advice for Jazz Drums
Q: What height should the drums be, and how do you set up the drums for comfort and sound?
The guest walks through ergonomic setup, including throne height, feet positioning, snare and cymbal placement, and how to choose gear for comfortable playing and optimal sound; stressed is keeping posture natural and avoiding excessive height or awkward angles.
335 Practical Teaching Advice for Jazz Drums
Q: Could you tell us about those [jazz pedagogy offerings]?
Dennis outlines BOA Summer Camp's jazz track, its schedule, master classes, and the faculty involved, emphasizing daily big-band rehearsals, improv master classes, jam sessions, and instrument pedagogy.
308 Music Selection - Jazz Education Series with Milas Yoes
Q: Milas, would you agree with my mentors' statement that 90% of your success happens before the first downbeat of the first rehearsal?
Yes, absolutely; the most important work is selecting the right repertoire and planning the approach, which sets up fundamentals and opportunities for success from day one.
322 Doug Beach and Aaron Noe
Q: What is the Goal Setting Planner and who is it for?
The planner is designed to help band directors identify where their program currently sits and plan for long-term growth, focusing on four pillars and mapping out five-year goals with practical yearly steps.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Growing Band Director

What is The Growing Band Director about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show targets band directors and music-education professionals with practical, classroom-tested guidance. Episodes cover teaching strategies, repertoire selection, program growth, and leadership in school bands, often featuring experienced directors, publishers, and composers. Guests range from middle- and high-school directors to industry experts, offering actionable tips on rehearsal planning, literature selection, show design, and mentorship. Its emphasis on community-building, cross-campus collaboration, and real-world solutions makes it a valuable resource for program development, recruitment, and student engagement.

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How many listeners does The Growing Band Director get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Growing Band Director?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Growing Band Director:

1. Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band
2. Up First from NPR
3. Take Notes with Balmages and Bernotas
4. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
5. Marching Roundtable Podcast | Marching Arts Education

How many episodes of The Growing Band Director are there?

The Growing Band Director launched 4 years ago and published 429 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Growing Band Director?

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What guests have appeared on The Growing Band Director?

Recent guests on The Growing Band Director include:

1. Peter Sciaino
2. Anne Chambers
3. Ben Chambers
4. Shawn Knopp
5. Philip Walters
6. Larry Clark
7. Marc Whitlock
8. Tom Snow

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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