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Artwork for The Growing Band Director

The Growing Band Director

Kyle Smith
Music Education
Maintenance Tips
Instrument Repair
Jazz Music
Pierre Laplante
Programming
Brass Instruments
Woodwinds
Maine All State Band
Maine All-State Conference
Improvisation
American Folk Tunes
Jazz Education
Count Basie
Memory Retention
Upbeat Global
Samba
Bossa Nova
All State Festival
Instrument Selection

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes400Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for The Growing Band Director

Latest Episodes

Rick Stitzel is one of the best writers and arrangers for jazz ensemble that we have. He joins the show to share his experiences and charts. Featured are arrangements of great standard tunes for your jazz ensemble as well as original works available ... more

YouTube

⁠Support the Show Here⁠

Band directors can be fit, and need to strive for overall health in order to be the best versions of themself. Benjamin Taylor joins the show to discuss practical and achievable ways to stay fit for your whole life.

To gain ... more

⁠Support the Show Here⁠

Dennis Crystal is a California-based band director and professional jazz drummer. He sits down with Kyle to give information to help band directors teach their jazz band drummers.

John Riley’s “The Art of Bop Drumming”

Ste... more

YouTube

Jazz Pedagogy and Repertoire Playlist⁠⁠

⁠⁠Diving Into Jazz With Confidence and Joy - Milas Yoes⁠⁠

Milas Yoes joins the show in this four part series on Jazz Education-

Teaching Improv

Teaching Swing Feel

Teaching the Rhythm Section

Music Select... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Rick Stitzel
Renowned arranger and composer, particularly for jazz band.
Rick Stitzel Music
Episode: 197 Rick Stitzel-The Essence of Swing
Dennis Crystal
Director of bands at Newbury Park High School; coordinator of the jazz division at the BOA Summer Camp
Newbury Park High School; Bands of America Summer Camp
Episode: 335 Practical Teaching Advice for Jazz Drums
Milas Yoes
Jazz educator and author
Independent
Episode: 308 Music Selection - Jazz Education Series with Milas Yoes
Rob Westerberg
Music educator and musician with insights on analytical teaching methods
York High School
Episode: 195 Grow Your Teaching with Rob Westerberg
Jeff Jarvis
Jazz Band writer and former part owner of Kendor
Kendor Publications
Episode: 312 Heath Wolf and Jeff Jarvis
Jerry Tolson
Retired Director of Jazz Studies from University of Louisville
University of Louisville
Episode: 324 Teaching Jazz with Jerry Tolson
Reed Bailey
Band director with experience starting new programs.
Cienega High School
Episode: 188 Success in Year One with Reed Bailey
Paul Baker
Composer and writer known for Bakers Jazz and More
Bakers Jazz and More
Episode: 323 Paul Baker and Jackson Smith
Jackson Smith
Friend of the host and returning guest
The Growing Band Director Podcast
Episode: 323 Paul Baker and Jackson Smith

Host

Kyle Smith
Host of The Growing Band Director Podcast; frequent presence across episodes in an interviewer and host capacity.

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.

Episodes are seen as a valuable resource for repertoire ideas and classroom strategies, though some listeners note shifts in tone after a pivotal host transition.
Many appreciate the varied guest mix, from university educators to seasoned high school directors.
Listeners praise practical, mentorship-focused guidance for directors.

Top Education Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
321 Terry White and Dan Austin
Q: What are you looking for when you're given an assignment on a standard tune, especially when deciding grade two versus grade one arrangements?
The melody must stay clear and intact; I look for trouble spots in rhythms that young players might misread and I fix those while keeping the composer's intent in mind, then simplify harmonies gradually and consider what's essential for the rehearsal process.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Age Range
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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?

A practical, educator-focused show that centers on how to run and improve school and community bands. Episodes frequently cover pedagogy, repertoire selection, conducting technique, ensemble leadership, and real-world challenges facing band directors, with guests ranging from university educators to seasoned K-12 directors and composers. Noteworthy are the hands-on teaching strategies, emphasis on mentorship, and the blend of classroom-ready tips with broader industry perspectives, making it valuable for directors at all career stages and for music-education students preparing to enter the field.

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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. After Sectionals
3. Band BFFs
4. The Moth
5. This American Life

How many episodes of The Growing Band Director are there?

The Growing Band Director launched 4 years ago and published 400 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. Rick Stitzel
2. Dennis Crystal
3. Milas Yoes
4. Rob Westerberg
5. Jeff Jarvis
6. Jerry Tolson
7. Reed Bailey
8. Paul Baker

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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