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Artwork for The Growing Band Director

The Growing Band Director

Kyle Smith
Music Education
Maintenance Tips
Instrument Repair
Improvisation
Jazz Music
Pierre Laplante
Programming
Jazz Rhythm Section Techniques
Brass Instruments
Woodwinds
Maine All State Band
Maine All-State Conference
American Folk Tunes
Count Basie
Jazz Education
Memory Retention
Upbeat Global
All State Festival
Instrument Selection
Mother Earth Fanfare

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes353Founded4 years ago
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Education

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Artwork for The Growing Band Director

Latest Episodes

In this episode Kyle meets with Laura Estes to learn some keys to crafting rehearsals to help your student succeed, and they have a conversation about Laura's switch to being a composer, and finally - feature two amazing compositions of hers

- Coo... more

Christy Stump is the band director at Gulf Breeze Middle School in Gulf Breeze, Florida. She joins the show to give ways in ensure your students are successful in their sight reading process at assessment festival.

To gain access to all show notes a... more

YouTube

Learn from experienced beginning band educator Mary Cogswell, as she teams up with Ron Stary to discuss many aspects of teaching beginning band, including some new repertoire recently put out through Murphy Press for your beginners!

To gain access ... more

Guests include Colonel John Bourgeois, Doug Beach, Paul Baker, Tim Hendrix, Dennis Llinas, Tyler Reese, Christina Huss and Michael Sweeney

Support the Show Here

To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and c... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Colonel John Bourgeois
Former conductor of the President's Own Marine Band, sharing insights from decades in service.
U.S. Marine Corps
Episode: 311 - Midwest Clinic Day Three - Colonel John Bourgeois
Doug Beach
Founder of Doug Beach Music, discussing accessible music for younger musicians.
Doug Beach Music
Episode: 311 - Midwest Clinic Day Three - Colonel John Bourgeois
Paul Baker
Owner of Baker's Jazz and More, discussing popular jazz charts for young bands.
Baker's Jazz and More
Episode: 311 - Midwest Clinic Day Three - Colonel John Bourgeois
Tim Hendrix
Band director sharing experiences from marching and concert bands.
Arkansas School District
Episode: 311 - Midwest Clinic Day Three - Colonel John Bourgeois
Dennis Llinas
Director of Bands at University of Oregon, composer focused on Latin and diverse music.
University of Oregon
Episode: 311 - Midwest Clinic Day Three - Colonel John Bourgeois
Mike Sweeney
Renowned composer and educator discussing jazz and concert band arrangements.
Hal Leonard
Episode: 311 - Midwest Clinic Day Three - Colonel John Bourgeois
Christina Huss
Composer and former band director specializing in music for young ensembles.
Excelsior Music Publishing
Episode: 311 - Midwest Clinic Day Three - Colonel John Bourgeois
Heather Hastings
Teacher and composer from Maine
Episode: Midwest 2025 Day 1
Aaron Noe
Band director and educator sharing insights on conducting band programs
Episode: Midwest 2025 Day 1

Host

Kyle Smith
Host and key contributor on educational strategies and resources for band directors, emphasizing the development of practical teaching methodologies.

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 Statesa year 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.

Listeners appreciate the practical advice and thought-provoking content, frequently highlighting the engaging and encouraging nature of discussions.
The community aspect is especially noted, with many finding value in the shared experiences and mutual support from fellow educators.
Overall, reviews convey strong satisfaction and a sense of gratitude for the insights gained from expert guests and hosts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Midwest 2025 Day 1
Q: What about advice for band directors who might want to start composing?
Jump into it. You have the practical knowledge to know what works and doesn't.
(92) When Students Don’t Seem to Want to Improve Throwback with Tyler Ehrlich
Q: What advice do you have for those considering pursuing a doctorate in music education?
Engage with faculty and seek out mentors at universities to guide your professional journey.
294 The Pursuit of Excellence-A Band Director's Guide to Success with Sally Wagner
Q: What led you to get into discussing motivation?
Wagner shares about a series of clinics she gave focusing on getting students into the class and retaining them, emphasizing the importance of FaceTime with incoming students.
294 The Pursuit of Excellence-A Band Director's Guide to Success with Sally Wagner
Q: What do you sort of, what kind of comes to your mind as you look back on your career of those 34 years?
Wagner reflects that she never worked a day in her life because she loved teaching music, despite the challenges.
291 Grade 1-2 Flex Band Music with Nick Pierce
Q: What are the challenges and opportunities when using flex band music?
Flex band music can be challenging because it often lacks the differentiation typical in standard pieces, making it harder for some students. However, it also provides unique opportunities for smaller groups to perform high-quality music adapted to their needs.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

Content is centered around providing invaluable insights and practical advice tailored for band directors across all experience levels. Topics encompass effective teaching techniques, concert programming, and mentorship, while also highlighting the necessary skills for student engagement and growth within music education. Notable episodes feature discussions on commissioning music for beginner bands, exploring essential pieces for student repertoire, and sharing rehearsal strategies that emphasize student involvement and leadership. This resource stands out for its dedication to fostering a supportive community for band educators, making it a go-to source for enhancing pedagogical practices in music education.

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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. After Sectionals
2. Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band
3. That Band Life
4. How Did This Get Made?
5. Up First from NPR

How many episodes of The Growing Band Director are there?

The Growing Band Director launched 4 years ago and published 353 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Growing Band Director?

Recent guests on The Growing Band Director include:

1. Colonel John Bourgeois
2. Doug Beach
3. Paul Baker
4. Tim Hendrix
5. Dennis Llinas
6. Mike Sweeney
7. Christina Huss
8. Heather Hastings

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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