Everything Band Podcast

Greg 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 School since 1977. Under his direction, the Marian Band has grown from 70 to over 280 members, has earned over 600 awards and honors, and has become one of the premier high school band programs in the United States. Mr. Bimm's history with Bands of America dates back to 1981 when the Marian Catholic marching band came to the BOA Summer Workshop/Festival (now the Summer Symposium) to serve as the "lab band." Directors enrolled in the Directors Workshops observed marching teaching theory in practice with the Workshop faculty an

Alfred 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-year career that surpassed even his “wildest dreams.” Hailing from the small time of Jackson, Georgia and an alumnus of Florida A & M University (FAMU), Watkins built an outstanding and multi-faceted high school band program of international stature. The program was anchored by outstanding concert bands, which provided strong backgrounds for a lifetime of excellence and artistic appreciation to his over 10,000 former students. Ensembles under his baton are recognized for their sonorous sound, excellent intonation, impeccable pr

James 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 extensive training and experience. He has earned degrees from Bowling Green State University and The Ohio State University. In recognition of distinguished contributions, Mr. Swearingen was recently accorded the title of Professor Emeritus from Capital University located in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to his appointment at Capital in 1987, he spent eighteen years teaching instrumental music in the public schools of central Ohio. His first teaching assignment took him to the community of Sunbury, Ohio. He then spent fourteen years as Direct

Dr. 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 to find and recognize their own personal uniqueness as people.” He is widely recognized and frequently invited to share with others in both traditional/ nontraditional, musical/non-musical venues his own energetic, passionate and continuously evolving uniqueness in the intentional human activity that is universally recognized as MUSIC. Ronnie Wooten remains actively engaged in the areas of conducting—its pedagogy, history and evolution with particular focus on applications of nonverbal communication systems in conducting pedag

In 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 Sam Houston, Colin served four years as the Assistant Band Director at York Junior High in Conroe ISD. While at York, he conducted the Symphonic band, Concert II/III bands, assisted with the Wind Ensemble and other concert bands, as well as assisted with the marching band at Grand Oaks under the direction of Mr. Peters, the Symphonic Band and Concert II/III Bands received superior ratings at the UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest, along with First Division and "Best in Class" awards at local area festivals.  Colin Peters g

Tonya 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 Director of Wind Band Studies and Assistant Professor of Music. In addition to conducting the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, overseeing the graduate wind conducting program, teaching courses in wind band literature and wind conducting, she oversees all aspects of the concert band programs at Penn State. Her appointment at PSU follows three years as Assistant Director of Bands and Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina. Prior to her tenure at UofSC, Mitchell-Spradlin taught at Valdosta State University as Direc

Jared 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 directors of all ages about the value of music education and some wisdom that he's learned during his career. Links: Jared Cassedy Giroux: The Grace in Being Biography: Jared Cassedy is currently the K-12 Performing Arts Coordinator for the Lexington Public School System in Lexington, Massachusetts where he supports, supervises, and evaluates the department’s teachers, curriculum and assessment development, budget, and performing arts programming.  Along with his administrative responsibilities he conducts the most advanced conce

Steve 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 - Alcott Songs Biography: Steve Danyew’s music has been hailed as “startlingly beautiful” and “undeniably well crafted and communicative” by the Miami Herald, and has been praised as possessing “sensitivity, skill and tremendous sophistication” by the Kansas City Independent. Danyew (b. 1983) is the recipient of numerous national and international awards for his work, and his compositions have been performed throughout the world in venues such as the Sydney Opera House, the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and the steps of the US Capitol

Frank 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 of Frank's program. Lots nuts and bolts about teaching band and some philosophical discussions about teaching instrumental music. Links: Frank Troyka at SMU Ticheli: Sanctuary Biography: A teacher of 35 years, he is the retired director of bands and coordinator of Fine Arts at Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas. Troyka came to Berkner in May 2006 following seven years as director of bands at Cypress Falls High School in Houston. Ensembles under his direction have been selected to perform at the Music for All National

Allan 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 excellence in your career. “Imitation is the greatest form of flattery but the lowest form of artistry.” The relationship between composers and conductors and how that collaboration can bring out the best in the music. Biography: Allan McMurray is Distinguished Professor and Professor of Conducting Emeritus at the University of Colorado. He served for 35 years as Director of Bands and Chair of the Conducting Faculty before retiring from CU at the end of the 2013 academic year. Prior to this position, he was on the faculty of the Unive

Mark 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 the COVID-19 pandemic. The backstory behind the aerosol study conducted during the summer of 2020.  Links: Mark Spede Clemson Tiger Band Maslanka: Symphony no. 4 Biography: Dr. Mark J. Spede is Professor, Director of Bands, Director of Tiger Band, and Conductor of the Symphonic Band at Clemson University, where he administrates the band program (symphonic, athletic, and jazz bands). Dr. Spede is the recipient of the Clemson University 2009 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities),

Michael 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: Lincolnshire Posy ------- Are you planning to travel with your group sometime soon? If so, please consider my sponsor, Kaleidoscope Adventures, a full service tour company specializing in student group travel. With a former educator as its CEO, Kaleidoscope Adventures is dedicated to changing student lives through travel and they offer high quality service and an attention to detail that comes from more than 25 years of student travel experience. Trust Kaleidoscope’s outstanding staff to focus on your group’s one-of-a-kind adventure, so

Susan 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 from the Coronavirus Pandemic. Servant leadership and putting others before yourself as a teacher. Setting goals, exercise challenges, and the importance of staying healthy so that you can be there for others. Susan’s work at Troy University with the music education program and the importance of moving past just checking the boxes and focusing on excellence. The importance of connecting with kids and finding ways to bring more kids under your influence by offering technology or guitar classes. Marketing your program. Links: S

Scott 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 director. The Habits series Links: Scott Rush Habits Series Grainger: Irish Tune from County Derry Biography: Scott 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 in Mount Pleasant, SC. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and the University of South Carolina. He currently serves as conductor of the Charleston Wind Symphony, a semi-professional ensemble in Charleston, South Ca

Nicholas 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 and Nick’s first teaching job. Teaching only 9th and 10th graders at Clark High School in Plano, Texas. The story of how Nick ended up in Australia and his early observations about the differences between his experience there versus his experiences in Texas. Links: Nicholas Williams Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Persichetti: Symphony no. 6 for Band Barnes: Symphony no. 3, Lento Biography: Dr Nicholas Enrico Williams is an Associate Professor of Music, Music Director and Conductor of the Wind Symphony and Concert Band at

Curtis 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: Folsom High School Music Folsom Jazz Ensemble at the Monterey Jazz Festival Rehearsing the Jazz Band Woody Herman: Caldonia Biography: Curtis Gaesser has been teaching in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District since 1984, and at Folsom High School since 1987. He currently teaches Marching Band, 2 Orchestras, Jazz Choir, 3 Jazz Bands, Concert Band, Color Guard, and Drum Line for grade levels 9-12. IMGP3846.JPG Mr. Gaesser was honored as 1995's "Most Outstanding Music Educator" by the California Association for Music Education and was "

Mike 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 Vandegrift Band Green: On Teaching Band Floyd: The Artistry of Teaching and Making Music Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy Biography: Mr. Howard is currently in his 11th year at Vandegrift High School and in his 17th year of teaching h igh school band. He was one of the founding directors of the band when VHS opened in 2009 and became Head Band Director in the Fall of 2014. While at Vandegrift, Mr. Howard’s bands have been consistent UIL Concert Competition Sweepstakes Award Winners. He has also been instrumental in several marching ba

Daniel 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 graduating from the University of Illinois and getting a band director position in Texas right out of school. The differences between teaching band in Chicago and Texas. The hugely successful band program at Ronald Reagan High School. Happy, not Satisfied. Links: Daniel Morrison Happy, Not Satisfied Hindemith: Symphony in B-flat Biography: Daniel Morrison is currently the Director of Bands at Ronald Reagan High School in San Antonio, TX where he manages and teaches the Marching Band and conducts the Wind Ensemble. In addition

Scott 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. Links: Scott Edgar at Lake Forest College Music Education and Social Emotional Learning Edutopia Music for All CASEL Smith: The Inferno Biography: Dr. Scott N. Edgar is Associate Professor of Music, Music Education Chair, and Director of Bands at Lake Forest College. He received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Michigan, his Masters degree in Education from the University of Dayton, and his Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from Bowling Green State University. His previous teaching ex

Christian 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. A LONG conversation about diversity in music. Links: Diverse Composers of Wind Band Music Database Maslanka: A Child’s Garden of Dreams Biography: Christian Folk is a music educator, conductor, and performer interested in advocacy and resources for diverse composers and incorporating equity and anti-racism into the music education curriculum. Christian taught for three years in public and private schools in the Charlotte, NC, and Columbia, SC area, and is currently working on his Master's Degree in Music Education with e