
The Growing Band Director (81) Have a Better Day, Creating Band Culture, and Leadership Development Throwback with Dr. Matthew Arau
Sep 27, 2025
Dr. Matthew Arau, music education leader and author of Upbeat, shares practical leadership and wellbeing tools for music teachers. He outlines morning routines, breathing and movement techniques, and mindset practices to handle rehearsal disruptions. He also explains building band culture by design and launching student leadership programs to empower musicians and transform rehearsals.
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Lead Yourself First
- Leadership begins with how you lead yourself, not only serving others.
- Self-care preserves your energy and models behavior for students.
Upbeat As Mental Preparatory Gesture
- "Upbeat" links conducting's preparatory upbeat to mental attitudes before action.
- Choosing thoughts shapes perceptions and classroom interactions.
Fix The Band Director Morning
- Recognize the classic band director morning and plan to counter the scramble.
- Set morning routines so you arrive centered instead of exhausted.





