Teaching Marching Band with Evan Van Dorn

Former band director Evan Van Dorn discusses successful strategies for teaching marching band. One key technique he highlights is the 'check and adjust' method, which allows students to assess their performance and make corrections. He suggests ending drills in minus one to clarify the end of the set and encourages freezing in position to check and adjust. Van Dorn emphasizes the importance of moving only the eyes during the 'check' phase and gradually allowing head movement during the 'adjust' phase. Another aspect he addresses is marking the ground, advising against it except for special circumstances like learning curved pathways. The podcast also stresses the significance of making students vocalize by actively participating in musical exercises and counting, promoting a culture of contribution and accountability.