The Growing Band Director

Kyle Smith
undefined
Sep 13, 2025 • 1h 15min

(83) Beginning Band Throwback with Larry Jackson and Krystle Smith

Learn some amazing ways to start your beginners off with a chance to sound amazing in their first year! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com 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. Connect with us with comments or ideas Follow the show: Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com On Youtube The Growing Band Director  Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector If you like what you hear please: Leave a Five Star Review and  Share us with another band director!
undefined
Sep 11, 2025 • 54min

296 Ignite the Fire and Teach Fundamentals - A Career Building Bands with Dave Phillips and Christian Garnes

Dave Phillips, a retired Ohio band director who rebuilt rural and regional programs over decades. He talks about turning school culture around, teaching fundamentals to transform ensembles, strategies for middle school scheduling and rehearsals, programming wisely, and how adjudication and mentorship shaped his approach.
undefined
Sep 8, 2025 • 45min

284 There Are Never Any Problems, Only Opportunities with Mark Caspersen

Mark Caspersen is a veteran band director of 39 years from Plano, TX, and the inventor of Tuner Caddy. He joins Kyle from the Habits Institute in South Carolina to talk band - some of his favorite teaching pieces and composers - as well as ways to connect with your students and to help your band lock in their tuning!To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.comOur 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.Connect with us with comments or ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!
undefined
Sep 6, 2025 • 1h 49min

(98) Teaching Analytically Throwback with Rob Westerberg

Rob Westerberg is the 2023 Recipient of the Outstanding Music Educator of the Year for the Northeast by the National Federation of State High Schools. Buckle up - we dive deep! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com 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. Connect with us with comments or ideas Follow the show: Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com On Youtube The Growing Band Director  Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector If you like what you hear please: Leave a Five Star Review and  Share us with another band director!
undefined
Sep 4, 2025 • 42min

295 Beginning Band Problem Solving Q and A with Krystle Smith

Alex Wright joins Krystle to discuss questions and look for ideas for his beginning band program.To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.comOur 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.Connect with us with comments or ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!
undefined
Sep 1, 2025 • 53min

288 Mastering Ensemble Techniques and Timing in Outdoor Marching Ensmbles with Marc Whitlock

Veteran judge and band director Marc Whitlock joins Kyle for a discussion around best practices and rehearsal tips to have a productive, detail-oriented rehearsal that leads to successful performances, as well as methods to make sure your students understand how to play in time, no matter where they are on the marching band field.To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.comOur 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.Connect with us with comments or ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!
undefined
Aug 30, 2025 • 37min

(53) Tips for Improving Your Jazz Ensemble Throwback with Terry White

Learn from one of the best Jazz Writers and Clinicians out there! This is the first part of a THREE part series to take your Jazz Ensemble to the next level! A can't miss! Don Zentz - Best Charts to use with your band Master List! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com 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. Connect with us with comments or ideas Follow the show: Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com On Youtube The Growing Band Director  Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector If you like what you hear please: Leave a Five Star Review and  Share us with another band director!
undefined
Aug 28, 2025 • 38min

279 Band Music With Anthony O'Toole

Kyle sits down with composer Anthony O'Toole to discuss some of his works for band.Anthony's WebsiteTo gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.comOur 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.Connect with us with comments or ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!
undefined
Aug 25, 2025 • 55min

281 Jazz Education in Schools with Rich DeRosa

Joining Kyle is Grammy nominated composer and arranger Rich DeRosa. From his experience as the Director of Jazz Composition and Arranging at University of North Texas to his time writing for and conducting the WDR Big Band in Germany - Rich has a vast background that can help us in our journey to be better jazz educators.To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.comOur 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.Connect with us with comments or ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!
undefined
Aug 23, 2025 • 58min

(71)Dennis Llinas on Conducting, Rehearsing and "The Workshop" Throwback

The Director of Bands at University of Oregon, Dennis Llinas sits down with Kyle and Jeff. Get insight into a great new tool Dennis has conceived called "The Workshop" - plus many more insights to conducting, and all things music education! To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com 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. Connect with us with comments or ideas Follow the show: Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com On Youtube The Growing Band Director  Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector If you like what you hear please: Leave a Five Star Review and  Share us with another band director!

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app