Band Director Boot Camp

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat sits down with veteran music educator and author James Devine for some honest, practical survival strategies for life in the band room. With nearly three decades of teaching experience across private schools, public schools, and charter programs, James shares seven simple but powerful habits that can help band directors reclaim at least five hours every week.This conversation is all about working smarter, not harder. James walks through realistic ways to limit time-sucking distractions, tame your inbox, and stop letting meetings and unfinished projects drain your energy. From the two-minute rule to scheduling focused work time and giving yourself permission not to finish everything, these ideas are immediately actionable and grounded in real classroom life.You’ll also hear why weekly review and preview routines matter, how small organizational shifts can dramatically reduce stress, and why burnout often comes from systems that don’t serve us anymore. If you love your job but feel like it’s slowly wearing you down, this episode offers grounded strategies to help you stay effective, balanced, and in the profession for the long haul.James also shares details about his book, Almost Everything I’ve Learned About Teaching Band, a practical handbook filled with short, usable lessons designed specifically for busy band directors.

In this high-energy, strategy-packed episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat welcomes veteran music educator, composer, and clinician Dr. Scott Watson to share his go-to ideas for launching the school year with purpose, playfulness, and less overwhelm.Whether you’re on day one or deep into the semester, this episode offers practical advice to help you set the tone, build routines that work, and reconnect with your students in meaningful ways. Scott shares classroom-tested games and challenges that boost engagement and reinforce fundamentals without sacrificing musical rigor.🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:Why “There’s always next week” might be the motto you needHow games like King of the Hill, BPS (Best Possible Sound), and the Three-Time Rule can transform your rehearsalsThe power of warm-ups, consistent routines, and nonverbal cuesHow to create a safe environment where students can take risks and support each otherWhy asking for help and learning from mentors isn’t just okay—it’s essentialLesley and Scott also talk about how teaching has changed over the decades, how to meet students where they are, and why your early investment in expectations and culture pays off all year long.Bonus: Scott is generously sharing a Google Doc with 50 rehearsal games and challenges you can start using this week. Check the link in the show notes!Mentioned in This Episode:Scott Watson’s music & resources: ScottWatsonMusic.comSponsors: mPowered Music Educator Academy and Kennelly Keys MusicFree download of 50 rehearsal games: Here’s a direct link to the Games & Challenges doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iwakJni6-1dsVcxycNNxDu8qj05G0z0fPZ95i7_k8ic/edit

Explore the hidden struggles of music educators burdened by overwhelming administrative tasks. Discover how innovative AI tools like Backstage Buddy can revolutionize support for these teachers. The discussion reveals the toll of burnout and turnover in the performing arts. Learn how supervisors can step up to ease the logistical chaos while also lightening their own workload. This insightful dialogue emphasizes the need for systemic changes to create a more equitable environment for all educators.

In this moving episode of the Band Director Boot Camp Podcast, host Lesley Moffat welcomes longtime New York band director and debut author Lindsey Williams. Together, they explore themes of resilience, loss, recovery, and mentorship through the lens of Lindsey’s powerful new book, Where the Valley Widens—a collection of 40 stories inspired by her first group of students who journeyed with her from pre-K to high school graduation.Lindsey opens up about the unexpected challenges she faced, including the loss of her school and teaching materials to a flood and the heartbreak of pandemic-era graduations. She shares the emotional story of her mentor’s lasting influence, how a file folder became a lifeline, and how her book ultimately became a legacy box of memories and encouragement for others.Whether you're a veteran teacher, a new educator, or someone looking for a reminder of why this work matters, this episode offers heartfelt insight and uplifting takeaways. Lindsey’s reflections are a tribute to the teaching profession, the power of mentorship, and the importance of preserving the meaningful moments that sustain us through tough times.Connect with her at lindseywilliamsmusic.com. Instagram: @LindseyWilliamsMusicFacebook: facebook.com/LindseyWilliamsMusic/Link to Bookshop Order Page:Link to Amazon Order Page:

In this inspiring episode of the Band Director Boot Camp Podcast, host Lesley Moffat welcomes singer-songwriter, TEDx speaker, and youth empowerment coach Emma G. Her story is nothing short of remarkable—born with hydrocephalus and having undergone 23 brain surgeries, Emma found healing and purpose through songwriting. Now she helps others do the same.Lesley and Emma dive into:How music supported Emma’s physical and emotional healingWhy songwriting is such a powerful tool for student expression, especially post-COVIDThe neuroscience behind music’s ability to rewire the brainEmma’s experience working with students (including Lesley’s!) to help them process emotions through musicTips for band directors and music teachers to bring songwriting into the classroom—even without a formal songwriting backgroundIf you’ve ever watched a student struggle with big emotions or felt your own burnout creeping in, this episode will renew your belief in the transformative power of music. Plus, Emma shares actionable steps to start songwriting and discusses her new book Mental Health Sounds Like This.Learn more at emmagmusic.com and connect with her on all socials @emmagmusic.

In this heartfelt and practical episode of the Band Director Boot Camp Podcast, Lesley Moffat is joined by Jeanette Mihalchik, host of The Happy Music Teacher podcast and YouTube channel. Jeanette shares her journey from total overwhelm and burnout—sitting on the classroom floor wondering if she could keep going—to becoming a thriving, joy-filled educator committed to helping others rediscover their spark.Together, Lesley and Jeanette explore:The realities of entering teaching through the “back door” and learning on the flyWhat to do when the job feels unsustainable—even if you love the kidsWhy movement, brain breaks, and student-led moments make a differenceHow mindset shifts and small pivots can turn exhaustion into engagementConcrete strategies for making teaching feel easier and more joyful at any grade levelYou’ll leave this episode with renewed hope and a few easy-to-implement tools to bring more energy, balance, and student connection into your classroom.Learn more about Jeanette’s resources and sign up for her free weekly “Happy Highlights” at thehappymusicteacher.com/lesson-plan-samplerHer website: https://thehappymusicteacher.comFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15mAFiMcPk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehappymusicteacher/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehappymusicteacher?

In this revealing episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat welcomes Megan Cooney, Director of Athletic Bands at Rowan University, to share the behind-the-scenes reality of starting a collegiate band program from scratch. From budgeting to branding to building leadership, Megan walks us through the surprising and often overlooked responsibilities of life as a college band director.You’ll learn:Why collegiate band directors operate more like small business owners than conductorsThe difference between high school and college support systems (no band boosters!)The logistical demands of designing uniforms, managing million-dollar budgets, and insuring equipmentHow student leadership becomes essential—and why she pays her leadersWhy game day is a 14-hour marathon that requires hydration planning, mental prep, and physical staminaThe call for collaboration: Megan invites other collegiate directors to help create resources for those entering this unique career pathIf you're curious about the college track—or helping others succeed in it—this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom and a passionate call to support the next generation of music educators.

Glenn Williams, a veteran music educator with decades of experience in high school bands and mentorship, shares his insights on transformative literature for music teachers. He emphasizes the power of 'The Last Lecture' in defining one's legacy and how 'The Art of Possibility' can shift your classroom culture. Glenn also discusses 'A Guide to Student Teaching in Band,' offering timeless wisdom, and breaks down the 7 Norms of Collaboration, providing practical tools for building effective teams. This conversation is filled with reflection, inspiration, and essential advice for educators.

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat sits down with Don Crafton, founder and CEO of Sight Reading Factory, to explore how this innovative platform helps band directors save time, reduce stress, and build stronger music literacy in their students.Don shares how his own frustrations as a band director led him to create a customizable, algorithm-based tool that allows for fresh sight reading exercises every time. You’ll learn how Sight Reading Factory:Eliminates the chaos of paper sight reading materialsMakes daily sight reading realistic and time-efficient (even just 5 minutes!)Offers auto-assessment and instant visual feedback for student growthSupports differentiation, SPED, and ELL learners with built-in data collectionReinforces concepts alongside method books—even for beginnersProvides powerful data for teacher evaluations and administrative conversationsWhether you're new to tech or a seasoned pro, this episode will show you how to use sight reading not just to prep for performance, but to foster independence and confidence in every student.https://sightreadingfactory.com

In this energizing and practical episode of the Band Director Boot Camp podcast, Lesley Moffat is joined by fitness expert Jonathan Simos, who shares easy, sustainable strategies for weaving exercise into even the busiest teaching schedule. Jonathan opens up about his journey from injury-prone teenager to Guinness World Record holder and certified trainer—showing how fitness transformed his body, mindset, and life.Lesley and Jonathan dive into the parallels between building a healthy body and teaching music: mastering fundamentals, staying consistent, and doing things the right way to prevent damage. Whether you are brand new to exercise or struggling to stay consistent during concert season chaos, you’ll walk away with doable tips to improve your physical and mental wellness.What You’ll Learn:How to break down effective full-body workouts into simple, time-saving routinesWhy fitness is a “keystone habit” that benefits every part of your lifeWays to stay active even when your schedule is packed to the maxLesley’s personal push-up journey and how tiny consistent actions lead to transformationHow to find movement you enjoy—so you’ll actually stick with itYou’ll also hear about Jonathan’s upcoming fitness venture, why coaching matters, and how building strength can help you show up stronger for your students and yourself. This episode is your reminder that taking care of your body isn't selfish—it's essential for a sustainable, joyful teaching career.Guest Info:Follow Jonathan on Instagram: @jonathan.simosCheck out his upcoming program and community: neuxist.com