Band Director Boot Camp
Lesley Moffat
Welcome to the Band Director Boot Camp Podcast, where we help busy band directors amplify their impact—not their workload.This is your space to find practical strategies, fresh inspiration, and a community that understands the unique demands of your role.As a band director, you’re constantly balancing rehearsals, performances, administrative tasks, and student needs. It’s easy to feel like more effort is the only solution. But what if you could elevate your program and protect your time and energy?That’s exactly what this podcast is here to help you do. Over the past four seasons, we’ve connected with directors from all walks of life who have discovered smarter, more sustainable ways to run their programs. Each episode is packed with actionable tips and real-world strategies to help you work more efficiently, prioritize what matters, and create a thriving band culture—without running yourself into the ground.Through every conversation, we break down the barriers that make this profession overwhelming and build a community where we support each other’s growth. We celebrate the wins, learn from the tough moments, and stay focused on one mission: making it possible for you to lead with impact and maintain your own well-being.Because the work you do matters—and so do you.Join us and discover how to get more done with less stress, reignite your passion, and make every day on the podium more rewarding.Tune in to the Band Director Boot Camp Podcast—where we amplify your impact, not your workload.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 6, 2023 • 19min
"Motivating and Engaging Students: Strategies for Student-Centered Learning"
In this episode, host Lesley Moffat interviews Leslie Rubio, an experienced band director, about her strategies for motivating and engaging students in the classroom. Leslie Rubio shares three tips that have helped her create a student-centered learning environment and foster student ownership of their progress. She discusses the use of goal charts, a gamification approach, and the elimination of traditional practice logs. By implementing these strategies, Leslie Rubio has seen improved classroom management, reduced stress, and enhanced musicianship among her students.Find her PracticeRace here.
Sep 4, 2023 • 19min
"Organizing Chaos: Productivity Tips for Busy Band Directors"
In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Mr. Ken Kelly, a band director with a unique teaching situation. Ken shares two productivity tips that have helped him manage his busy schedule and support his students effectively. The first tip is about using centralized lesson plans with embedded links to various resources. Ken discusses how this system helps him stay organized and focused, allowing him to transition smoothly between different classes and subjects. He emphasizes the time-saving benefits and the positive impact it has had on his work-life balance.The second tip Ken shares is the implementation of a pass-off or ranking system, inspired by Eric Combs. He explains how this system enables him to differentiate instruction for students at different levels of experience and skill. By assigning specific exercises and allowing students to practice and submit playing tests on their own time, Ken fosters motivation and individual progress. He highlights the benefits of having long-term data for group placements and how it adds legitimacy to the grading process.
Sep 1, 2023 • 19min
Dr. Angela Ammerman Show Notes "Building and Retaining Students in Music Programs: Tips for Recruitment and Retention"
In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Dr. Angela Ammerman, a music education professor, author, clinician, conductor, and host of the podcast "Music Ed Love." Dr. Ammerman shares her insights on successfully building and retaining students in music programs, drawing from her own experiences and the advice of teachers across different environments. She emphasizes the importance of being a highly engaging teacher and creating a positive and interactive recruitment tour. Dr. Ammerman also highlights the need for a comprehensive plan for recruitment and retention, outlining specific tasks to be accomplished each month. By implementing these strategies, band directors can increase student enrollment, build a strong program, and ensure its long-term success.www.angelaammerman.comThe Music Teacher's Guide to Recruitment and Retention:https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/the-music-teacher-s-guide-to-recruitment-and-retention-book-10882 The Music Teacher's Guide to Engaging English Language Learners:https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/the-music-teachers-guide-to-engaging-english-language-learners-book-g10665 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/musicteachersguide/
Aug 30, 2023 • 17min
"Motivating Students through Choice and Gamification in Band"
In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Sandy Osborne, a band director who shares her strategies for motivating students through choice and gamification. Sandy discusses her approach to student engagement, incorporating elements such as rewards, personal choice, and game-like features into the band curriculum. She highlights the benefits of this approach, including increased student participation, improved practice habits, and enhanced skill development. Sandy generously offers a Google Drive folder with resources for interested band directors to implement these strategies in their own classrooms. Listeners are encouraged to visit www.tinyurl.com/sandylovesband to access these resources. Sandy emphasizes the importance of front-loading the planning process and adapting the curriculum based on student needs and experiences.
Aug 28, 2023 • 17min
"Percussion Resources for Band Directors: Note Naming, Scale Sequences, and Daily Drills"
In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Alejandro Gonzalez, a band director specializing in percussion. Alejandro shares three practical and helpful resources he has created for band directors: "Note Naming for Musicians," "Scale Sequences for Percussion," and "10 Daily Drills for Percussion." He explains how these resources can be used to teach note reading, scales, and warm-up routines in a comprehensive and engaging way. Alejandro also discusses his invention, the P-1000 practice table, a patented community table designed for percussionists that promotes collaboration and efficient practice. Listeners are encouraged to visit Alejandro's website, AAGMuzic.com, to learn more and watch videos demonstrating his resources and practice table.
Aug 25, 2023 • 17min
"Not Taking Things Personally: Strategies for Maintaining Mental Wellness"
In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Cynthia Navarro, a band director from Portland, OR. Cynthia shares her personal experiences and strategies for not taking things personally in the classroom. She discusses her motivation for becoming a band director, the challenges she faced during a difficult transition, and how she learned to handle negative comments from students and colleagues. Cynthia emphasizes the importance of maintaining mental wellness and offers practical tips for new music teachers.
Aug 23, 2023 • 18min
"Work-Life Integration: Prioritizing Wellness for Band Directors"
In this episode, host Lesley Moffat interviews Ashley Wurtz, a band director from Texas, about the importance of work-life balance and wellness in the demanding field of music education. Ashley shares her personal journey of realizing the need for balance and intentionally working towards it as a single mother and dedicated band director. They discuss the challenges faced by band directors and the necessity of setting boundaries, advocating for oneself, and making gradual changes to achieve a healthier work-life integration. The conversation highlights the importance of being mindful of individual needs and finding ways to work efficiently without sacrificing personal well-being and quality time with loved ones.
Aug 21, 2023 • 19min
"Efficiency Strategies for Busy Band Directors"
In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Krystal Williams, a former band director turned professor and general music teacher. Krystal shares her journey from being a student in band to becoming a band director, highlighting the impact music had on her life during a difficult time. She then discusses the challenges she faced when transitioning from middle school to high school, where the demands and commitments increased significantly. Krystal explains how she implemented various strategies to make her job more efficient and create a better work-life balance. These strategies include organization, delegation, utilizing technology and apps, seeking resources from other teachers and businesses, and tapping into the support of her community. Krystal emphasizes the importance of being organized, not discarding ideas that didn't work initially, and finding ways to access and reuse resources. She also encourages band directors to avoid overworking themselves and to prioritize their well-being. The episode concludes with a reminder that the work band directors do is essential and impactful.
Aug 18, 2023 • 18min
"Breathing Techniques for Stress Management and Calmness"
In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Brenda Winkle, a music teacher with 26 years of experience, who is also an educator, healer, and guide. Brenda shares her journey of discovering the power of breathwork and its positive impact on stress management. She explains how implementing breathwork techniques in her classroom helped her and her students find calmness and improve behavior. Brenda emphasizes the physiological effects of breathwork, including reducing blood pressure, lowering heart rate, and promoting a neutral pH in the blood. She teaches two breath patterns: the square breath, which promotes centering and reduces anxiety, and the candle breath, which quickly inhales and long exhales to release tension. Brenda highlights the importance of teaching and practicing breathwork when not escalated to make it an effective tool in times of stress.Check out Brenda’s resources at https://www.brendawinkle.com/educator
Aug 16, 2023 • 19min
"Finding Harmony: Lessons in Wellness and Relationships"
In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Andrea Brannman, a middle school band director with 10 years of experience. Andrea shares her journey towards finding a healthier and happier approach to her profession, emphasizing the importance of wellness and building relationships with colleagues. She discusses the challenges she faced in her early years, including burnout, overcommitment, and struggling to balance various responsibilities. Andrea highlights the turning point in her career, when she took a leave of absence and made intentional changes to prioritize her well-being. She explains how she set boundaries, reduced extracurricular activities, and focused on being fully present during contracted hours. Through this transformation, Andrea discovered that her relationships with her students remained meaningful and magical, even without excessive extras. She also emphasizes the value of having interests and relationships outside of the music world, which provides mental and emotional space and allows for a more balanced perspective.
