Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)?   Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.   Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101.   Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.   Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.   Subscribe in iTunes    Multitude of links and resources here

It is my pleasure to interview the fabulous Dr. Ray Cramer in this episode. Dr. Cramer has inspired so many of us and has devoted a lifetime to music service. He is 81 years old! His best advice for young directors is to be patient, accept students where they are while helping them to get better, be creative, and use your time wisely. Believe it or not, he almost didn't continue in band. "Dr. Zimmerman changed my life." Dr. Cramer also says that "Life isn't always tied with a bow, but it is a gift." Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101. Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.  Multitude of links and resources here

Do you have trouble getting a good sound from your saxes? In this episode I share 4 tips - and real life bad and good examples - to help your saxes sound much better with a more focused sound. Sometimes an adaptation in the amount of mouthpiece a student takes, or even the strength of a reed, can make a huge difference. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101. Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.  Multitude of links and resources here

In this episode, I have the privilege of interviewing Dr. Menghini of VanderCook College of Music. We talk about engaging students in the rehearsal process. Do we teach our students, train them, or tell them? There's an important distinction. Do they know what to do? Do you ask them a lot of questions? Hint: You should. That's what teaching is really all about. Let THEM do the work, the thinking, the problem solving. Get in touch with Dr. Menghini at bandtalkcharlie@gmail.com. And subscribe to his podcast on iTunes. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101. Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.  Multitude of links and resources here

I was transplanted into teaching from a performing career. I didn't know anybody, but I quickly found my homies who could give me advice and encouragement when needed. It's important to find someone you can call - on the phone - or have coffee with. Social media friends don't count. Oh, there are times when that can help, but there are times you just need to cry with someone. The greatest mentor I ever had was Hosea Haynes. He was a member of the American School Band Director's Association, an organization I'm proud to be a part of now. If you don't have some great people you can call, it just might be your own fault. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101. Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.  Multitude of links and resources here

For years I have listened to interviews where people grew up in an award winning program, decided to be a teacher, went back to the award winning program to do their student teaching, found out the director was retiring and wanted them to step into the award winning program, and it continues to be an award winning program. That is wonderful! But it hasn't been my story. I have had to basically build each program from scratch. Don't be afraid of doing that yourself! Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101. Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.  Multitude of links and resources here

With 23 years of teaching and ten as a professional musician, I have learned a lot over the years - much of it the hard way. Not every technique works for every band every single time, but in this episode I share dozens of quick tips that have worked for me and others. Tips to improve tone and tuning, tips to improve balance and technique - and more. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101. Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.  Multitude of links and resources here

Do you keep a planner, either electronic or old school? It's not enough just to "keep" one. Make it a tool to help you plan your life and keep you balanced. In this episode, I share seven strategies that have helped me be more balanced and be a much more effective teacher. Find out why I have a two year calendar and what exactly I do on Friday nights. Why is it important to learn to say no. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101. Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.  Multitude of links and resources here

Do you feel safe behind the podium? Get out from behind there! It's not the best place for you. In this episode we talk about the podium, pacing, and getting 100% of students to participate. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101. Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.  Multitude of links and resources here

Do you want to make your first week of school great? Do you want to make band fun? Get the students doing something musical from day one! EVERY OTHER TEACHER is going to spend the entire first day talking about rules, rules, rules. That makes MY eyes glaze over. Sift your rules down to just 2-3. You can always go more in depth later. Start the first week with high expectations and lots of energy. And check out Episode 182: Should You Focus On Sound With Beginners Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)? Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101. Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk. Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193.  Multitude of links and resources here