Almost Everything I've Learned About Teaching Band

Although I have been in music my entire adult life - 34 years to be exact - I did not have a music degree until I was 43 years old. I had wanted to earn my master's degree for many years, but kids, life, and cost prevented me. There are excellent master's in music education that cost 25, 35, 50 thousand or more! Do you know what I paid for mine? Just $9,000! It's more affordable than you think. And there were no student loans.

Air will get you there! I learned this from one of my mentors when he would come to work with my band - and even as a professional musician - when taking lessons - I was told to USE MORE AIR. In this episode I share three tips to help your beginners get a fuller, rounder, thicker, more beautiful tone. It's a process - a life long one at that! Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. 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 recently taught these exact same lessons to my 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands. It didn't take them long to get the hang of playing notes the proper length and acquiring a swing feel. In this episode, I lead you through the process to teach the same concepts to your band. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. 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

It has been a crazy year for teachers! Even though I KNOW I am where I am supposed to be, I still found myself looking at job postings at least 100x the last year. Listen in as I share from my heart about my calling and how those of us with a high EQ can navigate our crazy feelings. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. 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

It's that season, where band teacher jobs are listed and many people change schools. Make sure you change for the RIGHT reason. Here are some tips that helped me a few years ago when I changed positions. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. 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

College is great, but we don't learn everything we need to know there. In this episode, I share seven things I wish I knew BEFORE I started teaching. Learn from my experience. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. 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

There is life after teaching band. It MAY be something still in music, but it may be something totally unrelated to music. You have many options! To get my free resource 40 Ways to Make Money as a Musician send me an email at jamesthedivine@gmail.com. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. 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

You are not going to be the best teacher you can be if you don't put your needs first - physical, relational, spiritual. When you take care of you, you are more equipped to serve your students. Everything in life works under the pay now or pay later rule. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. 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 podcast, I share some great tips and ideas that you can use to create traditions and develop a great culture in your band. You must be intentional in this. The traditions you create will often be the memories that students think of years from now. You have the power to create a terrific culture! Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. 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

What do you think when your principal tells you she would like for you to incorporate reading into band? Do you inwardly groan? Do you dread the thought of giving up an entire day of music for reading? It doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, I interview reading expert Dr. Danny Brassell. He shares tips and strategies to incorporate reading WITHOUT taking away from what you are doing musically. We should incorporate reading - and history - and music theory - and lift unheard voices - but we can do it seamlessly and as part of what we are already teaching, Danny hated reading as a kid, and now he promotes reading to others. Find out more about Danny and get a free book when you go to www.readleadandsucceed.com. Has the show benefited you? Would you consider making a one time donation of $5? Donate here: Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days. 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