Everything Band Podcast

Sean Smith is the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Illinois and a recent graduate of that program. Sean recounts his experiences at his first job, describes the transition from high school teacher to graduate student, and shares his opinion about the larger issues facing music education.

Episode 43 features composer and publisher Walter Cummings. Walter and his wife Janet co-founded Grand Mesa Music Publishers in the early 1990's and have not only survived as a business in a competitive industry, but have had 25 years of nearly continuous growth. Walter shares his story and some of his thoughts about what has made his business so successful.

It was my pleasure to speak with Dutch composer Johan De Meij about composition and his career including his landmark "Lord of the Rings" Symphony.

Composer Tyler S. Grant has enjoyed a meteoric rise to success and is one of the most exciting and interesting young composers for band today. In this  interview Tyler tells his story and provides insight into his background and career.

Current Past President of the Florida Music Educator's Association and 2017 Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor winner John Southall joins me for an inspiring conversation about music education.

Matt Koperniak of Riverwatch Middle School in Georgia joins the show to talk about his school's upcoming performance at the 2017 Midwest Clinic. He also shares his thoughts about music education and tips for other teachers in this very informative episode.

Mary Land joins me to share 29 years of experience as a middle school band director. Also discussed is her role on the Midwest Board of Directors, finding balance as a band director, and her recent transition to college professor.

Kenny Hansen of Blue Springs South High School joins me to discuss his award winning program, the importance of expecting excellence, the value of marches, and the story behind his band's exceptional YouTube channel.

Former director of bands at Eastern Illinois University and current CEO and founder of the non-profit Music Guerrilla, Milt Allen joins me to speak about his own career and his views of music education and the band world.

Joe Parisi is a professor of music education at UMKC and the director of the Fountain City Brass Band. He joins me to talk about music education, brass band, and how music gives us a sense of belonging.

Joshua Gailey is a PhD candidate in musicology at Yale University and his dissertation focuses on the factors that influenced the development of the school band movement during the Progressive Era.

Joe Allison joins me to talk about the marching arts, surrounding yourself with great people, and being open to learning from others.

Mark Norman is the director of bands at the North Carolina School of the Arts, a professional tuba player, and owner of the Charlotte Music School and he brings his wonderfully varied experiences to the podcast in a conversation that takes some unexpectedly informative turns.

Emily Moss, music education professor and chair of the Department of music at California State University, Los Angeles talks about training young music teachers and not allowing our ego to get in the way of our growth.

Middle school band director Aaron Given joins me for a conversation about his background, his career, and his belief that his passion for music influences everything that he does as a teacher.