Band Talk is Back

Latest Episodes:

Alex Kaminsky - VanderCook College of Music Nov 07, 2020

Show notes

Alex Kaminsky is Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL. Alex shares his journey, his mission to prepare great music teachers through his work and why VanderCook is such a special place to learn how to become a music teacher.

Marcia Neel and Cheryl Floyd Oct 29, 2020

Show notes

Marcia Neel talks about the Music Achievement Council and the First Performance National Day of Celebration. Cheryl Floyd talks about finding her voice as a teacher and making music a special experience for her students.

Col. Larry Lang, Retired Commander and Conductor of the USAF Band in Washington, D.C. Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

Col. Larry H. Lang grew up in El Paso, TX and played trombone in both a garage rock band and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. He never dreamed that he would spend 29 years in the United States Air Force and 26 of those as Commander and Conductor of an Air Force Band. Col. Lang talks about how music brings people together and what advice he would offer our next President.

Reginald Wright - He Gave Them A Reason To Be There Oct 08, 2020

Show notes

Reginald Wright grew up in South Carolina and his career path took him to Proviso East High School in suburban Chicago, a few miles west of downtown. There he created a program that changed lives. He gave his students a reason to be there and band became the best part of their lives and the reason many of them attended high school. Reggie is a professional who never made excuses and always saw the glass as half full. He is a band director who really made a difference.

Elizabeth Jackson Kirchhoff Oct 01, 2020

Show notes

Elizabeth Jackson Kirchhoff is a high school band director at Eden Prairie HS, MN who epitomizes the joy of being a band director. With contagious enthusiasm, Liz recalls teaching music in a town of 300 and now a high school of over 3,000. Though there are many differences, some things don't change regardless of where and who we teach. This is an inspirational conversation that will make you glad you chose a career in music education.

George Quinlan, Jr., How Your Music Dealer Can Help You Sep 24, 2020

Show notes

George Quinlan, Jr. is President of Quinlan and Fabish Music Company in Burr Ridge, IL. In their 61st year of servicing the needs of band and orchestra directors and their students, Q and F is the crowned-jewel of school band and orchestra dealers. With 9 locations, 25 road reps and over 50 technicians, they are a vital link in the recruitment and retention process for the schools they serve. George provides great insights and advice on how your music dealer can help you...especially during these uncertain times.

Don Stinson and The Joliet High School Band Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

Donald Stinson is the 5th director in the Joliet (IL) High School Band's 108 year history. Here is a young man with a passion to influence his students' lives through music and the rich traditions that made Joliet one of America's finest band programs. Don's story is one of growing up in Joliet with some of the same struggles his students face today, but he refuses to let them be excuses. Don Stinson is a band director who understands the big picture and is determined to let every student enjoy the view.

A Conversation with Paula Crider Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

As Paula Crider quit her high school basketball team she was handed a trumpet and a career in music followed. After seven days of student teaching she became the school band director. Paula talks about her days of growing up in Mississippi to becoming director of the University of Texas Longhorn Marching Band. A past president of the National Band Association and American Bandmasters Association, Paula offers wonderful insights and advice to band directors at all levels.

Composer Michael Daugherty Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

Growing up the son of a dance band drummer, Michael Daugherty would walk to the library to check out record albums to try and figure out what the jazz greats were playing. From there he got thrown out of band for improvising his timpani parts. Today, he is one of the world's most prolific composers for all musical genres. Michael shares his story in a fascinating conversation that will give you great insight into the mind of this American musical treasure.

Cornelius Young and Dr. Richard Miles Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

Cornelius Young teaches 4-8 band at Green Hedges School in Vienna, VA. Dr. Richard Miles is the retired Director of Bands at Morehead State University in Kentucky and the man who compiled and edited the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band book series. Though different stories to tell, there is a common thread these two directors share...they turned the inspiration others gave them into a passion for teaching people to love music.

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