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The Band Dads Podcast — Arts
The Band Dads Podcast

Band is more than music. It’s pressure, passion, leadership, chaos, life lessons, unforgettable moments… and a community unlike anything else.

The Band Dads Podcast pulls back the curtain on the world of marching band, concert band, music education, and the people who live it every day. Hosted by band dads — including a former band director bringing years of insider experience and perspective most parents never get access to — this podcast dives into the stories, challenges, victories, and culture that make band life so unique.

From rehearsals, competitions, road trips, fundraising, and late-nights in the band room to the decision-making, strategy, and behind-the-scenes realities of running a successful program, we explore the conversations happening both on and off the field. Leadership. Competition. Burnout. Growth. Success. Failure. Family. The emotional highs of performance and the hilarious realities nobody talks about enough.

Whether you’re a band kid, a proud parent, a music educator, or someone who simply loves hearing passionate people talk about the things that shape lives and build community, there’s something here for you.

New episodes feature honest discussions, interviews, deep dives into band culture, insider perspective, and plenty of humor along the way.

Because band isn’t just an activity. For many of us… it becomes part of who we are.

Contact us: feedback@banddadspodcast.com

https://www.banddadspodcast.com/

Copyright: © 2025 The Band Dads Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Carnegie Hall & Canceled Flights : NYC Travel Edition Apr 01, 2026

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Scott and Chris leave the confines the Scott Lang Library and take you with them to the heart of New York City—where towering skyscrapers, the energy of Times Square, and the buzz of 5th Avenue set the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime performance at Carnegie Hall.
But this episode is about more than just the performance.
It’s about why travel matters.
From gaining independence and experiencing new cultures, to learning how to adapt, problem-solve, and grow outside of the rehearsal space—traveling with a band or orchestra creates lessons that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else.
Recorded live as they walk through 5th Avenue, 6th Avenue, and Times Square, Scott and Chris share real-time reflections on the impact of these experiences—and even a deeply personal moment from Scott that made this trip unforgettable.
Later in the episode, Chris is joined by Basha High School Orchestra Director Jonathan Gott, who shares a story every parent thinks about—but hopes never happens:
What do you do when something goes wrong?
When a sudden flight cancellation leaves his group stranded, Jon walks us through how they navigated the challenge and ultimately got everyone home safely—highlighting three critical travel takeaways: Contacts, Communication, and Contingency.
You’ll also hear about a powerful and personal visit to the 9/11 Memorial Museum, and how moments like that can shape perspective far beyond music.
To close the episode, we bring you something truly special—an audio recording from Carnegie Hall:
“Autumn Elegy” by Robert Sheldon, performed by the Basha Symphony Orchestra, with guest conductor Scott Lang in a full-circle moment years in the making.
Whether you’re a band parent, educator, or student, this episode is a reminder that the journey matters just as much as the performance.
🎧 Travel with us. Learn with us. Experience it with us.

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The Band Dads Get Boosted! Mar 18, 2026

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The Band Dads are on the other side of the mic!

In this special bonus episode, Scott and Chris join Robin Eissler, founder and CEO of Booster Hub, as guests on The Boosted Volunteer Podcast. What starts as an interview quickly turns into a fun, insightful, and wide-ranging conversation about band, community, and what makes great programs thrive.

Scott and Chris share the story behind how the Band Dads Podcast got started, why their dynamic works so well, and why band continues to be such a meaningful and impactful activity for students and families alike. From there, the conversation dives into booster culture, navigating volunteer roles, and how strong parent organizations can make or break a program.

Of course, the Band Dads wouldn’t be themselves if they didn’t flip the script—turning the tables on Robin to ask key questions about how booster clubs can operate more effectively and set themselves up for long-term success.

We had such a great time on this episode and were so impressed with what Booster Hub offers that we’re excited to officially share our new partnership. If you’re involved in a booster club, this is a platform you’ll want to explore.

👉 Learn more and start a free trial at BoosterHub.com

Be sure to also check out The Boosted Volunteer Podcast for more insightful conversations with experts covering everything you need to help your organization succeed.

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Leadership Season Mar 11, 2026

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It’s that time of year again—band directors everywhere are rolling out their processes for selecting student leadership teams for the upcoming fall season. The decisions made during leadership season can shape the culture, tone, and success of a band program long before the first rehearsal of summer band even begins.

In this episode, Scott reflects on a time when he realized he got it wrong. A leadership selection that didn’t produce the results he hoped for forced him to step back, rethink his entire process, and work backwards from the outcome he actually wanted. What kind of leaders did he want his students to become? What culture was he trying to build? And how should the selection process support that vision?

From that reflection came a five-step approach designed to identify the right leaders and develop the characteristics he wanted to see throughout the band. Scott walks through that process and shares the lessons learned along the way.

The Band Dads also offer perspective for parents navigating leadership season with their own students. Is it Drum Major or bust, or should families take a broader view of what leadership in band can look like?

As always, expect thoughtful insight, honest reflection, and plenty of entertaining moments in another great episode of the Band Dads Podcast.

Make sure to also check out musicleadership.com to find Scott Lang's newly launched, fully customizable Leadership Training and Selection System app. The flexibility of this tool makes it perfect for all programs regardless of their desired outcome!

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The Real Band Wives Part 2 Feb 18, 2026

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The conversation continues…

After the cliffhanger ending of Part One, the Band Moms are back with Libby Denny to finish the story—and this second half delivers in all the best ways.

What begins as an honest look at the challenges of being married to a band director turns into something even deeper: a celebration of the love, loyalty, and lifelong bonds that are built inside the band community. From navigating long seasons and shared sacrifices to discovering unexpected moments of joy, Part Two leans into the heart behind the hustle.

You’ll hear lighthearted stories that perfectly capture what makes band life so unique—like students serenading you with bagpipes, and even uncovering a band director’s secret color guard talents. These moments are funny, yes—but they also speak to something bigger: the respect, gratitude, and connection that grow when people invest in one another through this activity.

From start to finish, this episode reminds us that band isn’t just a job, an extracurricular, or even a season—it’s a family. And the relationships formed along the way have a way of leaving a permanent mark.

This is the kind of conversation that enlightens you, hits that nerve of sincerity, and leaves you with all the warm fuzzies about being part of the band world.

Don’t miss the conclusion of The Real Bandwives.

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The Real Band Wives Part 1 Feb 18, 2026

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The Real Bandwives – Part One

What’s it really like to be married to a band director?

In this special two-part episode of the Band Moms Podcast, Shannon, Becky, and Leah welcome guest Libby Denny for an honest, funny, and eye-opening conversation about life as a “Band Wife”—or as some call it, a Band Widow.

Shannon and Becky flip the script and step into the role of interviewers, digging into the realities for Leah and Libby of what it means when your marriage, your schedule, and sometimes your sanity revolve around marching season, concert prep, and late-night rehearsals. What are the hardest parts? What are the unexpected blessings? And yes… are there any juicy stories?

Libby shares her unique perspective—not as a band parent, but as someone whose relationship has been shaped by the activity itself. In fact, she and her husband Miles met in battery, so band has quite literally been part of their story from the very beginning. That lived experience offers insight into how a band wife views the activity differently than a band parent—and what perspectives are most helpful when navigating relationships with your band director.

This enlightening and refreshingly candid conversation turned out to be so good, it had to become two episodes. And just when you think you’ve heard it all, Part One ends with a bit of a cliffhanger…

Don’t wait—jump straight into Part Two to hear how the story continues.

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Band Around the World Feb 04, 2026

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In Band Around the World, the Band Dads take a fun and educational journey to explore what band and music education look like across the globe. This episode was inspired by—and promised to—a listener in Dubai who is very much not a bot. From our neighbors to the north, to the discipline of elementary band programs in Japan, to Europe’s long-standing community brass band traditions, this episode highlights how different cultures approach music education while sharing the same core values.

The conversation also travels to South America, where youth orchestras helped give rise to El Sistema, a movement that has transformed and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of students and continues to influence music education worldwide.

Check the episode notes for links and source material related to many of the topics discussed if you’d like to dig deeper.

This episode is also a celebration of the incredible Band Dads community beyond the United States, with listeners tuning in from 34 countries around the world (Germany, Canada, Australia, UAE, Japan, Singapore, Ireland, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, Netherlands, Sweden, Israel, Spain, France, Hong Kong, Norway, Brazil, Portugal, Mexico, Italy, Morocco, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Iraq, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Turkey, South Africa, Argentina, Philippines, Romania, Indonesia, and Eswatini). If we got anything wrong or you want to tell us more about music in your country, please email us! feedback@banddadspodcast.com

There are far too many cultures and programs to cover in a single episode—so yes, a sequel is already on the table. And one story shared in this conversation may even inspire a future spin-off series… stay tuned.

Links for materials used or mentioned in this episode

Percy Grainger - Lincolnshire Posy

Percy Grainger - Walking Tune

60 Minutes El Sistema

60 Minutes Gustavo Dudamel

60 Minutes The Recyclers

Japan Elementary School Championship 2008 Mama Elementary Performance

German Brass Echo Klassik 2016

"The March King" Sousa Stars and Stripes Forever

SOUSA El Capitan

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Fill the Darn Chair: A Practical Guide to Recruitment & Retention Jan 20, 2026

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It’s that time of year again—students are choosing classes and schedules are being built for next school year. And whether a band program grows, holds steady, or struggles often comes down to what happens right now. This is the most critical window for recruitment and retention, and it’s one that’s frequently underestimated—especially by parents and booster groups who are far more influential than they may realize.

In this Season Three premiere, Scott shares a proven framework for success using the “Fill the Chair” campaign he created for the Be Part of the Music Foundation. This episode breaks recruitment and retention down into clear, actionable steps that any program—large or small—can execute.

With free, ready-to-use resources linked, you’ll learn how to:

Gather your resources and build the right team
Establish a clear and effective communication plan
Remind, re-engage, and reassess throughout the process
Trust—but verify—your numbers and assumptions
Take stock of your efforts and adjust where needed
Recruit what you already have before chasing what’s next

Executed correctly, these steps can help strengthen your roster, stabilize your numbers, and get your program running like a well-oiled machine for years to come.

Listen in to learn how the plan works, download the free resources, and take action—but don’t wait. This season moves fast, and there’s no time to waste.

Because when it comes down to it, everything starts with one goal: fill the darn chair.

Visit "Let's Fill the Chair" by clicking here for all the resources your need!

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The Band Dads: Greatest Hits (Vol. 1) Jan 08, 2026

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After a full year of conversations, laughs, debates, and unexpected moments, it was time to hit rewind.

In this special “Greatest Hits” episode, the Band Dads look back on some of the most memorable moments from the first year of the podcast. Featuring favorite clips hand-selected by Scott and Chris, joined by picks from the Band Moms and listeners from across the band community, this episode is a celebration of what made Year One so special.

From insightful takes on band culture and competition, to moments that made us laugh, reflect, and occasionally rethink everything we thought we knew—this collection captures the heart of the Band Dads Podcast.

Whether you’ve been listening since episode one or you’re brand new and looking for the perfect place to start, this episode is your greatest-hits tour through the conversations that shaped the show and the community around it.

Thank you to every listener, contributor, and band family member who made this first year possible. If this is Volume 1… you already know more is coming.

🎧 Press play, turn it up, and enjoy The Band Dads: Greatest Hits (Vol. 1).

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A Band Dad Christmas Special Dec 24, 2025

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year… unless you’re on the naughty list.

In this special holiday-themed episode, the Band Dads get into the spirit of the season by sorting out who belongs on the naughty list and who earns a spot on the nice list. Where do band directors and band parents land—and is there a little overlap between the two?

Scott and Chris also share their favorite (and most least favorite) Christmas songs, because nothing sparks strong opinions quite like holiday music. Along the way, Chris recounts his unexpected and abrupt introduction to conducting a band at a recent holiday concert—a moment that didn’t quite go as planned but made for a great story.

The episode wraps with the Band Dads reflecting on the season and sharing their wishes for the band family this holiday season. It’s lighthearted, relatable, and the perfect way to close out the year with a little humor and a lot of heart.

Grab some hot cocoa, settle in, and enjoy this festive edition of the Band Dads Podcast

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The Highest Bidder Dec 18, 2025

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What if band directors were treated like elite, in-demand coaches?

In this thought-provoking episode, the Band Dads explore a bold idea using a comparison from the sports world. Lane Kiffin is a high-profile college football coach known for being constantly pursued by programs, frequently changing jobs, and commanding attention and salary offers based on perceived value and potential—sometimes even more than past results alone.

So what if band directors were viewed the same way?

Unlike most classroom positions with guaranteed enrollment, band directors must recruit, retain, train, and compete. Their results are public, their programs help generate revenue, and their presence (or departure) can reshape a school’s culture for years. Yet when it comes to compensation, they’re typically treated no differently than positions that don’t require any of those additional demands.

Scott makes the case that band directors shouldn’t be viewed like traditional classroom teachers—and that it may only take one forward-thinking school (possibly even a charter school) to recognize their true value with a competitive, negotiated offer. If that domino falls, could band director compensation and mobility change nationwide?

Of course, opening that door raises difficult questions. What happens to programs that can’t afford to compete? Do lower-income schools fall even further behind? And what unintended consequences might follow?

The conversation then expands into an even bigger “what if”: could something like NIL exist for high school band? Incentives such as lessons, instruments, tailored schedules, scholarships—or even direct compensation. Would that elevate programs… or undermine the spirit of the activity?

This episode isn’t about answers—it’s about challenging assumptions. Join the Band Dads for a candid, insightful discussion on value, equity, and what happens when we open the activity to the highest bidder.

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