

The Growing Band Director
Kyle Smith
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the top of growingband.com
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreaon - using the button at the top of growingband.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 8, 2025 • 1h 10min
(42) Creating a Culture of Excellence and a Strong Jazz Program with John Mastroianni
A chance to learn from a historically great teacher! In this episode we hang with a world class band director - John Mastroianni! We learn how to create a culture of excellence in a band program, as well as how to build a strong jazz program, even as a "non-jazz" teacher.
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

Feb 6, 2025 • 59min
233 Bassoon! It's Not That Scary...... with Hunter Holoubek
Bassoon can be an instrument that is scary for band directors to teach because it can appear overwhelming. Hunter Holoubek is a band director and bassoon player who is here to give you what you need to know, and help everything make sense!
Full Presentation
Correct Bassoon Fingering Chart
Bassoon Flick Keys Tutorial
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

Feb 3, 2025 • 32min
232 Doug Beach on The Power of Articulation and Networking with Mike Richardson
While at the Midwest Band Clinic we sat down for spontaneous conversations with music educators in person at the Exceclia Music Booth. In this episode we connect composer/educator Doug Beach and band director Mike Richardson from Indianola High School (Iowa).
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

Feb 1, 2025 • 1h 9min
(38) The Boysens Throwback Chat
From Episode 38
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

19 snips
Jan 30, 2025 • 24min
231 Connecting with Cathy Benford, Round Rock TX
Cathy Benford, a renowned band director from Round Rock High School in Texas, discusses the intricacies of managing a large band program with around 4,000 students. She shares strategies for encouraging student participation while upholding performance standards. The conversation delves into the importance of foundational skills and structured approaches for all skill levels. Cathy highlights her collaboration with composer Yuriko Nishimura and emphasizes fostering a love for music, mentorship, and the transformative impact of music education.

Jan 27, 2025 • 31min
230 YOUR Impact as a Band Director with Laura Estes and Matthew Rodnick
While at the Midwest Band Clinic we sat down for spontaneous conversations with music educators in person at the Exceclia Music Booth. In this episode we connect with composer/educator Laura Estes (Ep 105 Craft Your Rehearsals for Success) and educator Matthew Rodnick (Georgian Bay District Secondary School in Midland, Ontario).
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

Jan 25, 2025 • 26min
(33) Jazz Articulation Throwback with Nick Mainella
Kyle had the distinct PLEASURE of sitting down with Nick Mainella from the @10minutejazzlesson79 Podcast and had a discussion about what makes great band directors, an approach to soloing over the blues that ISN'T the blues scale, getting students to feel comfortable improvising, the importance of listening to music with your students and much, much more.
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

Jan 23, 2025 • 31min
229 Jazz Education with Peter Blair and Kris Berg
While at the Midwest Band Clinic we sat down for spontaneous conversations with music educators in person at the Exceclia Music Booth. In this episode we connect with Jazz Writers Peter Blair and Kris Berg (Ep 115 Hangin' with My Peeps)
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

Jan 20, 2025 • 39min
228 Helping Students Succeed with William Owens, Mary Cogswell and Travis Weller
While at the Midwest Band Clinic we sat down for spontaneous conversations with music educators in person at the Exceclia Music Booth. In this episode we connect with composer educator William Owens, Mary Cogswell (Ep 162 Beginner Adaptable Series) and composer educator Travis Weller (Ep 199).
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!

Jan 18, 2025 • 50min
(5) Band Boosters 101 Throwback with Karen and Matt Stacki
In this episode Kyle and Jeff have a conversation with Matt and Karen Stacki about the role of a Music Booster program - Do's and Don'ts- how to start-revitalize or maintain a booster program. Never forget-keep trying to make it better and improve!
To gain access to all show notes and audio files please Subscribe to the podcast and consider supporting the show on Patreon - using the button at the top of thegrowingbanddirector.com
Our mission is to share practical advice and explore topics that will help every band director, no matter your experience level, as well as music education students who are working to join us in the coming years.
Connect with us with comments or ideas
Follow the show:
Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.com
On Youtube The Growing Band Director
Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast Group
Instagram @thegrowingbanddirector
Tik Tok @thegrowingbanddirector
If you like what you hear please:
Leave a Five Star Review and
Share us with another band director!


