

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

Jan 22, 2026 • 21min
315 Chrstina Huss and Tyler Reese
Kyle sits down at the Excelcia Music Publishing booth at Midwest 2025 with composer Christina Huss and band director Tyler Reese (NC).Support the Show HereTo 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.comOur 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 ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!

Jan 19, 2026 • 44min
307 Teaching the Rhythm Section - Jazz Education Series with Milas Yoes
Jazz Pedagogy and Repertoire PlaylistDiving Into Jazz With Confidence and Joy - Milas YoesMilas Yoes joins the show in this four part series on Jazz Education-Teaching ImprovTeaching Swing FeelTeaching the Rhythm SectionMusic SelectionTo 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.comOur 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 ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!

Jan 17, 2026 • 1h 2min
179 Weapons of Brass Destruction with Aaron Rex and Johnnie Green
Learn keys to starting and improving your brass players!Aaron Rex and Johnnie Green are part of the team for Mason Schools in Mason, OH (one of the most outstanding school programs in the country.). Their approach works - and they are presenting this topic at Midwest 2024!Weapons of Brass Destruction The Comfy Strap for Horn and Euphonium Support the Show HereTo 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.comOur 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 ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!

Jan 15, 2026 • 22min
314 Warming Up the Young Band with John McAllister
Kyle and Krystle sit down at the Excelcia Music Publishing booth at Midwest 2025 with John McAllister to discuss warm ups for the young band and so much more!Support the Show HereTo 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.comOur 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 ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!

Jan 12, 2026 • 46min
306 Teaching Swing Style- Jazz Education Series with Milas Yoes
Jazz Pedagogy and Repertoire PlaylistDiving Into Jazz With Confidence and Joy - Milas YoesMilas Yoes joins the show in this four part series on Jazz Education-Teaching ImprovTeaching Swing FeelTeaching the Rhythm SectionMusic SelectionTo 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.comOur 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 ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!

Jan 10, 2026 • 30min
176 Making Joy Your Tonal Center with Matthew Arau
Matthew Arau, author and leadership educator who champions joyful, mindful music-making. He outlines six keys to center joy in classrooms. Short segments cover gratitude, contribution, purpose, care, communication, and community. Practical tactics and quick teacher self-care tips pepper the conversation.

Jan 8, 2026 • 19min
313 Mike Perez and Kameron Durr
Krystle sits down at the Excelcia Music Publishing booth at Midwest 2025 with Mike Perez (Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School - Colorado) and Kameron Durr (MS) to discuss young band techniques and building in a small program.Support the Show HereTo 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.comOur 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 ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!

Jan 5, 2026 • 38min
305 Teaching Improv - Jazz Education Series with Milas Yoes
Jazz Pedagogy and Repertoire PlaylistDiving Into Jazz With Confidence and Joy - Milas YoesMilas Yoes joins the show in this four part series on Jazz Education-Teaching ImprovTeaching Swing FeelTeaching the Rhythm SectionMusic SelectionTo 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.comOur 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 ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!

Jan 3, 2026 • 46min
161 Of Endless Miles and Empty Rafts Rehearsal Strategies with Michele Fernandez
Of Endless Miles of Empty Rafts is the 2024 CBDNA Young Band Composition Winner, and gives your band a chance to perform authentic afro-latin music with your Concert Band! In this session composer Michele Fernandez and Kyle Smith of the Growing Band Director Podcast get together to explain the history behind the piece, the format of how it is constructed, and key components to preparing it in an authentic way!Support the Show HereTo 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.comOur 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 ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!

Dec 29, 2025 • 1h 15min
304 Composer Spotlight Andrew Boysen Jr
Kyle sits down with Andrew Boysen Jr to discuss:-Conducting advice for band directors -Effective techniques in organizing and managing an honor band-Advice to be sure the students are successful when you are asked to conduct an honor band-We listened to so many of his great pieces as well! 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.comOur 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 ideasFollow the show:Podcast website : Thegrowingbanddirector.comOn Youtube The Growing Band Director Facebook-The Growing Band Director Podcast GroupInstagram @thegrowingbanddirectorTik Tok @thegrowingbanddirectorIf you like what you hear please:Leave a Five Star Review and Share us with another band director!


