

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

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!

Dec 28, 2025 • 41min
332 The Origin of the Young Band Composers - Quincy Hilliard with Andrew Balent
Support the Show HereQuincy Hilliard hosts a conversation with the legendary young band writer Andrew Balent to learn more about the history of the composers who started writing for young band.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!

Dec 27, 2025 • 58min
(105) Craft Your Rehearsals for Student Success Throwback with Laura Estes
Laura Estes, a 36-year band teaching veteran turned composer, shares her approach to crafting rehearsals for student success. She talks about diagnosing musical problems early, selecting student-centered literature, engaging percussion, and adapting repertoire year-to-year. Laura also discusses her transition to composing and the ideas behind two playful works inspired by New Zealand and Dutch holiday traditions.

Dec 22, 2025 • 39min
302 Sight Reading Success at Assessment with Christy Stump
Christy Stump is the band director at Gulf Breeze Middle School in Gulf Breeze, Florida. She joins the show to give ways in ensure your students are successful in their sight reading process at assessment festival.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!

Dec 20, 2025 • 38min
(162) Beginning Band Adaptable Series Throwback with Mary Cogswell and Ron Stary
Learn from experienced beginning band educator Mary Cogswell, as she teams up with Ron Stary to discuss many aspects of teaching beginning band, including some new repertoire recently put out through Murphy Press for your beginners!
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!

Dec 20, 2025 • 1h 28min
311 - Midwest Clinic Day Three - Colonel John Bourgeois
Guests include Colonel John Bourgeois, Doug Beach, Paul Baker, Tim Hendrix, Dennis Llinas, Tyler Reese, Christina Huss and Michael Sweeney 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 19, 2025 • 1h 36min
310 Midwest Clinic Day 2 - 2025
In person interviews on Day 2 of The Midwest Clinic 2025 includeLHeath Wolf, Terry White, Jeff Jarvis, Mike Perez, Stephen Sholey, Mark Casperson, Brian Rhodes, Travis Weller, and Jerry Tolson.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!

Dec 18, 2025 • 1h 35min
Midwest 2025 Day 1
Great guests include:Kameron Durr, Jackson Smith, Aaron Noe, Heather Hastings, John McAllister andDan AustinTo 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 15, 2025 • 54min
Ep 301 Successful Beginner Practices with Mike Perez
Mike Perez, a Fort Collins middle school band director who specializes in beginning band pedagogy, shares practical classroom systems and fun engagement ideas. He covers instrument placement routines, small-room adjustments, using mirrors to fix embouchure, starting percussion on mallets, pacing the first weeks, and creative motivators like Band Wars and a summer carnival.

Dec 13, 2025 • 28min
(166) Arranging with a Full Band Throwback with Jake Sturtevant
Learn about this great process to arrange a piece of music with your full band class! Jake Sturtevant has been doing this project with this ensembles for over a decade and knows how invested students get in the process, the outcome, and how much ownership they take over it!
Project Overview Paperwork
Jake's Website
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!


