Band Director Boot Camp

By: Lesley Moffat
  • Summary

  • Welcome to the Band Director Boot Camp podcast, where productivity meets wellness for busy band directors. This is your dedicated space to find balance, inspiration, and practical strategies to elevate your music program without sacrificing your well-being.

    As a band director, you know the intensity of juggling rehearsals, performances, and administrative duties. It’s easy to feel like you’re stuck on repeat, endlessly working through the same routines. But just like mastering a challenging piece, there’s a way to approach your daily demands with precision and ease, making it possible to achieve excellence without working around the clock.

    Over the past two seasons, we've connected with band directors just like you, who’ve shared their unique strategies for staying productive and maintaining their health. Each episode offers insights and actionable tips that help you find your rhythm, ensuring your program thrives without burning you out.

    In every conversation, we break down the barriers that make this profession so demanding and build a supportive community where we can get real about the challenges we face. Together, we celebrate the victories, learn from the setbacks, and inspire each other to create sustainable, fulfilling careers.

    Consider this podcast your go-to resource for making real, impactful changes—because the work you do matters, and so does your health. Join us, band director, and let’s make music that resonates with productivity and wellness.

    Tune in to the Band Director Boot Camp podcast – where you’re not just tuning in, you’re part of a community dedicated to making every day on the podium a little bit easier and a lot more rewarding.

    The mPowered Educator, LLC, 2023
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Episodes
  • "Advocacy, Mentoring, and Lifelong Learning with Lynn Brinckmeyer"
    Oct 23 2024

    In this insightful episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat welcomes Lynn Brinckmeyer—a music educator, advocate, and life coach with an impressive career spanning state and national leadership. Lynn shares her journey from being a clarinet player to becoming a national advocate for music education, along with valuable strategies from her books like Wander the World with Warm-Ups and Advocate for Music.

    This conversation covers how advocacy starts in the classroom and the power of making students, parents, and administrators your biggest supporters. Lesley and Lynn also explore practical ways to increase student recruitment and retention while sharing a few fun anecdotes (yes, snacks are a recruitment tool!). Lynn’s passion for music education and mentoring continues as she discusses her transition into life coaching and leadership development.

    Key Topics Covered:

    • Lynn’s music advocacy journey, including testifying on Capitol Hill
    • Practical strategies to engage students, parents, and administrators in music advocacy
    • The importance of visibility and recruiting through positive experiences
    • Creative ways to retain students by making them active advocates for your program
    • How snacks and fun events like “Band Buddies” can build community in your program
    • Lynn's transition into life coaching and mentoring music educators

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Advocate for Music: 90 Strategies to Support Music Programs
    • Links to state and national music education sites for advocacy materials
    • Information about the Empowered Music Educator Academy

    Don't miss this engaging episode packed with practical advice and fun moments!

    Brinckmeyer Enterprises Website

    https://brinckmeyer-enterprises.com/

    Music Advocacy:

    NAfME Advocacy Resources

    https://nafme.org/advocacy/

    NAMM SupportMusic Coalition

    https://www.nammfoundation.org/what-we-do/support-music-coalition

    Advocate for Music

    https://global.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780190219154/

    Books to help Band Directors who teach choir and/or general music:

    Wander the World with Warm Ups

    https://www.halleonard.com/product-family/PC23777/wander-the-world-with-warm-ups

    Wander the USA with Warm Ups

    https://www.halleonard.com/product-family/PC21955/wander-the-usa-with-warm-ups

    Rhythm Rescue

    https://www.halleonard.com/product/35031313/rhythm-rescue

    The Wonder of Music

    https://www.halleonard.com/product-family/PC23218/the-wonder-of-music

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    22 mins
  • "Balancing Band Directing and Life: Wellness Tips from Dr. Tim Sexton"
    Oct 16 2024

    In this enlightening episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat is joined by Dr. Tim Sexton, brass instructor with the Blue Coats and Associate Director of Bands at Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the Arts. Fresh from his recent marriage, Dr. Sexton shares invaluable insights on managing a busy summer schedule, the importance of downtime, and strategies for maintaining balance between professional commitments and personal life. This conversation is packed with practical tips for band directors at all stages of their careers, focusing on the necessity of prioritizing personal well-being alongside professional responsibilities.

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    20 mins
  • "Empowering Music Educators with Ronald Kearns"
    Oct 9 2024

    In this compelling episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes Ronald Kearns, a seasoned music educator and author of influential books aimed at enhancing the capabilities of music teachers. Ronald shares invaluable insights from his extensive career and his series of books, which serve as essential resources for music educators navigating the multifaceted challenges of teaching band, orchestra, and jazz.

    Key Points Covered:

    • Ronald Kearns' journey from a drum major to a revered music educator and author.
    • Discussion on the spectrum of responsibilities that music educators face, which go beyond musical instruction to include management, counseling, and administrative roles.
    • Insight into Ronald’s books, which are designed to provide quick references for band directors tasked with managing multiple music disciplines, including practical tips for effective music program management.

    Benefits for Listeners:

    • Learn strategies for managing diverse music programs effectively, including orchestral and jazz ensembles.
    • Discover practical tips on budget management, resource allocation, and enhancing student engagement through tailored lesson plans.
    • Gain insights into bridging the gap between different music teaching disciplines by applying known skills to new challenges.

    Ron’s latest book, Quick Reference Guide for Band Directors Who Teach Jazz, comes out October 16, 2024!

    Check out his other books here

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    20 mins

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