Mike Collins Dowden is a beginning band teacher as well as published composer of jazz and concert music. Hear his story on how he started writing for his students, and the encouragement for teachers to do the same. Hear practical ways and reasons to arrange music for your students.

We also listen to five of his pieces for jazz and concert band with score and sound!

The Overlooked Rewards of Composing for Student Ensembles

Band Rocks! Band Method by Michael Collins Dowden

(Print Copies)

Band Rocks! Band Method By Michael Collins Dowden

(Direct Download)

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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.

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Whatever your teaching situation, exposing your students to time signatures other than 4/4 is essential. In this episode we explore five 6/8, cut time and multi-meter pieces that do just that, in a fun and audience-friendly way that your students will love!

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:

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Chris Sharp is a composer and arranger out of Virginia and has works for concert and jazz band published with many companies. He also has his own company, Csharpmusic.net and he joins the show with advice for band directors and to discuss 5 of his works for Grades 2-4.

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:

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Don Zentz has been teaching for 40 years and is taking Douglas Anderson School for the Arts to Midwest in 2024. He also serves on the Midwest Clinic Board, so he is the perfect guest to have on leading up to Midwest 2024!

Check out zentz.org - where you will find his full repertoire list, and many other resources for teachers, including presentations he has done at midwest and other conferences over the years.

Don's Grade 1-2 Big Band Charts Quick Links

On A Misty Night - Terry White

Fat Cat - Doug Beach

Big Band Theory - Vince Gassi

Soft and Easy - Terry White Jive Samba - Terry White

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

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Ryan Johnstone is the Band Director at Rouse High School in Leeander ISD, TX and he joins the show to discuss the upcoming performance at Midwest with his students. He gives insight to the selection process, the requirements of a progam that might participate in Midwest, as well as the program his students will be performing on Thursday, Dec 19 at 3pm.

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

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A re-release from a 2023 episode - we share charts that you can use during the holiday season - now or in the future to help your group swing!

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

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If you like what you hear please:

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Nick Pierce joins the show as we discuss some of the history of Japanese wind band music, as well and aspects of the Japanese culture that helps them excel. We also listen to five pieces from the Japanese wind band canon you could do with your school band! Grades 1-5

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

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Ever wonder what traits would make a great bass player for your band? Ever wonder what tools would help YOU teach your bass player at a higher level, even if they are a total beginner? In this episode Nick Pierce give valuable advice on what to look for in a bass player, methods to help them develop, brands of basses and amps for every program, and much more!

Full Bass-ics From the Self-Taught Bassist Presentation

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

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If you like what you hear please:

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