Mo’ Better Bands - a Podcast for Instrumental Music Educators

This conversation explores the innovative approach to teaching high school students about band instrument repair, initiated by Aaron Moss in response to the retirement of a local music store. The discussion covers the development of a curriculum, student engagement, funding through CTE programs, and the importance of balancing educational initiatives with professional repair services. Moss emphasizes the need for in-house repair solutions in schools, the high interest from students, and the potential career paths available in the repair industry. RESOURCES Link to poster for your classroom Consider A Career in Instrument Repair Blog Post Link to NAfME Article reprinted in the July August TechniCom Link to Aaron's Slide Deck Takeaways The initiative to teach band instrument repair arose from a local music store's retirement. Career Technical Education (CTE) funding was crucial for establishing the program. Student interest in repair classes was consistently high, leading to full enrollment. Classes were structured with prerequisites to ensure students had a foundational understanding of instruments. The program included hands-on experience with real instruments, enhancing learning. Funding for the program grew from an initial budget of $27,000 to over $100,000. The curriculum was developed by paralleling existing classes, such as bicycle repair. Moss aims to advocate for the repair industry and create pathways for students into apprenticeships. Balancing educational repair initiatives with professional repair services is essential. The future of band instrument repair education looks promising with ongoing discussions and collaborations.

Kirsten Smallwood - Chapman USD 473 [email protected] Erin Lloyd - Riley County USD 378 [email protected]

Want more effective rehearsals? Do you need to get more done in the time you have? Want students to leave rehearsal with a positive vibe? My friend, John Selzer, will share some of the tips he learned over his hall of fame education career, and also from his time as a road rep for our company. Article is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FcKaFCqhh7ANbyh5AnmmfHo1rv0vKPVz/view?usp=sharing

Are you part of a team? Responsible for a team?  Have you ever seen a good team in action?  How about a bad one? In this episode, Scott & Trey share how they onboard new staff to make them feel like part of the team.

Want to know about joining or starting a community band? How about one that encourages your students, parents, and faculty to participate? Then listen up and hear how my three guests did just that! Also check out https://www.acbands.org to the Association of Concert Bands directory.

Want to learn how to be more intentional in creating and building student leaders in your ensemble? Grab a notepad and let's get to it! Also available on Youtube Sponsored by Ernie Williamson Music

What's it like to march in the 5 1/2 mile long Rose Bowl parade with 300 other top notch music educators? Guests include: Angelete Frein - Wentzville School District Tyler Jones - Seneca School District TJ Higgins - Helias Catholic High School Tom Higgins - Linn High School (retired) More information for Saluting America's Band Directors can be found at https://banddirectorsalute.org

This is probably the toughest it's ever been to be a teacher. In this episode, we talk about why it's so tough, and then tell you how you can make it better. Don't despair! :) Also available on Youtube. Sponsored by Ernie Williamson Music

Do you want to grow your band program? Do you want to reach students later in the academic career? Maybe you could use a bigger marching percussion section? Or guard?  Grab a pen and notepad, because Tom and Tessa are going to give you some BRILLIANT insights on how to do all of this and more! Brought to you by Ernie Williamson Music.

What a perfect topic as we turn our thoughts to a new semester and a new calendar year - doing more in less time! Rob Babel has been Band Director at Ft. Zumwalt North High School for 26 years. He leads the Panther Pride Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band and Jazz Lab Band.  In addition, he assists with beginning and intermediate band at North Middle School.  Under his direction, the Ft. Zumwalt North Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band have consistently received the highest ‘Exemplary’ ratings at MSHSAA State Contest. The Panther Pride Marching Band has been a Bands of America St. Louis Super Regional Class AA Champion and Finalist and a 6-time BOA Regional Finalist. The North High Jazz Band has been featured four times at the Missouri Music Educators Conference and twice at the national conference for the Jazz Education Network. In addition, the FZN Jazz Band has presented concerts at the international band conference The Midwest Clinic, and is the only high school group in Missouri’s history to have performed three times at that event. Mr. Babel has been recognized as the 2016 Missouri Music Educator of the Year and he received the Missouri Association for Jazz Education “Outstanding Jazz Educator” Award in 2019. He is also a recipient of the Charles Emmons Outstanding Band Director Award for the band director fraternity Phi Beta Mu, which has been awarded to only 30 Missouri directors. He has also been named the Ft. Zumwalt North Teacher of the Year, the St. Louis Metro District Eight Music Educator of the Year, and an O’Fallon Citizen of Achievement.  He also served as the assistant varsity baseball coach at FZN from 2001-2012.