Band Director Boot Camp

Lesley Moffat
Band Director Boot Camp

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.

  1. "Revolutionizing Band Directing with ChatGPT: Productivity & Creativity Unleashed"

    1 DAY AGO

    "Revolutionizing Band Directing with ChatGPT: Productivity & Creativity Unleashed"

    In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat sits down with middle school band director and tech enthusiast Keith Ozsvath to explore the transformative power of ChatGPT for busy music educators. Keith shares how he uses ChatGPT to streamline his professional life, from creating rubrics and program notes to designing innovative classroom tools. They discuss real-world applications of AI to save time, reduce stress, and enhance teaching, all while maintaining high standards of instruction. Lesley and Keith dive into practical tips, share success stories, and outline how AI can be like having a "band mom in your pocket." Whether you're curious about how ChatGPT can assist with parent communication, help plan meals after a long day, or even generate creative student activities, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help band directors focus more on what they love—teaching music. What You’ll Learn: How ChatGPT can save time by assisting with emails, rubrics, and lesson planning.Ways to personalize ChatGPT for your specific teaching needs.Innovative uses of ChatGPT, like creating practice logs, program notes, and more.How ChatGPT’s collaborative approach can spark creativity and reduce mental load.Practical prompts and tips to get started with ChatGPT today.Links Mentioned in the Episode: Keith Ozsvath’s website with resources for music educators Lesley’s free video tutorial: ChatGPT for Busy Band Directors on Chat GPT For Busy Band Directors: Introduction.The Band Director Buddy GPT – a specialized assistant pre-loaded with band-specific resources.

    25 min
  2. "Transforming Scars into Stars: Trauma, Healing, and Resilience in Education with Joey Weisler"

    NOV 6

    "Transforming Scars into Stars: Trauma, Healing, and Resilience in Education with Joey Weisler"

    In this powerful episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat is joined by Joey Weisler, educator, trauma-based scholar, and host of Classroom Narratives, Healing in Education. Joey brings his unique perspective on managing trauma and burnout, drawn from his own experiences with the tragic events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and his journey through personal and professional healing. Lesley and Joey delve into the importance of creating safe spaces for students and educators to process trauma. They explore how music, narrative, and mindfulness can be powerful tools for recovery and resilience, sharing practical techniques like Joey's “5 Finger Meditation” and Lesley’s daily 528 Hertz breathing practice in the band room. Joey discusses his podcast’s mission to build a supportive community where educators can share stories, find healing, and prevent burnout. This episode is a heartfelt reminder of the impact that trauma-informed practices can have in the classroom—and how vital it is for educators to support each other in these challenging times. Key Topics Covered: Lesley’s personal story of a traumatic classroom incidentJoey’s experience with trauma from Parkland and burnout as a new teacherThe healing power of music, narrative, and mindful practices in educationTechniques like “5 Finger Meditation” and using music frequencies for calming classroomsThe mission of Classroom Narratives, Healing in Education podcastJoey Weisler is an educator and podcast host known for his work focusing on trauma-informed education. As the creator and host of the podcast Classroom Narratives: Healing in Education, Weisler explores how teachers can support their own and their students' mental well-being through stories, empathy, and resilience. His approach is informed by his experiences dealing with educational challenges, teacher burnout, and the importance of using vulnerability and narrative to foster a supportive classroom environment. Weisler is also involved in initiatives addressing school trauma and has previously contributed writing related to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School community, where he has been a part of its support and remembrance efforts following the 2018 tragedy. Links: https://rss.com/podcasts/teachertestimony/ IG: @classroomnarrativespodcast, @throneintheclassroom

    29 min
  3. "Advocacy, Mentoring, and Lifelong Learning with Lynn Brinckmeyer"

    OCT 23

    "Advocacy, Mentoring, and Lifelong Learning with Lynn Brinckmeyer"

    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 HillPractical strategies to engage students, parents, and administrators in music advocacyThe importance of visibility and recruiting through positive experiencesCreative ways to retain students by making them active advocates for your programHow snacks and fun events like “Band Buddies” can build community in your programLynn's transition into life coaching and mentoring music educatorsResources Mentioned: Advocate for Music: 90 Strategies to Support Music ProgramsLinks to state and national music education sites for advocacy materialsInformation about the Empowered Music Educator AcademyDon'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

    22 min
  4. "Orchestrating Success: Commissioning New Music for Your Band"

    OCT 2

    "Orchestrating Success: Commissioning New Music for Your Band"

    In this enlightening episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes Del Hubers, a veteran band director with over 40 years of experience, to demystify the process of commissioning new music. Del shares his extensive experience in enriching student engagement and enhancing music programs through commissioned works, highlighting the transformative impact on both students and the school community. Key Points Covered: Introduction to the benefits and process of commissioning music for school bands.Del Hubers shares insights on starting with commissioning, including practical tips for engaging composers and managing budgets.Discussion on how commissioned works can significantly boost student interest and retention in music programs.Benefits for Listeners: Learn how to initiate the commissioning process for creating unique music pieces tailored to your band’s skill level and community.Discover strategies for collaborating effectively with composers and integrating new compositions into your music curriculum.Gain inspiration to enhance your music program’s appeal and educational value through commissioned works.Here are some of the works Del has commissioned that are available to purchase for your ensemble! Kevin Hoff - 'Fractured'Ryan Meeboer - 'Barricade'Alexander Carlin - 'Journey Through the Galaxy'Carol Brittin Chambers - 'Antz'Joel R. Knecht - 'Black Hills Gold Rush'Ward Miller - 'Ring True!'John-Alex Warner (Scratch Eden) - 'Krakken!'Ernesto Aguirre - 'Dragon Rider'Kevin Clary - 'Fox Sparrow March'

    20 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

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.

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