Copper State Marching Podcast

Martin Hebda, host - Aaron Vogel, Matt Kozacek, Dan Hoffman, co-hosts
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to the Copper State Marching Podcast! Join us as we dive deep into the vibrant world of marching bands across Arizona and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned musician, a proud parent, or simply a fan of the art form, our podcast is your go-to source for all things marching! Each episode features engaging interviews with talented band directors, passionate students, and industry experts who share their insights, experiences, and tips for success. We’ll explore the latest trends, discuss the challenges faced by marching bands, and celebrate the incredible talent found in our Copper State. From competition highlights to behind-the-scenes stories, we aim to inspire and connect the marching band community. So grab your instruments, tune in, and let’s march together into the exciting world of music and performance! This podcast would not be possible without the cooperation of the Arizona Marching Band Association. Thank you AzMBA Board and partnerships!

  1. 4d ago

    Welcome to the New School Year!

    A new school year is here, and it's time to kick things off! In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda and Matt Kozacek welcome band directors and instructional staff back for another exciting season. The conversation reflects on lessons learned from summer band camps, sharing favorite team-building activities, traditions, and ideas that made this year's camps especially successful. Martin and Matt also discuss how they approach the first week of school—building relationships, welcoming new students, creating a positive classroom culture, organizing the logistics of a busy program, and helping students transition into a successful year. Message the Copper State Marching Podcast at podcast@azmba.org

  2. Jul 21

    Teaching Movement to Musicians 101

    Not every marching band has a dedicated visual instructor, but every ensemble can develop confident, expressive performers. In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda and Dan Hoffman are joined by visual educators Sierra Rogers and Tess Evans to discuss practical strategies for teaching movement when visual instruction falls on the band director or a small staff. The conversation covers building confidence in young performers, developing effective visual warm-ups and "press plays," teaching fundamental movement vocabulary, improving timing and coordination, cleaning choreography, and creating a positive learning environment where students are willing to take risks. Whether you're a band director, visual instructor, or educator looking to strengthen your visual program, this episode is filled with practical ideas you can implement immediately. Tune in for an insightful discussion on making movement approachable, musical, and meaningful for every marching band. Resources mentioned: - Ballet Beautiful - glossary series on youtube - Google search - Laban effort qualities Message the Copper State Marching Podcast at podcast@azmba.org

  3. Jul 15

    Maximizing Impact with Minimal Funds

    Creating an engaging marching band production doesn't have to require an unlimited budget. In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda and Aaron Vogel are joined by Julie Trent, Josh White, and Ricardo Labourin to share practical strategies for designing high-quality marching shows while making every dollar count. The conversation explores affordable approaches to show design, music selection, drill, costumes, props, staffing, and fundraising. The panel also discusses how to build strong relationships with administrators, advocate for program support, leverage community resources, and find creative solutions that put students first. Whether you're leading a small program with limited resources or simply looking for smarter ways to stretch your budget, this episode is packed with real-world ideas and proven strategies from experienced Arizona band directors.

  4. Jul 7

    Band Camp

    What Does Band Camp Look Like? Band camp is one of the most important weeks of the marching season. In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda, Matt Kozacek, and Aaron Vogel share their philosophies, schedules, traditions, and best practices for creating a successful band camp experience. The discussion covers everything from building culture and teaching fundamentals to leadership development, rookie camps, drill instruction, conditioning, team-building games, and student wellness. The hosts also compare different scheduling models, discuss the importance of adapting programs over time, and share ideas from directors around Arizona, including creative traditions and memorable camp activities. Whether you're a first-year director planning your first camp or a veteran looking for fresh ideas, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help your students build skills, strengthen relationships, and start the marching season with confidence.

  5. Jun 30

    Ultimate Drill Book

    The Copper State Marching Podcast is back for Season 5! Hosts Martin Hebda and Matt Kozacek sit down with Luke Gall, co-founder of Ultimate Drill Book (UDB), to explore how technology is transforming the marching arts. From its humble beginnings as a solution for organizing drill books to becoming an essential tool used by marching bands and drum corps around the world, UDB has changed the way students learn drill, directors run rehearsals, and staffs communicate. Luke shares the story behind UDB’s creation, how his own experiences in marching band and drum corps inspired its development, and why making the learning process easier ultimately helps more students stay involved in music. The conversation also dives into ARC, the new ecosystem connecting UDB with powerful tools like GEO for attendance and scheduling, Beam for digital sheet music, and StrideTV for arts-focused educational and streaming content. Learn how these platforms work together to streamline communication, improve rehearsal efficiency, and give educators more time to focus on teaching. Whether you're a director considering UDB for the first time, a veteran user looking to maximize its features, or simply interested in the future of music education technology, this episode is packed with practical insights, rehearsal strategies, and exciting previews of what’s coming next.

  6. Jun 10

    Season 4 Wrap-up

    Join hosts Martin Hebda, Aaron Vogel, Matt Kozacek, and Dan Hoffman as they look back on Season 4 of the Copper State Marching Podcast. The team reflects on memorable conversations, key takeaways, and the growth of the podcast over the past season. They also share a preview of discussion topics planned for Season 5 and discuss Elevate, including its impact and future opportunities for the marching arts community. Whether you've been listening since the beginning or are just discovering the podcast, this episode offers an inside look at where the show has been and where it's headed next.

  7. Jun 2

    Electronics and Sound Design Part 2, The Next Step

    In Part 2 of our Electronics & Sound Design series, the Copper State Marching Podcast dives deeper into the world of marching arts audio production with guests Zach Whittier and Claire Thorpe-Coody, two of Arizona’s leading voices in sound design and front ensemble electronics. From microphone placement and front ensemble amplification to narration production, synth programming, MainStage troubleshooting, and wireless microphone setups, this episode is packed with practical advice for students, educators, and designers alike. The conversation explores how both guests learned electronics “by necessity,” proving that anyone with curiosity and a willingness to experiment can grow into a successful sound designer. Listeners will hear detailed discussions on mic placement for marimbas and vibraphones, how to reduce frame noise using simple suspension systems, and why mallet bags are more important than most people realize. Zach and Claire also break down the process of creating narration tracks and sound effects for marching band shows, including sourcing sounds from sites like freesound.org, recording custom Foley-style effects, and editing audio in Logic Pro, GarageBand, and Audacity. The episode also covers synth programming, risers, bass drops, sample playback, and the pros and cons of software like MainStage versus Ableton. Additionally, the panel discusses troubleshooting common electronics failures at competitions, maintaining stable signal chains, using MIDI over USB when possible, and why teaching students to manage their own equipment is essential. The episode closes with advice on wireless microphones, speaker purchasing, compression techniques for soloists, and shout-outs to the many educators and designers helping grow Arizona’s marching arts audio community. Whether you’re just beginning with electronics or looking to level up your program’s sound design, this episode offers an incredible amount of practical insight and inspiration. Sponsored by the Arizona Marching Band Association (AZMBA). You can reach the Copper State Marching Podcast at podcast@azmba.org. Resources and sites discussed in Part 1 or Part 2: Marching Arts Audio Discussion Page on Facebook Mic Suggestions Shure SM57 Digital Auto Workstation Mainstage Logic Pro Ableton Hardware Sampl Roland Sample Pad, SP40, 404MK2 Sounds/narration/effects Freesound.org Fiverr.com - sound actor resource Voice123.com Foley tutorials on youtube Kontakt (plugin) Sound cart/speaker design Titan Pagentry Pyle Synced Up (builds full sound system) Other pinecil soldering iron Shure Education Material

  8. May 26

    Electronics and Sound Design Part 1, The First Steps

    In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, hosts Martin Hebda and Matt Kozacek dive into one of the most intimidating, but essential, parts of modern marching arts. Electronics and sound design. From spinning wheels of death and sample mishaps on championships day to practical advice for building a reliable sound setup, this conversation is packed with real world experiences and actionable tips for directors at every level. Joining the podcast are sound design and audio specialists Zack Whittier and Claire Thorpe-Coody, who share their journeys into the world of marching audio and break down the basics of getting started with electronics. Whether your program only has only a synth and a guitar amp or you’re exploring digital mixers and advanced mic setups, this episode covers foundational strategies, affordable equipment recommendations, troubleshooting advice, cable management, mixer options, and the importance of asking for help. Listeners will also hear discussion about: - Beginner-friendly ways to introduce electronics into a marching program - Recommended microphones, mixers, and sample pads - Using iPads and apps for triggering samples - Analog vs. digital mixers - Daisy chaining, stage boxes, and cable management - Online communities and resources for learning marching audio - Common electronic failures — and how to avoid them This is Part 1 of a two-part deep dive into electronics and sound design in the marching arts. Whether you're brand new to amplification or looking to improve your current setup, this episode offers practical guidance, relatable stories, and expert insight for every band director and sound tech. Whether you’re a band director, student leader, staff member, or marching arts educator, this episode is packed with real-world leadership advice, rehearsal strategies, and thoughtful conversation about building stronger programs and stronger people. To send in your own band dilemmas or questions, email the podcast team at podcast@azmba.org. Resources and sites discussed in Part 1 or Part 2: Marching Arts Audion Discussion Page on Facebook Mic Suggestions Shure SM57 Digital Auto Workstation Mainstage Logic Pro Ableton Hardware Sampl Roland Sample Pad, SP40, 404MK2 Sounds/narration/effects Freesound.org Fiverr.com - sound actor resource Voice123.com Foley tutorials on youtube Kontakt (plugin) Sound cart/speaker design Titan Pagentry Pyle Synced Up (builds full sound system) Other pinecil soldering iron Shure Education Material

See All (36)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Copper State Marching Podcast! Join us as we dive deep into the vibrant world of marching bands across Arizona and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned musician, a proud parent, or simply a fan of the art form, our podcast is your go-to source for all things marching! Each episode features engaging interviews with talented band directors, passionate students, and industry experts who share their insights, experiences, and tips for success. We’ll explore the latest trends, discuss the challenges faced by marching bands, and celebrate the incredible talent found in our Copper State. From competition highlights to behind-the-scenes stories, we aim to inspire and connect the marching band community. So grab your instruments, tune in, and let’s march together into the exciting world of music and performance! This podcast would not be possible without the cooperation of the Arizona Marching Band Association. Thank you AzMBA Board and partnerships!

Information

  • Creator
    Martin Hebda, host - Aaron Vogel, Matt Kozacek, Dan Hoffman, co-hosts
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © AzMBA 2024
  • Show Website
    Copper State Marching Podcast

You Might Also Like