Derrick Killam - Podcast Details

Shows

Ask MikeMike Lunney's Marching Band Academy - Lesson 3: Finding Success Beyond the BasicsSend us a textIn this episode Mike Lunney shares keys to success by looking beyond the basics. In the discussion, we flesh out and work through how to incorporate the eight core principles discussed in Lesson 2, as well as looking at the big picture as we organize our daily rehearsal blocks.2025-07-181h 08

Ask MikeMike Lunney's Marching Band Academy - Lesson 2: Checking the BoxesSend us a textIn our ongoing episode series for all things marching band, this episode is focused on the different boxes adjudicators are using to determine how well your band is performing. Is your band demonstrating the measurables for the highest box, or are there things you can focus on to get them there? Mike Lunney shares a peek behind the curtain so you can know what the adjudicators are using to put your band in the correct box!2025-07-111h 21

Ask MikeMike Lunney's Marching Band Academy - Lesson 1: How Do We Win?Send us a textHow do we win at Marching Band? Mike isn't talking about trophies in this episode; he's talking about the things that make us successful regardless of trophies or plaques. Let's help your program establish a standard. Let's help your kids get back into feeling good and doing movement. Let's use this episode as a launch pad for a successful marching season for your program!2025-07-041h 05

Ask MikeThe Non-Varsity Groups...Are You Experienced?Send us a textNew Guest Alert! Ask Mike is excited to welcome Jett Lowrance to the podcast! We sit down and talk about the triumphs and pitfalls of the non varsity group. How do we motivate them? How do we teach them? Listen to the wisdom that comes from experience. Jett has fantastic insights and expresses them well.2025-06-281h 10

Ask MikeThey Aint Heavy, They're Our Program Kids!Send us a textThe Hollies had a hit with, "He Aint Heavy, He's My Brother." One of the lines... "His Welfare is of my concern, no burden is he..." What a great sentiment! And one that many of us in Music Education relate to.But how do we help? What is expected? What is acceptable? As educators, we have such an awesome opportunity to affect for good!Joined again this episode by friend Brian Hecimovich, the discussion is one that comes from real world experience on both ends of the need equation. 2025-06-201h 08

Ask MikeWiggly Bodies - Rule 19! Mike Lunney's Band Rules!Send us a textIn this episode, Mike Lunney shares his Rules for Band! Read them, learn them, live by them! Or at least give them a listen and follow the link to download a document you can share or edit for your program!2025-06-1340 min

Ask MikeOn Further Evaluation... Thoughts on Teacher EvaluationsSend us a textThe question for Mike Lunney this week is, "Does it matter who evaluates a music educator?" What can we take away from an evaluation done by a non-music supervisor. Should we prepare differently, can it be constructive? Settle in and listen to the experience flow as we once again Ask Mike!2025-06-0644 min

Ask MikeHow Do We Manage our Classroom?Send us a textIn this episode, Mike Lunney answers the question of classroom management. Is it discipline? Is it having a plan in place to create a positive learning environment? We'll discuss! And we'll discuss the importance of having a plan ready when an administrator asks about it, whether in an interview or in situations that may arise in teaching.2025-05-3058 min

Ask MikeTeaching Perfectionists and SuperstarsSend us a textMike and Derrick are joined in this episode by our friend Rusty Gray. Our conversation is about recognizing your high achiever and your perfectionist and digs in to how we can best help them reach their potential while teaching them how to be the healthiest version of themselves. And we talk about how to keep all the students engaged without focusing too much on either end of talent pool in your group.2025-05-231h 06

Ask MikeAre We Successful? What's the Definition?Send us a textGlad to have friend Anthony Gibson back to help Mike and Derrick hash out how we define success as music educators. Or maybe a better thought... how SHOULD we define success as a music educator? Let us encourage you with this episode, you are doing a noble thing! And I bet you're doing it better than you are giving yourself credit for!2025-05-161h 13

Ask MikeMoving On Up - The Job Transition Up In ClassificationsSend us a textIn this episode, Mike and Derrick are joined by Brian Hecimovich from Fredericksburg, Texas. Brian talks us through some of the differences moving from a program in a smaller classification to a program in a larger classification. It's a great conversation for those considering moving up in the size of the program they are teaching. Mike and Brian talk about differences in population, in teaching styles, learning delegation, etc. 2025-05-091h 11

Ask MikeExit Stage Left - How we leave a job speaks loudly!Send us a textSometimes we move jobs. It really doesn't matter what the catalyst was for our departure, we can all leave with integrity. In this episode, Mike Lunney discusses several ideas about leaving your current position in the most positive manner you can. Remember, the program is about serving the students in it, not about you. How can we make the transition as smooth as possible for the next person leading that program?2025-05-021h 00

Ask MikeCreating a Program Kids Want to Be a Part OfSend us a textRecruiting and Retention, we all talk about it, we all want it to happen... but what can we do daily to make sure the kids WANT to be in the program? It is a year round activity but making it a part of your band culture will make it painless! Mike Lunney (with plenty of interruptions from Derrick) shares his ideas on creating a program kids will sell for you.2025-04-2554 min

Ask MikeMarching Shows: Time to Remember the DrillsSend us a textIt is time to make sure your have the drill down for the upcoming season! Mike Lunney shares some timely reminders to help us get ready for the summer and fall. These are the things that you can take care of now to make it easier then. No one wants to shake their head and say, "I wish I would have done this sooner!"2025-04-181h 16

Ask MikeThere's a Job for You! Riding the Waves of the Job Search Tide.Send us a textWhether you are looking for your first job, looking for a new and better job, or just finding out you might need to look for a job, Mike Lunney has great advice in making sure you are checking off the correct boxes for those doing the hiring! And Mike also explains there are several waves of job hiring that happen throughout the spring and into the summer, just catch the right one and follow Mike's advice, and we hope you land in the greatest job yet!2025-04-1157 min

Ask MikeExploring the Self Determination TheorySend us a textGuest Stephen Cox is back with Mike and Derrick to dig deeper into the concept of Self Determination Theory. The crew discusses the three components of Self Determination: Competence, Relatedness, and Autonomy, and how these thoughts relate specifically to helping our music students achieve more because they have more input and investment. Thank you for joining us again Steven Cox!2025-04-041h 14

Ask MikeWant a Better Band? The Man In The MirrorSend us a textAfter talking about rehearsal space, warm-ups, tuning, planning rehearsals, and problem solving with our groups, in this episode, Mike Lunney encourages us all to be willing to also stop and do some honest evaluation of our teaching and relational abilities as the leader of the ensemble. Even the best of us can make some positive evaluations and challenge ourselves to improve!2025-03-2859 min

Ask MikePlanning the Perfect RehearsalSend us a textThe elusive perfect rehearsal. Neither Mike or Anthony will fess up if they've ever had a perfect rehearsal, but they can share ways you can plan for one! And know when rehearsal is over that progress was made... that's perfect.2025-03-2150 min

Ask MikeProblem Solving: All the ThingsSend us a textContinuing with our guest, Anthony Gibson, the Ask Mike crew looks at several sets of problems and how to solve them! You can do it!2025-03-1457 min

Ask MikeRecruiting and Retention: Tips for Keeping the Butts in the Seats!Send us a textIn this episode of Ask Mike, guest Anthony Gibson shares tips for recruiting and retaining the most important part of your program, the students! Taken from session notes presented at many professional organizations and conferences, take some notes and listen to some experience and wisdom!2025-03-0757 min

Ask MikeWarm Up and Tuning: Put Some Respect On ItSend us a textIs your ensemble's warm up just something to give you time to take attendance? Do your students know why, and more importantly what the purpose of the warm ups are? Are you teaching your ensemble to tune as an ensemble, or do you give concert F-G-A-Bb a quick pass around the room? Anthony Gibson and Mike Lunney have a great conversation about helping your group prepare for a great rehearsal through how you warm up, and how they understand intonation. 2025-02-2845 min

Ask MikeThe Band Hall: Create the Ambiance for SuccessSend us a textThe first of three sessions that our friend, Anthony Gibson, sat in with the guys at Ask Mike. Mr. Gibson is well versed in creating an atmosphere for success in the rehearsal hall. Your group will rehearse and perform better when you create an atmosphere for success!2025-02-2139 min

Ask MikeDon't Get Trapped in a Glass Case of Emotions!Send us a textThe stress of spring, contest season, losing students in your rehearsal to other activities and groups... it adds up. But Mike Lunney has some suggestions for helping to manage the emotional season. He even had to practice some of them on Derrick Killam in this episode. You're going to make it, just use some of these ideas to help navigate the emotions!2025-02-1438 min

Ask MikeSpring Cleaning: Tone to DynamicsSend us a textSpring Cleaning, not everybody loves it but we probably all need to do a little! Whether it's our characteristic sounds and tone, our articulation, or dynamics. Mike Lunney is here to advocate for all of it! And encourage you in the process! Time to quit looking past the clutter and get your ensemble back on the straight and narrow! *looks for musical feather duster*2025-02-071h 22

Ask MikeMusic Education the Saban WaySend us a textMike Lunney discusses great thoughts from "How Great Do You Want To Be" by Nick Saban, and relates these thoughts to our perspective as music educators.2025-02-0154 min

Ask MikeSuccess: What is Our Product?Send us a textFantastic visit with Stephen Cox of the Willis Wonderland Foundation exploring how music education is taught in our schools. The ultimate question of, "What is our product?" leads to some thought provoking, perhaps challenging, discussions!2025-01-241h 28

Ask MikeTeaching All Beginners in the Same Class...We See You!Send us a textHeterogeneous classroom teaching. In music education it is a big word for: Congratulations! You're teaching all the beginners in the same class! But our friend Mike Lunney has not only been there, but he also made it work and had a successful program! As Mike shares in the episode, his class had between 50-60 kids, was scheduled last period...AFTER PE!Be encouraged, you can do it! And Mike Lunney has some great tips to help you!2025-01-1734 min

Ask MikeThis Old Rehearsal Hall: Pt 2 - Some Admin ConsiderationsSend us a textThis is the second episode to help answer questions about New Rehearsal Space Construction.In this episode we are excited to have Jay Lester as our guest to walk back through the first episode and offer comment, as well as offer insight from the administrative side of the project. Mr. Lester has been involved in multiple projects as an administrator, and his insight will help you communicate your needs and approach to your administration during planning and actual construction!2025-01-1041 min

Ask MikeThis Old Rehearsal Hall: Navigating the Construction and Makeover Projects Pt 1Send us a textWhat things should an educator consider when looking at a possible new construction for a rehearsal room, or an addition or makeover of the existing rehearsal space? Season 2 of the Ask Mike Podcast starts with a two-part response to this question submitted to the podcast.In part one, we welcome Loy Studer from Wichita Falls Legacy and Dane Richardson from Holliday ISD. Both have recently been a part of a construction project and have a ton of insight into the process. Part one is the teacher's perspective on things to consider...2025-01-031h 00

Ask MikeSpring Semester! You got this!Send us a textMusic Educators, what you do is amazing! You are warriors, you are well able, you are so needed! Mike Lunney and Derrick Killam take a moment to say, "Thank You!" and hopefully encourage you as you gear up for the best Spring semester you've ever had as an educator!2024-12-2735 min

Ask MikeChoosing Music: Small School EditionSend us a textIn a previous episode, Mike Lunney and Derrick Killam were joined by Jason Brents and Daniel Todd to discuss choosing music to fit your performing ensemble for evaluation. It was a great episode full of great ideas.SO IS THIS EPISODE! But this episode features guests Tommy Perkins and James Cross, two seasoned directors who have spent large portions of their careers in smaller Texas HS classifications. This episode is geared to the challenges of a small (one person?) staff and the scheduling challenges of a smaller enrollment.This c...2024-12-201h 03

Ask MikeSolo and Ensemble Time! Let's make your program better!Send us a textSolo and ensemble time, we've kind of turned that into necessary evil.What if I told you, if you change your perspective, it could be a huge step to make your band better! What a great opportunity to help your students become better musicians, learning to listen, blend, and make better musical choices.Mike Lunney gives us a quick primer on how to use Solo and Ensemble events to help you help them be great!2024-12-1346 min

Ask MikeMarching Show Design: Yes, It's TimeSend us a textI know it might feel like you just put the current show to bed, but it's time to start looking at next year's show design. In today's climate, if you are using someone to write your show or drill, they are already booking up for next year! This episode was a revelation to Derrick, maybe it is to you, as well. Mike Lunney walks us through the reasoning and the process!2024-12-061h 06

Ask MikeTime Management: Time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin...Send us a textMike Watts returns to sit in with Mike Lunney and Derrick Killam for an enlightening conversation about Time Managment as an educator. How do we get the most out of the time we have in the classroom? Relax and listen as the voices of experience guide you through some time management steps to increase productivity in your classroom@2024-11-2953 min

Ask MikeRehearsal Habits: We are what we repeatedly do!Send us a textHow are your rehearsals going? Are they frustrating? Do you seem to never accomplish your goals?Aristotle said, "Quality is not an act, it is a habit." The author, Will Durant, expanded this thought when he said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."In this episode Derrick asks Mike to expand on these three thoughts from Jon Acuff, as they relate to rehearsal and doing the small things right."The are only three ways to improve your l...2024-11-221h 01

Ask MikeChoosing Music: Throwing Darts at the PMLSend us a textThis is a great episode! We pull a question from the email, "How do I choose my music for UIL?" And we have guests Daniel Todd and Jason Brents. Along with Mike Lunney, this makes over 80 years of experience choosing music and programming for UIL in Texas Concert and Sightreading Evaluations.As the knight in Indiana Jones says, "You must choose...but choose wisely." That's where this episode comes in! Great insight whether you are new to picking a program or if you have been throwing darts at the UIL PML...2024-11-151h 04

Ask MikeBeing Coachable: Is It Possible We Don't Know It All?Send us a textTo quote Aldous Huxley, "Experience teaches only the teachable." Once we decide we know it all, we won't grow any further. In this episode, Mike Lunney encourages us all to remain teachable, to remain coachable. None of us have all the answers, but there are people who can help us if we let them. 2024-11-0852 min

Ask MikeParent Meetings... How Far Did the Apple Fall From the Tree?Send us a textListen, no one wants to believe their child is the problem child, and most of the time they aren't, it was just a problem with the child. Then there are those parent meetings where you realize, "This makes much more sense now." Mike Lunney shares his thoughts on the best way to handle the parent(s) who just can't fathom the idea that their child would ever be at fault. 2024-11-0144 min

Ask MikeOn A Scale of 1 - 5, What Do We Do With Contest Ratings?Send us a textAs the saying goes, "Some days are diamonds, and some days...well, aren't." Recorded live from a contest venue, Mike Lunney and Derrick Killam consider healthy ways to accept a contest rating, whether it's the best or not what you hoped for. Join the discussion as we Ask Mike, "Where do we go from here?"askmike@ntunemusic.com 2024-10-2536 min

Ask MikeFinish Strong! Helping your group down the home stretch!Send us a textYou're almost there, the target is in sight... so why are your kids slowing down? In this episode, Mike Lunney encourages educators to remember that when your group has been working hard for a few months toward your performance, there will be some tired moments of resistance. How do we motivate our group when they seem to be hitting a plateau? Great ideas to change up the rehearsals and reword the message to get your group motivated and back on the track to their best possible performance! 2024-10-1845 min

Ask Mike"F is First Valve!" A Visit with Eric BakerSend us a textThis episode welcomes friend Eric Baker! We discuss DCI, Trumpets Mic'd Up, and the great things going on at the University of Texas Permian Basin! Great episode to help get your high school musicians connected with a college or university, helping them to keep making the music they love!2024-10-111h 03

Ask MikeField Timing: Fixing the Tears In Your Tempo!Send us a textAgain, discussing marching bands as we rush toward contest season at the speed of sound! Some call it "phasing," some call it "a tear in the tempo." Either way it can be frustrating to pinpoint the source and install the fix. You are in luck! Mike Lunney applies the laws of physics and geometry to help you fix this common problem. Sound complicated? Nah! It's as easy as lobbing tennis balls!2024-10-0440 min

Ask MikeMarching Festivals: Everybody's Doing ItSend us a textThis episode the guys consider the benefits of marching festivals. And discuss how to determine which festival is right for your group. They even ponder the question, how many festivals are enough? Are there enough? Listen to Mike Lunney educate Derrick Killam on all things festivals!2024-09-2735 min

Ask MikeClassroom Management: Help Me Help You!Send us a textSometimes student teachers and/or first year younger teachers have a hard time navigating their relationships with students AND with those they are working with or for. Not the head director, not a student in the program. How can we help them get their best experiences and teach them great foundations for classroom management? Fortunately, Mike Lunney has been there! A great episode for the experienced teacher with a student teacher, and for the student teacher wanting to get the most from their time.2024-09-2052 min

Ask MikeExamining the Petri Dish of Band CultureSend us a textIn this episode of Ask Mike, Mr. Lunney revisits the concept of student leadership and pushes it further to consider the culture of an organization. Is this something that happens organically? Can we as music educators help shape this elusive and fickle aspect of music programs? Sure glad we can Ask Mike!2024-09-1357 min

Ask MikeMarching Band Rehearsals: Are you rehearsing the right things? Pt 2Send us a textAre we being efficient in our Marching Rehearsals? Do we even rehearse the things that need to be rehearsed? Listen to Mike Lunney share his best practices and how he eliminated time wasters and things that were stealing from his rehearsals.2024-09-0645 min

Ask MikeMarching Band Rehearsals: Are you rehearsing the right things? Pt 1Send us a textAre we being efficient in our Marching Rehearsals? Do we even rehearse the things that need to be rehearsed? Listen to Mike Lunney share his best practices and how he eliminated time wasters and things that were stealing from his rehearsals.2024-08-3045 min

Ask MikeGet on the bus, Gus! Let's talk traveling to football games!Send us a textHave you made your list? Checked it twice? This week, Mike Lunney shares his accumulated checklist to make sure your group is ready to travel to your Friday night football game. It's not just away games, if your stadium isn't on campus, it's the same thought process! Be sure to go to ntunemusic.com/askmike to get the download!2024-08-2355 min

Ask MikeSometimes They Quit...It's Probably Not PersonalSend us a textMike Lunney's three stages of how to handle a student quitting: Begging, Anger, Best of Luck To You! There's lots of reasons kids feel the pressure to quit, and the large majority of them aren't, "I don't like my director!" Credits, other interests, just not up to the commitment... how do we respond to students leaving our program?Listen to Mike explain his experience with this journey that affects us all!2024-08-1634 min

Ask MikeRetirement: Never Too Early To PlanSend us a textMike Lunney is joined by guest and fellow retiree, Mike Watts, to discuss how its never too early to start retirement planning. It does sneak up on us all! Best practices, and maybe some things you hadn't considered before. It's a great listen!2024-08-1053 min

Ask MikeWhere, Oh Where, are my summer band kids?Send us a textWe all hope every student shows up to every rehearsal during summer band. If they don't, what do we do? Some considerations for a win/win in Summer Band Attendance with your friend and mine, Mike Lunney!2024-08-0230 min

Ask MikeWelcome to Teaching! Some thoughts for our First Year TeachersSend us a textIt's been a little while, but Mike really was a first-year teacher way back when! And since then, Mike has help many first-year teachers survive and become great veterans! This episode, Mike and Derrick discuss some helpful things to remember and think about as you dive into this wonderfully maddening, but very rewarding career!2024-07-261h 00

Ask MikeBeat the Heat! Guidelines for Summer BandSend us a textMike and Derrick discuss the UIL Recommendations for dealing with the heat during summer and fall outdoor rehearsals!2024-07-1957 min

Ask MikeStudent Leadership, Pt 2 - This is the WaySend us a textGoal setting, Communication, and Recognizing Different Personalities within your leadership team. Creating a great organization takes a great leadership team. Here is a great process to get your group operating with a great leadership team!2024-07-1245 min

Ask MikeStudent Leadership...This Is The WaySend us a textIf you aren't making time for student leadership in your program YOU are holding your program back! Listen to Mike Lunney discuss the process and considerations to create a successful leadership team in your program.2024-07-0538 min

Ask MikeRepeat After Me...Self CareSend us a textMike Lunney says the quiet part out loud. You matter in the process! Recognizing the signs of burn out and mental fatigue, some thoughts on how to deal with it, and some tips for managing or preventing it from happening all the time. Not counselors, but we've been there!2024-06-2844 min

Ask MikeCan We Rebuild It? Yes We Can! w/Lynsey Gold pt 2Send us a textPart 2 of this great conversation!Looking at a rebuild in your school music program? Join Mike Lunney and Lynsey Gold for practical and real-world tips that have worked for them. Lynsey Gold has taken two Texas high school band programs from not-that-impressive to WOW!2024-06-2143 min

Ask MikeCan We Rebuild It? Yes We Can! w/Lynsey GoldSend us a textLooking at a rebuild in your school music program? Join Mike Lunney and Lynsey Gold for practical and real-world tips that have worked for them. Lynsey Gold has taken two Texas high school band programs from not-that-impressive to WOW!2024-06-1438 min

Ask MikeInterviewing 101 w/Jay LesterSend us a textJay Lester spent years hiring music educators in Texas ISD's. In this episode he shares some great tips and best practices to make your interview successful. Between Mr. Lester and Mike Lunney, there is a lot of years of experience in this episode!2024-06-0755 min

Ask MikeAudition Drama: Are You Crying? There's No Crying in The Music Program...Send us a textWe've all experienced it in our school music auditions, how do we teach students (or their parents) to handle auditions with a little grace and humility? How do we teach students that if they don't win the audition, it doesn't mean they aren't appreciated and valued? Mike Lunney shares years of audition experience and some procedures that have helped him navigate the audition process. 2024-05-3141 min

Ask MikeWe Don't Need No Stinking Boosters...Or Do We?Send us a textMike Lunney discusses the importance of a strong booster organization. Mike also touches on how to locate and recruit some of the diamonds in the booster system, as well as helping booster land in the best position for them to help your school music program. Good stuff!2024-05-2835 min

Ask MikeRelax! It's the Last 6-Weeks, You Got This!Send us a textContinuing Mike's helpful punch list for finishing strong and setting up for success next year!2024-05-2529 min

Ask MikeLet's Get Started! How Do We End?Send us a textMeet Mike Lunney and Derrick Killam, two average Joes who have a little life on us in the world of School Music Education. Our goal is to help those we can by answering some of the questions our degrees didn't! And providing a resource for some who are out there in the middle of it with no real safety net to fall on! We don't take ourselves to seriously, but we're serious about answering questions and helping school music programs!2024-05-2423 min

Ask MikeAsk Mike Trailer 2024Send us a textAsk Mike is a discussion/question answering opportunity for school music educators looking for advice or the accumulated experience of over 30 years. Mike Lunney and Derrick Killam talk about everything from what to do in different seasons to auditions to boosters. The goal is to help all of us succeed!2024-05-2301 min

All2ReelToo - A Pop Culture PodcastNobody's Watching (2006) PILOT ERROR TV REVIEWIn this episode we take a look at the unsold pilot for Nobody's Watching Two best friends challenge the WB to let them create a new sitcom - they're surprised when they're left to live on a sound stage and have their every move recorded while working on the project.Taran Killam... Derrick Paul Campbell ... WillLauren Bittner ... Jill NolanMircea Monroe ... Mandy CampbellPaul Adelstein ... Jeff Tucker Bob Clendenin ... Roy Ingold Alan Thicke ... Alan Thicke James Michael...2022-03-0439 min