Shows
Band HacksIf Being a Band Director Came with a Warning LabelDoug and Jason are back with a brand new season of podcasts! If you could buy the job of "Band Director" on the store shelf, what would the warning label say? Better yet...what would we ignore? Would we really ingest Tide pods, eat a cup of cinnamon, or take the ghost pepper challenge? Join us for this Season 4 Episode 1 of Band Hacks!2024-09-121h 18Band HacksAdjudicators-Those People are Nuts!Doug and Jason swim into the murky waters of adjudication in the primarily "concert band" realm of things. This one is not for the faint of heart and examines both sides of the adjudicator/director perspectives. Get your popcorn ready! 2024-04-182h 02Band HacksDesigners, Communication, and Explosives!Have you ever had a designer say or agree to one thing, and completely miss or blow the deadlines/expectations...then act like it was no big deal? Doug and Jason look closely at items to consider as you are in talks with a new or current designer for your marching band. This is very much a "on the soap-box" episode as we look at some of the traps we can fall into unknowingly and unintentionally. We think you will enjoy it!2023-12-191h 07Band HacksConsiderations for Developing the Individual Musicians in Your Band ProgramDoug and Jason take a closer look at things to consider as we develop the individual student musicians in our band programs. Individual gains will pay enormous dividends in ensemble strength and performance. 2023-11-171h 21Band HacksMarching Band Show Reflective Analysis, Evaluation, and Refinement during Contest SeasonIt is Marching Contest Season 2023! Doug and Jason take our listeners through reflective and critical evaluation techniques to consider and employ as you refine your contest show. This is not an exhaustive list, but is a great starting place into evaluating current status as well as the "next steps to refinement" as we near the later part of the season. Take a listen before your next rehearsal! You will be glad you did!2023-09-281h 49Band HacksGame Procedures and Reminders for Marching Band during Game Week!Doug and Jason take a detailed look at things to consider/plan as you prepare for your first football game! It's been a whole year...take a listen for some helpful reminders and Jason being Jason!2023-08-221h 03Band HacksBand Boosters Part 2As promised, Doug and Jason go very "in depth" with Booster Operations, Spending, Transparency, Meetings, 501 c3, Tax Implications, as well as some reminders from the last episode. If you have never had a booster club, or want to start one, or want to hear the advantages to moving towards a 501 C3 status, this is your episode! It will also shed some light on operations and procedures for those of you that perhaps have some adjustments that you want to make. Please join us or let us know how we can be of service!!! 2023-06-231h 18Band HacksBand Boosters Part 1Doug and Jason take a deep dive into band boosters! Episode 1 takes a look at relationships, roles, governing documents, processes, procedures and perspective! This will be a two parter...we do scratch the surface of finances, but episode 2(in 2 weeks) will get into more specifics(Law, Policy, 501C3, etc).2023-06-101h 11Band HacksSo you're the new Band Director...now what?Doug and Jason take a look at how best to enter a new job situation and dive into all the possible/potential landmines one might encounter along the way! If you are changing schools or just want a reminder of how to manage some of these unique challenges, please take a listen!2023-04-031h 23Band HacksBurnout, Contracts, Quiet Quitting, and Difficult Conversations with SupervisorsDoug and Jason take a deep dive into band director burnout, employment contracts and expectations, quiet quitting, and having difficult conversations with your supervisor about workloads. This episode looks at both extremes of the job from working so much that you burn out on one end, or doing just enough to keep your job on the other end. It is a little long, but we cover several topics in this one.2023-01-271h 26Band HacksMarching Band Shows...Where do I begin?!Doug and Jason take a deep dive into developing your Marching Band show! We try to offer some common sense ways to approach the scary parts of this design/discovery/research process. If you are a young director or a director that thinks your creativity is lacking when it comes to show ideas, this episode is for you!2022-12-071h 10Band HacksStudent Leadership with Dr. Sean Walker!Doug and Jason sit down with RCISD's Executive Director of Secondary Schools and Leadership Development, Dr. Sean Walker. Dr. Walker takes us through his approach to leadership and how it can be managed with students and adults, for the betterment of any organization! 2022-11-041h 12Band HacksManaging Audition Expectations and Results with Reagan BrumleyDoug and Jason have the opportunity to visit with Reagan Brumley, Director of Bands and Fine Arts Coordinator at Lake Highlands High School in Richardson ISD. Reagan is also the current Vice President of the Texas Bandmasters Association. This episode looks at the approach Reagan and his staff take with managing audition expectations and results within their band program. This is a MUST LISTEN episode for all band directors, regardless of teaching location or level!2022-10-121h 03Band HacksManaging Anxiety and Stress in our ProfessionDoug and Jason look at ways to manage the anxiety and stress that goes with our profession, both in general performance and competitive environments. Nervous about contest, feel like things are not going great, need a break? This episode is for you!2022-09-301h 14Band HacksA Philosophical Approach to Apples and OrangesHave you ever said..."We will never be that good/big/wealthy/loud/" while comparing yourself to other ensembles(in any classification)? Doug and Jason take a deep dive into defining success for programs, managing differences in classification and resources, and keeping the focus of our approach where it belongs...on our students!2022-09-021h 19Band HacksMarching Band Percussion with Connor PickleDoug and Jason welcome RCISD District Director of Percussion as our first guest of Band Hacks! In this episode we ask Connor to give us some insight into his approach to marching percussion as well as the things we non percussionist band directors need to consider as we travel the season! Some great pearls of wisdom in this episode!2022-08-171h 21Band HacksCrazy Kids, Crazy Parents, Crazy Directors!Doug and Jason discuss all of the challenges and fun we experience in this small period of time leading up to summer band rehearsals! This should help everyone start the marching season keeping the right things in perspective, while having some laughs at the same time!2022-07-191h 07
Band HacksSafety, Security, and Active ThreatsDoug and Jason take a close look at what to do in certain bus travel, weather, security and active threat scenarios. Many topics in this episode, but all are very important in the current scope of our job as music educators. We do review the Standard Response Protocol to active shooter/active threat scenarios as published by the I Love You Guys foundation. If you are not familiar with this, please give it a listen!!2022-06-291h 45Band HacksEnd of Year Checklist/Show Design ConsiderationsDoug and Jason dive deep into the "End of the Year" checklist and discuss at length end of year items to consider! The other topic gets into addressing issues in show design, communicating with designers, and double checking music/drill before it is time to teach it! While this is a high school specific episode, still many great concepts to apply at the middle school level!2022-05-271h 49Band HacksOvernight Trips with Students!Doug and Jason get into overnight trips with students, processes, procedures, current issues facing directors (such as unique rooming situations), chaperones and best practices for a smooth and safe trip! Remember each situation is different and must be handled in the best interest of ALL the students and according to your district's procedures!
Disclaimer: Remember we are not attorneys and your administration is always the best place to start in determining how to handle specific situations and to make sure students are having a great trip!2022-05-111h 27Band HacksStaff Dynamics!Doug and Jason dive into the perspectives of staff members as well as the lead director and ways to make sure we are all on the same page! If you have ever had a challenging co-worker, this is a must listen!2022-04-201h 16Band HacksThe Interview! Job Seeking Part 2Doug and Jason dive deep into the Interview process! A must listen for our younger friends!2022-03-311h 39Band HacksJob Seeking Part 1Doug and Jason examine and reflect on things to consider when trying to get that first job interview or when searching for a job as a band director. This is a must listen for our younger folks or anyone preparing to seek new employment! Part 2 will be the interview process coming soon!2022-03-171h 25Band HacksLegal Land Mines for Band Directors Part 2Doug and Jason wrap up the second part of this two part series! In this episode, we dive into the legal land mines of dealing with money, student transportation and travel, and the ins and outs of employee contracts(your responsibility vs. the district's responsibility). This is a big bunch of things that are not typically covered in college and are things you need to know! Definitely a couple of laughs in this one too! 2022-03-101h 18Band HacksLegal Landmines for Band Directors Part 1Doug and Jason dive into a number of potential legal "landmines" that we face as music educators. We discuss appropriate communication, educator and student freedom of speech, audition procedures, FERPA, Handbooks, and social media. This is Part 1 of what will be at least a 2 part series due to the information we cover. Please take a listen! 2022-02-171h 12Band HacksCleaning Your Ensemble Before Contest/Evaluation!!!This episode dives into the things we should be addressing/considering in our stage music for contest/evaluation. Great insight and reminders for those of you headed to contest in March!2022-02-031h 15Band HacksEliminating the Monotony in Rehearsal!Doug and Jason dive into the the challenges we face in keeping rehearsal relevant and engaging! 2022-01-281h 09Band HacksSightreading vs. The Band!!Doug and Jason discuss their approach to sightreading with their students and offer suggestions for practical ways to approach a UIL evaluation rather than simply "teaching to the contest." Great advice for our younger friends!2022-01-201h 06Band HacksAdministrators!A MUST LISTEN for anyone that struggles with understanding how to work with their administrators. A little longer than usual but a super important topic!2022-01-131h 11Band HacksContest/Evaluation Music Selection!Listen to Doug and Jason walk through their process for selecting music for contest/evaluation!2022-01-0558 minBand HacksBeyond Band!You made it! The semester is over! Time to reflect and focus on things that are BEYOND BAND. Easier said than done though right? Join us!2021-12-1758 minBand HacksBand Hacks: Tell Your Story!Doug and Jason dive into the concept of "Telling Your Story" in terms of marketing and promotion of your band program to your community!2021-12-1044 minBand HacksBand Hacks...The BeginningDoug and Jason dive into their first episode discussing their education, careers, and challenges they have faced as young educators! Come join us and let us know what you think! This episode will be longer than most as we do cover some basics before getting into the actual content. We hope you enjoy!2021-12-021h 04
Band HacksBand Hacks Intro TrailerCatch our trailer before we drop our first episode after Thanksgiving! Special thank you to Mr. Carlos Botello for our podcast music!2021-11-2102 min