It's a special episode with both Jerry and Brad --- we're gearing up to attend the 2021 MMEA Virtual Midwinter Clinic Hear what we're excited about! We can't wait to see you all at the Midwinter Clinic - but be sure to take a listen before the conference begins on Thursday!

Brad sits downs with special guest Peter Guenther (Owatonna HS) to discuss the new Disney/Pixar movie, SOUL. And although the lead character is a middle school band director and jazz musician, we learn that the movie is about much, MUCH more than just music. Ring in the new year with a message of hope and life - join us for our reflections on SOUL.  If you enjoyed this interview, you can find many other episodes of Band in Minnesota on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Anchor, Breaker, Spotify,...

OUR FINAL EPISODE OF SEASON ONE! Saxophonist & retired music educator Randy Lee talks music of the Arrowhead & North Shore. From Grand Rapids to Duluth to Grand Marais (and everywhere in between) he talks about the historic figures who shaped music-making in the region ... and those who continue the rich music culture there today.  STAY TUNED FOR EXCITING NEWS ABOUT WHAT'S COMING SOON! If you enjoyed this interview, you can find many other episodes of Band in Minnesota on Apple...

Building community around any band programs is an important aspect of our work as band directors. We have two leaders from the Rosemount Band program that have a proven track record that can inspire us all. Leon Sieve joined the faculty of Rosemount High School, Rosemount, Minnesota in the fall of 2002 and is in his 27th year of teaching instrumental music. Leon received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota in May, 1993 and a...

TAKEOVER EPISODE!!!  Erin Holmes (Director of Bands at Farmington High School) and Scott Agster (Adjunct Professor at Anoka Ramsey Community College & current All-State Jazz Director) discuss tools and strategies for starting off the Fall 2020 school year.  Scott guides you through devices and software to make recording from home practical.  Erin gives some insight into how Farmington is setting their students up for success from day one. Jerry and Brad are nowhere to be found in this...

Erik Hermanson teaches 6-12 band in Cleveland, Minnesota. He has built a program over the past 27 years that has an incredible amount of administrative, community, parent, and student support. He has approximately 90% of the student population in the band program and also serves as his school’s football coach. Erik is a world class community builder, band director, and leader. We are happy to share this success story with our listeners! Show Timings (00:00)  Introduction (02:21)  First and...

What if we asked a principal, “How can band directors best advocate for their program?” Now imagine if that principal was a musician and former band director! Kim Budde, Principal at Lakeville North HS, gives honest advice to band directors who may be considering a future in admin, reminding us of the unique skills all musicians have as potential leaders in their schools. She gives us hints and tricks to all music educators of how best to talk to your administrators - and how to effectively...

He's best known as Founder of the Dallas Brass, but Michael Levine has another passion: the Harmony Bridge Project, a flexible ensemble music method for middle school and HS students. We enjoy so many talented musicians in our state, but Levine is definitely one of Minnesota’s mavericks. He is originally from St. Louis Park, MN, and was a music major at the University of Minnesota before transferring to The Juilliard School where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Trombone Performance. The...

In 2020, Music Advocacy has never been more relevant or important. Today we sit down with Kristin Chase, advocacy co-chair of the Minnesota Music Educators Association. She shares vital information about how you can advocate for music education in your community! Kristin Chase is one of two advocacy co-chairs for the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA).  She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Minnesota, and a Master’s degree in Education and...

If you’re a beginner band director or a general music specialist this is an episode for you. Building bridges with your elementary general music teacher has some real benefits for you and your students. Learn more about making these healthy connections. This is an episode specifically asked for by one of our listeners! Jennifer Jungwirth is an Elementary Music Specialist (K-5) at Five Hawks Elementary in Prior Lake. She is entering her 13th year as an elementary music specialist formerly in...

Facilities age and new schools are built. If you are a band director fortunate enough to be faced with new construction or renovations what so you do? Who do you turn to for information? Our two guests today have firsthand knowledge of the process. This conversation will provide you a check-list of things to do or think about for renovations or new construction of music facilities. Tark Katzenmeyer has taught for 18 years in both Minnesota and Florida, with teaching experience at the Middle...

This week: an important practical matter for band directors and arts administrators. A lack of instrument inventory to insure every child has access to instrumental music is not a new problem. With limited budgets, sharing instruments has long been a needed practice for many instrumental programs, especially larger instruments like tubas and baritone saxophones. With COVID-19 instrument sharing is no longer a safe practice without considerable protocols. This podcast will address the...

Cait Nishimura & Salvador Jacobo - two young composers (both in their 20’s) who have already written several very popular pieces of band music. In particular, Cait’s “Chasing Sunlight” and Sal’s “Vuelo” have been programmed by many band directors in Minnesota in the past two years. We wanted to know what it’s like to be a young composer from a demographic that is typically underrepresented in band music, and why their music has become especially popular in Minnesota. Additionally, we talk...

Ellen Dinwiddie Smith has been a member of the Minnesota Orchestra since 1993 and currently serves as third horn. Smith is Adjunct Professor of Horn at the University of Minnesota and has served as Young-Artist-Program faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music Summerfest since 2015. Smith is a 1987 graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, where she studied with Myron Bloom and was a member of the Curtis Wind Quintet, a top prize winner in the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. Prior to...

Spring Lake Park HS (MN) has a national reputation for innovation and inclusivity. Co-directors Nora Tycast and Brian Lukkasson have been featured on NPR, The Washington Post, and MPR thanks to their unyielding effort to program excellent music written by composers of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. Show timings: (00:00)  Introduction (02:58)  Opening the conversation (05:09)  Reasons why representation matters (12:50)  When representation matters the most (13:25)  How to...