Band Hacks: Recent Episodes
Doug Fulwood
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!
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!
Doug 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.
It 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!
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!
As 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!!!
Doug 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).
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!
Doug 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.
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!
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!
Doug 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!
Doug 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!
Have 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!
Doug 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!
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!
Doug 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!!
Doug 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!
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!
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!
Doug and Jason dive deep into the Interview process! A must listen for our younger friends!
Doug 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!
Doug 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!
Doug 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!
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!
Doug and Jason dive into the the challenges we face in keeping rehearsal relevant and engaging!
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!
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!
Listen to Doug and Jason walk through their process for selecting music for contest/evaluation!
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!
Doug and Jason dive into the concept of "Telling Your Story" in terms of marketing and promotion of your band program to your community!
Doug 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!
Catch our trailer before we drop our first episode after Thanksgiving! Special thank you to Mr. Carlos Botello for our podcast music!