Category: Podcast

I was transplanted into teaching from a performing career. I didn’t know anybody, but I quickly found my homies who could give me advice and encouragement when needed.

It’s important to find someone you can call – on the phone – or have coffee with. Social media friends don’t count. Oh, there are times when that can help, but there are times you just need to cry with someone.

The greatest mentor I ever had was Hosea Haynes. He was a member of the American School Band Director’s Association, an organization I’m proud to be a part of now.

If you don’t have some great people you can call, it just might be your own fault.

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)?

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

For years I have listened to interviews where people grew up in an award winning program, decided to be a teacher, went back to the award winning program to do their student teaching, found out the director was retiring and wanted them to step into the award winning program, and it continues to be an award winning program.

That is wonderful! But it hasn’t been my story. I have had to basically build each program from scratch. Don’t be afraid of doing that yourself!

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)?

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

With 23 years of teaching and ten as a professional musician, I have learned a lot over the years – much of it the hard way.

Not every technique works for every band every single time, but in this episode I share dozens of quick tips that have worked for me and others. Tips to improve tone and tuning, tips to improve balance and technique – and more.

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)?

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

Do you keep a planner, either electronic or old school? It’s not enough just to “keep” one. Make it a tool to help you plan your life and keep you balanced.

In this episode, I share seven strategies that have helped me be more balanced and be a much more effective teacher. Find out why I have a two year calendar and what exactly I do on Friday nights. Why is it important to learn to say no.

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)?

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

Do you feel safe behind the podium? Get out from behind there! It’s not the best place for you. In this episode we talk about the podium, pacing, and getting 100% of students to participate.

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)?

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

Do you want to make your first week of school great? Do you want to make band fun? Get the students doing something musical from day one!

EVERY OTHER TEACHER is going to spend the entire first day talking about rules, rules, rules. That makes MY eyes glaze over. Sift your rules down to just 2-3. You can always go more in depth later.

Start the first week with high expectations and lots of energy. And check out Episode 182: Should You Focus On Sound With Beginners

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com)?

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Why don’t they teach that in school?! Check out Adulting 101.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

You’ve just performed your last concert and there are two weeks left in school. Now what?

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). 

Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

There is nothing about a lost life that is easy. I experienced a huge loss in a community I served a number of years ago. I navigated it with great difficulty, anguish of heart, and much prayer. Hope my journey helps you.

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). 

Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

A parade can be a lot of fun – or it can be stressful and annoying. The choice is really up to you. These tips can help it lean more towards the fun side!

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). 

Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

It’s that season, where band teacher jobs are listed and many people change schools. Make sure you change for the RIGHT reason. Here are some tips that helped me a few years ago when I changed positions.

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). 

Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

College is great, but we don’t learn everything we need to know there. In this episode, I share seven things I wish I knew BEFORE I started teaching. Learn from my experience.

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). 

Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

There is life after teaching band. It MAY be something still in music, but it may be something totally unrelated to music. You have many options!

To get my free resource 40 Ways to Make Money as a Musician send me an email at jamesthedivine@gmail.com.

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). 

Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

You are not going to be the best teacher you can be if you don’t put your needs first – physical, relational, spiritual. When you take care of you, you are more equipped to serve your students. Everything in life works under the pay now or pay later rule.

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). 

Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

In this podcast, I share some great tips and ideas that you can use to create traditions and develop a great culture in your band. You must be intentional in this. The traditions you create will often be the memories that students think of years from now. You have the power to create a terrific culture!

Has the show benefited you? Would you consider supporting the podcast with a $5/month pledge through patreon or make a one time donation of any amount through Paypal (jamesthedivine@gmail.com). 

Find out more about fundraising for your program at Scool Services

Check out Music, Instruments and Science which includes 8+ lessons that are great for use on sub or distance learning days.

Need a speaker for your event? Need leadership training for your students? I’d love to talk.

Have a question for the podcast? jamesthedivine@gmail.com or 719-238-4193. 

Multitude of links and resources here

This is a replay of an episode I recorded in 2012. Excuse the sound quality. Many of you may not even be doing ANY concerts this year, much less a Christmas concert. In this very short episode, I just wanted to share some of my thoughts on why I chose many years ago to not have Christmas concerts. Maybe this will give you an idea for the future, when concerts return and the pandemic is a thing of the past. Disclaimer – I do set students up in caroling groups and we go around the school, often with the choir. Easy – fun – very well received!

This is the last episode of 2020. I look forward to bringing you more content next year. I’d love to hear from you! Send me a question or comment at jamesthedivine@gmail.com.