Make the most of this year's Band Camp experience! KEEP THE END-GOAL IN MIND Everything you do during band camp should be focused towards achieving the end result. Knowing where you want to go allows you to plan the route that will best get you there. The End-Goal is the GPS for the band. SET CHECK-IN & EVALUATION POINTS As you travel through the month of August (& the season) you want to be constantly evaluating your program to make sure you are on track to accomplishing your goal. My favorite GPS app is WAZE. This app is constantly scanning the traffic patterns ahead. It picks up de ..read more

by Aaron Noë The turkey is thawing and Rebekah and I are enjoying a relaxing day before Thanksgiving. As I sit here, I’m reminded of a hymn from my childhood, Count Your Blessings. Every year in the month of November we would sing this song and the pastor would remind us of God's work in life and tell us if we take a moment to “count [our] blessings” we will see how truly blessed we are regardless of what is happening around us. Thanksgiving, more than other holidays, causes many of us to pause and ‘Count our blessings.’ It falls at the perfect time for band directors to reflect on where they ..read more

Wind Conductor’s 2022 Summer Reading Project The Future of the Wind Band by William Perrine Over the past few years I’ve challenged myself to read ten books each year on the subjects of wind band, conducting and teaching. This past December I picked up several books from the GIA booth at Midwest. One of the books that caught my attention was Dr. William Perrine’s The Future of the Wind Band. The book features a series of essays by top Wind Band conductors and music educators discussing philosophical issues centered around the Wind Band profession. As I opened the book a few weeks ago, I immed ..read more

December 21, 2021 by Aaron Noe I sent this letter to my students and band families this morning. I thought I would share it with you. I hope everyone takes time during this holiday season to find activities the refresh mind, body, and spirit. Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas! I want to take a moment to wish all of our band members and band family a very Merry Christmas and to all of my students who may be celebrating another holiday this season, I want to wish you and your family joy and peace in your celebrations. Last week was an amazing week. I heard so many compliments on your pe ..read more

No one can deny Leroy Anderson’s contribution to not only the band community but to the world. His music has delighted millions over the past 80 years, however, this time of year we are especially reminded how significant his contribution was to the American fabric. Over the first few weeks of December, bands around the world will be performing one or both of Anderson’s most popular compositions, Sleigh Ride and A Christmas Festival. As you program his music this season, here are some fun facts to share with your students and audiences. Sleigh Ride was composed during a heat wave! In a PBS in ..read more

by Aaron Noe The end of the 19th Century proved to be a pivotal moment for the United States. The Industrial Revolution brought many advancements to our society. Industry, new technologies and a transcontinental railway catapulted the nation into world recognition as a leader in the 20th Century. However, through the words and images of journalists like Jacob Riis, Ida B. Wells, and Upton Sinclair, we know that the progress we made came at cost. The industrial moguls of the 19th Century built their empires on the backs of the men and women struggling to support their families. Concepts such a ..read more

The New Year is a time when most people look at where they are and make plans for the future. This is an important step in developing a strong program; however, it is also an opportunity to renew your personal passion for your band and your professional experience. Here are some tips for Setting Goals in the Wind Band Classroom: Tip #1: Evaluate Your Program Get out a sheet of paper and make two columns: Strengths & Weaknesses In the strengths column list all of the things your band does well. Identify key musicians and sections that stand out in the program. This is an important part of ..read more

The 2020-21 School Year gave music programs (bands in particular!) one of the biggest challenges we have faced as a community. As we are moving into the 2021-22 School Year, many band directors are picking up the pieces left behind in the wake and trying to develop strategies to rebuild and reignite their programs. Facing the challenges of having to rebuild a program can seem daunting. Mourning the impact of the pandemic within in the band community is a natural stage. However, we must take steps to rebuild our music programs. We know that what the band room has to offer is exactly what stude ..read more

For close to 40 years, the Dallas Winds under the direction of Jerry Junkin has brought the joy of music to countless students, Directors, and enthusiasts. Time and again with performances, recordings, and YouTube videos they have proved to be an integral part of the wind band community. Their performance last night proved why they are poised to be one of the most influential Ensembles of the new millennium. The concert opened with a powerful fanfare by Strauss. The impact was felt by the audience. For many it was the first time they heard in person the sounds we have grown to love through re ..read more

Last night, I had the pleasure of speaking with Alfred Watkins, retired band director of the famed Lassiter High School Band. Under his direction, the Lassiter Band became a nationally recognized program of excellence receiving four invitations to the Midwest Clinic, six performances at the BOA National Concert Band Festival, two Grand Championships at BOA, four appearances in the Tournament of Roses Parades and three appearances in the NYC Macy's Day Parade. Anyone of those accomplishments would be a highlight of any band director's career. However, over the course of three and a half decade ..read more