I recently sat down for the Beginning Band Director Podcast. In fact, it’s a conversation with John Denis, Assistant Professor of Music Education at Texas State University. Watch the video above, then read on for more about who John is, what the podcast covers, and what you’ll hear in Part 1.
John has a real passion for helping young teachers succeed. As a result, he mentors some of the brightest young students entering the teaching profession, and he’s also taken to the podcasting community to reach a wider audience.
“Program Notes: The Beginning Band Director Podcast” isn’t just for directors of the beginning band (6th grade). It isn’t purely for teachers new to the profession either. Instead, his podcast is full of thoughtful interviews on a wide range of subjects. In fact, any one of them might be exactly what you need to climb over whatever teaching “wall” is currently in front of you.
About the Beginning Band Director Podcast
Program Notes: The Beginning Band Director Podcast has a clear mission. Specifically, it helps pre-service and in-service band directors find success in their own classrooms. That’s exactly why the name is a little misleading, in the best way. The show goes well beyond 6th grade beginning band or teachers fresh out of college. Instead, any director looking for a practical idea, or a new way to think about a familiar problem, will find something useful here.
You can browse the full catalog of episodes at Program Notes: The Band Director Podcast. Over time, John has built a genuinely useful library for music educators at every stage.
Who Is John Denis?
John Denis teaches upper-level music education courses at the Texas State University School of Music. Alongside that, he keeps up his own scholarly work and conference presentations. He holds degrees in music education from Texas Tech University and the University of North Texas, and he’s presented at events including the Midwest Clinic and the ISME World Conference.
You can read more about his background on his Texas State University faculty page. What comes through most in talking with him, though, is the mentoring. Above all, he genuinely cares about setting up the next generation of directors to succeed, and that care shows in both his classroom and his podcast.
What We Cover in Part 1
In Part 1 of this multi-part podcast from 2018, John and I cover a few topics. That includes the basics of how to learn drill, and creating an environment where your students are willing to take risks for the sake of their own improvement. We also wander into a few good side topics and “rabbit trails.”
Drill instruction is a topic worth going deeper on. If you want more, I’ve written up 4 essential tips for teaching marching band drill like a pro. Also, the idea of building a rehearsal culture where students are willing to fail in front of each other, in order to grow, ties directly into how a growth mindset transforms marching band shows. In short, it’s a subject John and I both clearly care about.
Why This Conversation Matters
John’s whole approach to teaching is built around mentorship. In fact, that’s a theme I come back to often in my own writing as well. If you found value in building better bands through personal leadership, you’ll like this one too, since this conversation covers a lot of the same ground, from a music-education-researcher’s perspective instead of a band director’s.
This isn’t the first time I’ve talked shop on a podcast either. If you enjoy this side of my work, you might also like the story behind my career as a composer.
Listen to Part 1
I had a great time chatting with John, and I hope you’ll have a good time listening in. Watch the embedded video above to hear the full conversation, and keep an eye out for Part 2.
FAQs About the Beginning Band Director Podcast
Who is John Denis?
John Denis is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Texas State University. He teaches upper-level music education courses, mentors young teachers, and hosts Program Notes: The Beginning Band Director Podcast.
What is Program Notes: The Beginning Band Director Podcast?
It’s a podcast that helps pre-service and in-service band directors find success in their own classrooms. Despite the name, it reaches well beyond teachers of 6th grade beginning band or those brand new to the profession.
What topics does Part 1 cover?
The basics of how to learn drill, and how to build a rehearsal environment where students are willing to take risks for their own improvement. Plus a few good side conversations.
Is this a multi-part series?
Yes. I recorded this conversation with John Denis in 2018, and Part 1 is the first installment of a multi-part discussion.
Who is this podcast for?
Any band director, not just those teaching beginning band or brand new to the classroom. John’s episodes cover a wide range of subjects relevant at every career stage.
About Evan VanDoren
Evan VanDoren is a composer, arranger, conductor, and former high school band director. Ensembles across the United States and beyond perform his music. In addition, he works with band programs to create music and marching band productions that highlight the strengths of their students and programs.
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