The 5 Enemies of Greatness in Every Marching Band Program
Marching band shows are more than halftime entertainment or competition performances. They're the heartbeat of a program, where students learn discipline, teamwork, and resilience in a way that carries far beyond the field. Legendary football coach Nick Saban...
The Qualities of an Impactful Music Teacher, Explained
Music education does more than teach students to play an instrument. It improves learning outcomes and creates a positive classroom atmosphere. Active engagement with music strengthens language perception and communication skills, which support success across every...
Marching Band Contest Results: October 10, 2026
Saturday was a big day for the bands playing my shows. Three Bands of America regionals ran in Texas on October 10, and Argyle came out of Prosper with the Class AAA title plus the AAA Music and General Effect awards. Long Creek won Class AA at BOA Central Texas,...
Marching Band Show Reviews From 136+ Band Directors
136+ five-star marching band show reviews. Custom marching band shows, delivered on time, stress-free, and written for student success. The Sound of Trust Every fall, directors everywhere face one big question: What show are we going to do this year? It's...
Marching Band Contest Results: Midweek Update, October 8, 2026
This is a midweek round of marching band contest results for the bands performing my shows this fall. UIL region season has started, and Clear Lake was one of the first of my bands through it, with straight 1s on Thursday night. Two more bands sent me first-place...
Winter Concert Coming Up? Start With These Pieces
With the winter season fast approaching, it's time to start thinking about new music selections for your concert band. Winter concerts are a wonderful opportunity for music directors to showcase the skills and talents of their musicians. If you're on the hunt for some...
Two New Works Selected for the 2026-27 Bandworld Top 100
Two of my newest concert band pieces made the 2026-27 Bandworld Top 100. One is Inspirare, an original work. The other is my new setting of Richard Strauss's Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare. RWS Music Company publishes both. Directors' reading bands will sight-read them...
Marching Band Contest Results: October 3, 2026 Recap
A stormy Saturday with a lot to celebrate Updated October 8, 2026: added Panther Creek, Hondo, Fossil Ridge, North Forney, Decatur, Cicero-North Syracuse, West Seneca, Brookland, Del Norte and Norman North, and moved the results into lists so they read better on...
Marching Band Show FAQ: What Directors Ask Before We Work Together
Most directors ask me the same questions after our first conversation, so I wrote down the answers. Jump to the section you need, and if something isn't covered here, email me at evanvandoren@gmail.com. Sections: Fit and expectations | The music and adaptation | Cost...
Marching Band Season Burnout: Finding Meaning in October
Somewhere between the final design tweaks and the first big contest weekend, October sneaks up on you, and marching band season burnout starts creeping in before you notice it. The weeks get shorter, the rehearsals longer, and every director you talk to sounds the...
5 Rehearsal Habits That Build Real Student Ownership of Your Show
Directors spend a lot of energy picking the right concept, assuming the theme itself will make students care. I used to think that way too. But I have watched an emotionally rich concept fall flat because of how staff introduced it. I have watched a fairly plain...
Marching Band Contest Results: September 26, 2026 Recap
A Saturday of class titles from Arizona to North Carolina Updated October 8, 2026: added Chapin, Blythewood, Rio Rancho, Grand Junction, Mansfield Legacy, Mansfield Summit and Hondo, and moved the results into lists so they read better on phones. These are the...