Mark J. Connor is a composer, conductor, and educator whose main focus is writing for concert band, with works appearing on several state lists. His band music has enjoyed performances at several state music educator conferences, including TMEA, and his music is published by RWS Music Company, Grand Mesa Music, and Alry Publications. ​

He also hosts an amazing podcast (Everything Band). Join us for our discussion about his perspectives in going back into the band directing world.

The final part of our series with Brad and Misty Smith regarding getting off to a great start with your middle school students. I hope this has been a helpful series and that your year gets off to a fantastic start!

Join Brad and Misty Smith for Part 2 of our discussion of starting off the year successfully. This episode we digress into classroom management and the importance of communication.

Join Brad and Misty Smith, two amazing directors I’ve worked with off and on for years, as we all chat about how to get your year off to a great start.

Part 2 of my discussion with Erin Cole about challenges and solutions for heterogeneous beginner instruction. Erin was the band director at Tapp Middle School in Cobb County, Georgia from 1995-2017 and was named “Teacher of the Year” in 2016. Her bands have had a national reputation for excellence, and she is currently a Conn-Selmer Senior Educational Consultant.

Join us as Erin Cole and I discuss challenges and solutions for heterogeneous beginner instruction. Erin was the band director at Tapp Middle School in Cobb County, Georgia from 1995-2017 and was named “Teacher of the Year” in 2016. Her bands have had a national reputation for excellence, and she is currently a Conn-Selmer Senior Educational Consultant.

This episode is a live recording of a clinic presented by Dr. Marta Frey-Clark and myself at TMEA 2019. In this presentation we discuss both general theories underlying recruitment and retention as well as specific strategies to help directors grow their programs.

I’ve included the handout below:

This episode is a live recording of a clinic presented by Dr. Marta Frey-Clark and myself at TMEA 2019. In this presentation we discuss both general theories underlying recruitment and retention as well as specific strategies to help directors grow their programs.

I’ve included a pdf of the slides from this presentation below:

Part 2 of our series with the incomparable Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser talking about becoming a successful band director. Dr. Tim is well known in music education for his expertise and uplifting attitude, and has been involved in a variety of successful publications, programs, and schools during his storied career.

On this series we have the incomparable Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser to talk about becoming a successful band director. Dr. Tim is well known in music education for his expertise and uplifting attitude, and has been involved in a variety of successful publications, programs, and schools during his storied career.