Wind Conductor

Summer needs to be a time of reset. Not just to reflect and plan new initiatives for the fall. But a reset for your own well-being. I want to encourage you to be intentional about your rest over the next few weeks.

A healthy band program is more than one performance. Take five minutes to reflect on musicianship, growth, community support, and school support.

by Aaron Noë End-of-Year for Band Directors The past couple of years have brought some significant transitions in my professional life as I moved from secondary teaching into college teaching. It has been a good and meaningful change, but it has also required me to rethink how I spend my time, where I focus my energy, and how I continue to serve the band director community through WindConductor.org. One of the biggest changes I noticed this year was my level of engagement wit

The end of the school year can feel like a whirlwind. Concerts, awards, inventory, uniforms, graduation, recruitment, and final paperwork all compete for your attention. By the time the last performance is over, many of us are ready to not think about band and start thinking about having a few days off.. However, before moving on, take a few moments to look back on the year. This small step will truly benefit you when you start planning the next school year.

by Aaron Noë Marches are often programmed as openers, closers, or lighter repertoire. In the spring, bands across the nation participate in MPA and State Festivals which require a march as a "warm-up." However, the concert march demands some of the most refined ensemble skills in the wind band idiom. Precision, balance, articulation, color, and style must align for a march to feel authentic and compelling. Strong performances come from intentional performance practice, not si

Fly fishing in a gentle stream... A metaphor?? by Aaron Noë I love to Fly Fish. A few years ago I was introduced to fly fishing by my brother-in-law. It wasn’t long before I was hooked (yeah… I went there.) There’s an artistry, a rhythm, and a pulse to fly fishing. The ideal cast lands the float line gracefully on the surface of the water with the fly gently whipping over the end with a slight ripple as the fly comes to rest on the water. If the rhythm or pulse of the cast

When you look at social media, it almost seems the culture of band directors is busyness. We read about directors moving from rehearsal to rehearsal, barely keeping up with email, juggling logistics from concert to concert. "Busyness" has almost become a badge of honor. Sharing how busy we are seems to be a sign of how great a job we are doing. However, as we scroll further, we see signs of burnout. We hear about trouble at home. Or worse, we hear about a talented band direct

Creating a long-term vision is the first step to truly transforming your band and leading them into the next phase of your band’s journey. Taking the time to develop a long-term vision, moves you from being reactive in your planning process to truly being proactive in the development of your program.

The holiday season brings a special energy to communities, making it a perfect time for band directors to connect with their audiences beyond the concert hall. This period offers many opportunities to showcase student talent while building lasting relationships with local residents, businesses, and organizations. Engaging your community during the holidays not only highlights the hard work of your band members but also strengthens support for your program.

No two bands are the same. And that’s a good thing! It’s easy to get into the comparison game especially after marching season as we begin to reflect on the successes and short comings of the fall season. Reflecting on the successes of other bands and other band directors can be a good thing… …until it isn’t.