AS 524 : Reinvent
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In this episode we talk about a few of the ways we are looking to reinvent our band program to preserve some of what we have learned in 2020.
AS 522 : Unknown
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In this episode we talk to Brian Balmages about his new piece (our Midwest commission) “Unknown”.
AS 521 : The Good, The Bad, and The Runny
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In this episode we talk about some of the great things happening in our program, some of the stinky, and other nonsense.
AS 520 : For the Young Teachers
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In this episode we talk about things to focus on if you are still in college or early in your teaching career that will benefit your band hall.
AS 519 : Solo Contest + Snowpacalypse
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In this episode we verbal vomit about the craziness of our Texas snow storm plus brainstorm about solo contest.
AS 518 : Ear Training
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In this episode we talk anecdotally about the lack of ear training we are discovering through online band.
AS 517 : Mixed Classes – In-Person & Virtual
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In this episode we talk about some of the strategies we use to keep a healthy pace in our classes with students divided across homes and the band hall.
AS 516 : Plan It Out
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In this episode (that feels a little more old school) we talk through scheduling and things that need to be on our to-do list for the next couple of weeks with our beginners.
AS 515 : Soul – A Review
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In this episode we discuss and review the movie Soul through the lens of a public educator and band director.
AS 514 : #63 – New Directions
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In this episode we revisit goals we set at the beginning of 2020 and were reality diverted our efforts.
AS 513 : All These Feelings
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In this episode we cover all things from work relationships to dirty recordings of Sleigh Ride and at least 3 other topics in between.
AS 512 : Palpatine vs. Dead Wookie
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In this episode we talk about observations we have made during a semester virtually void of competition and the impact it has on our program, our students, and us as directors.
AS 511 : Balancing Virtual & In-Person
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In this episode we eventually talk about balancing, engaging, and creating a band culture when our kids are split over virtual and in-person settings. We also talk about a lot of other random stuff because #2020.
AS 510 : Stress
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Election. Covid. Online school. Block schedule. Children. 2020. We’re tired.
AS 509 : Covid Beginners
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In this episode we talk about where our beginners are, along with surprises and disappointments through this all. SPOILER ALERT: Some of the kids are doing really well, and some of them aren’t.
AS 508 : Work/Life Boundaries
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In this episode we re-readdress the need for an off switch within not only the band profession but within education as a whole. Teaching in the COVID era has magnified the problems of public education as well a brought a new onslaught of issues to navigate.
THAT DOES NOT GIVE US PERMISSION TO BECOME MARTYRS FOR THE JOB.
Darcy, Jenna, and TJ discuss their concerns for teachers in general, not just band directors.
AS 507 : Reflective Teaching
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In this episode we talk about the importance of going with the flow this year and changing directions (and mindset) as needed.
Huge shout out to all the composers actively cranking out flex pieces. You have made our job doable in a year when everything seems harder than necessary.
AS 506 : The Episode with a Decent Message but the Worst Audio in America
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No seriously… There might be some good information in this episode, but this is the last time we do a dad gum episode over Zoom. You are going to feel like you are IN Jenna’s mouth or at the very least sitting on her upper lip. TJ’s is audio okay, and Darcy’s microphone (despite being on with levels checked ahead of time) RECORDED NOTHING! Zero things. I Levelated the crud out of this episode to make it palatable (not enjoyable, just lightly tolerable), but it is comically bad. In fact, the only reason I bothered to post it is because it is SO bad it made me giggle a little after I stopped cussing, and I have cussed enough for several weeks in the span of about an hour.
Also, second forewarning of the episode: I was so ticked I didn’t even both to edit it. Seriously. Curious what a completely unedited recording sounds like? Well, you’ll only hear 72% of it, but there is way too much that should have been on the cutting room floor, TJ’s potty mouth, and Jenna’s kids drawing actual blood… for real.
Sorry folks.
AS 505 : Welcome Back 7th Graders!
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In this episode we talk about welcoming back out 7th graders and crappy internet.
AS 504 – The One that was Supposed to be Named Something Funny but I Forgot What
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In this episode we talk about quick easy fixes, botox, and Luigi pants.
AS 503 : Look for the Small Things
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In this episode we talk about our first week back with in-person AND virtual students.
AS 502 : Motivation When We Can’t Rely on Region Band
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In this episode we talk about motivation when some of our traditional methods look different.
AS 500 : So This is School…
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In our first episode of the Covid Season, we talk about our first week back “at school.”
AS 424 : What We Have Learned During Distance Learning
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In this episode we talk about all we have learned during distance learning… just in case.
AS 423 : MS to HS Band with Chris Meredith and chris yee
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In this episode Darcy interviews Chris Meredith and Chris Yee about transitioning from a successful MS band career to HS.
AS 422 : Band Placement Questionnaire
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In this episode we talk about the questionnaire we are using to place our beginners.
AS 421 : Instrument Cleaning and Placement
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In this episode we speculate as to how we plan to handle instrument cleaning and placement… thought in another week or two who knows what plan the Universe will require.
AS 420 : The Implications of Distance Learning on HS Band
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In this episode Chris Yee of Cedar Park HS talks about how distance learning is affecting high school band.
Darcy, Jenna, and TJ talk about what is going well this week.
AS 419 : Online Learning
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In this episode we talk about lots of thing… mostly pertaining to this thing called “online learning”.
AS 418 : Working From Home
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In this episode we talk about working from home with kids and what wheels we have set in motion for at home learning.
AS 417 : STAY the F Home
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In this, our first Zoom episode, we talk about how social distancing is affecting band and US.
AS 416 – TJ’s First UIL & Darcy Records for Midwest
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In this episode we recap the week TJ went to UIL for the first time and Darcy recorded for Midwest.
AS 415 : Enneagram Revisited
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In this episode we revisit the popular enneagram personality test.
In this conversation we reference the test you can find at https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test. We opted for the paid results option, which I would recommend for anyone taking the test for the first time. You can find other enneagram information at https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/.
Spoiler: Darcy 3w4, Jenna 3w2, TJ 7w8
This episode sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures.
AS 414 : 4th Anniversary + Beginner Splitting
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In this episode we livestream from our band hall office and then talk about the benefits of ability splitting beginners for EVERYONE.
AS 413 : Planning
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In this episode we talk through one of our planning meetings.
AS 412 : Melodianne Mallow
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In this episode Darcy interviews our mentor Melodianne Mallow.
AS 411 : Beginner Catch Up
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In this episode we talk about what our beginners are up to.
AS 410 : Good Human
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In this new year’s episode we talk about being good humans… as adults… to each other.
AS 409 : Gratitude from Midwest
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In this episode we talk about the people that have had a significant impact on our musical lives.
AS 408 : Critical Listening
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In this episode Darcy and Jenna talk about ways to listen critically to your band during a rehearsal.
AS 407 : Private Lessons
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In this episode we talk about the structure of our private lessons program, how to sell lessons to your community, priorities within the lessons, hiring lesson teachers, etc.
Note: While not all band programs are fortunate enough to have a private lessons program, this episode still covers topics like how to build a culture of WANTING lessons within your community and approaching the money talk with your parents.
AS 406 : Stress
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In this episode we talk about sources of stress.
AS 405 : Articulation
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In this episode we talk about articulation strategies.
AS 404 – Classroom Management 2
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AS 403 : Staph Development
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In this episode we talk about microphones and some of our changes for the year.
This episode is brought to you by Kaleidoscope Adventures. http://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com
AS 402 : Organization & Expectations
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In this episode we talk about ways we are organizing our band hall and setting expectations at the beginning of the year.
This episode is brought to you by Kaleidoscope Adventures. http://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com
AS 401 : Motivation for the New Year
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In the episode Darcy, Jenna, and TJ talk about some of their driving motivations for the year.
This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. http://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com
AS 400 : Happy New Year!
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In this episode Darcy and Jenna introduce TJ and talk TMEA Honor Band and the new year.
AS 315 : Upholders
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This episode is the audio from our Facebook Livestream on Upholders.
AS 314 – What’s It All About?
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In this episode, Darcy and Jenna talk about any number of musings reflecting another year completed and the bigger idea of what the whole point of band might be.
AS 313 – Tuners Revisited
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In this episode, Darcy and Jenna revisit many of your questions concerning what tuners we use, why we prefer those, how we utilize them in 6-8 band, and why we think they are important to our pedagogy.
AS 312 : Giving Clinics
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In this episode, Darcy and Jenna talk about they recent Honor Clinic in North Carolina.
AS 311 : Contest Ratings
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In this episode Darcy and Jenna revisit the combined sax/trumpet class and then talk about all things contest ratings.
AS 310 : Balance Revisited
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In this episode Darcy and Jenna revisit the past topic of balance and what that looks like in reality.
AS 309 – As a Woman…
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In this episode Darcy and Jenna talk about being a woman in our profession. Spoiler… Chicks are strong.
AS 308 : Mentors
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In this episode Darcy and Jenna talk about the impact mentors can have on your career and choosing wisely.
AS 307 : Fight Me – Sight Reading
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In this episode we talk about sight reading, particularly when utilized in a contest.
A caveat before you listen: we are purposely playing devil’s advocate with this topic.
AS 306 : Making 8th Graders Love Band
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In this episode we talk about some of the above and beyond activities that help our 8th graders love band.
AS 305 : Success Without Self-Sacrifice – Work/Home Life Balance
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This is the audio from our TBA clinic entitled Success Without Self-Sacrifice.
AS304 : Enneagrams!
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In this episode Darcy, Jenna, and Alex take and discuss the Enneagram Personality Test.
Darcy’s Top 3
- Achiever
- Challenger
- Reformer
- and at the very bottom… Peacemaker
Jenna’s Top 3
- Achiever
- Helper
- Loyalist
- and at the very bottom… Individualist
Alex’s Top 3
- Enthusiast
- Achiever
- Helper
- and at the very bottom…
AS 303 : Goals for the Year
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In this episode we talk about our goals for the year and soggy pancakes.
AS 302 : Our First Year
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In this episode we talk about our first years teaching.
AS 301 – Student Teaching
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In this episode Robert Herrings talks with Darcy about how to maximize your student teaching experience.
AS 220 : Guess Who’s Back
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In our last official episode of season 3, Darcy comes back for band auditions and talks about how the semester went with her on maternity leave.
AS 219 : Using the Beginner Book
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In this episode we talk about how we utilize the beginner book in our classes.
AS 218 : Concert F
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We dedicate this episode to the almighty Concert F.
AS 217 : Solo and Ensemble – What is the Point
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In this episode we talk about the point of solo and ensemble and considerations for choosing literature.
AS 216 – How to Be “Mean”
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In this episode we talk about what MUST be in place first before you can be “mean” plus Alex’s UIL recap.
AS 215 – Handling the Unprepared
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In this episode we talk about how to handle unprepared students.
AS 214 : Beginner Fundamentals Timeline
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In this episode we talk about what beginner fundamentals we are focusing on this semester and planning when to approach them with each of our classes.
Fundamentals to be addressed:
- scales
- dynamics
- staccato
- legato
- vibrato
- tuning
- trombone slurs
- Remingtons
- enharmonics
- new rule (stagger breathing)
- range extension
- recognizing keys
- 2 count breaths
AS 213 : While We’re at TMEA…
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In this episode we talk about things you can do with your band classes while you are gone to things like TMEA.
AS 212 : Personal Goals
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In this NON-BAND episode we talk about the importance of setting personal goals in addition to those for your band.
AS 211 – Change of Course
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In this episode we talk about recognizing the need for and implementing a change of course.
AS 210 : Non-Varsity Band Culture & Literacy
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In this episode we talk discuss creating a healthy non-varsity band culture and easy tips for literacy.
AS 208 : Best Practices
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In this episode we talk about some easy tools you can instantly employ in your own band hall.
AS 207 : New Music
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In this episode we talk frustrations, new music, rewrites, and BERPing.
AS 206 : Do’s and Don’ts From the Podium
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In this episode we talk about some of the specific do’s and don’ts of the band hall. Much of this episode is about how you present yourself to the kids.
AS 205 : Revamping Objective Sheets
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In this episode, Jenna and Darcy talk about the revamped objective sheets for the 2nd six weeks.
AS 204 : SLOW is the word
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Slow is the only word we can accurately use to describe the pace of our beginner classes currently. And that’s okay.
AS 203 : So, it’s NOT working…
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In this episode, we talk about one of our major program overhauls that is NOT working…
AS 202 – Go the F Home!
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In this episode we talk about reclaiming your personal time!!!
AS 201 : The First Week Back
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In this episode we (very tiredly) talk about the first week of school.
AS 200 : The Answer Your Questions Episode
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In our first episode of season 3, we answer your listener questions.
AS 137 : Teaching Rhythm Logically
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This episode is a podcast edition of our 2016 TMEA clinic entitled “Teaching Rhythm Logically”. If you are interested in this method of teaching rhythm, you can find out more at TeachingRhythmLogically.com.
AS 136 : The End of Year Episode
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In this episode, Darcy, Jenna, and Alex wrap up the year with their greatest failures and successes from 2016-2017.
AS 135 : Interviews
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In this episode, Robert Herrings and Jason Robb join Darcy ask they talk about interviews.
Know a band director getting ready to interview? Take 2 seconds to share this episode!
AS 134 : Solo & Ensemble
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In this episode we talk about solo and ensemble, rubrics for scoring, and the personal criticism each of us has received that has left a lasting impression on our careers.
AS 133 – Major vs Minor
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In this episode Darcy talks about how she teaches the concept of major vs. minor to the beginner classes ready to handle that concept, and then the ranting begins.
AS 132 – Instrument Placement
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By popular request, we talk about how we design our beginner instrument placement. In this episode we cover:
- selling our program
- parent contact
- physical set up
- our process
- assigning instruments
- creating a balanced beginner program
Below are the files we discuss in the episode.
AS 131 : John and Darcy Talk UIL
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In this episode John and Darcy talk about Honors Band’s performance at UIL Concert & Sightreading from a backstage perspective.
AS 130 : Overly Committed
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In this episode we talk about kids that are too involved to be in band… or stay in band.
If you enjoy our podcast, take 2 seconds to share it with a friend or 15 seconds to review us on iTunes… Okay maybe a solid minute for the review. Your word of mouth helps band directors like you find our voice with which to commiserate, learn, and just relax.
Thank you for sharing your car, band hall, and earbuds with us. #trypod
AS 129 – Tuner Work
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In this episode we talk about sight-reading nerves, The Power of Vulnerability, and how we are using tuners in our classes on a daily basis.
AS 128 : Trombone Euphonium Sectionals
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This episode of After Sectionals takes you into one of Darcy’s Honors trombone/euphonium sectionals.
AS 127 : Planning
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In this episode, we take a few minutes to rant… and THEN we talk about how we plan for the week ahead with beginners and our band.
A picture of Darcy’s “List that Leads to Life” can be found on the After Sectionals Facebook page.
AS 126 : This Time of Year…
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In this episode, Darcy and Jenna talk about the frustrations that come with “this time of year” and techniques they are using to clean their bands.
AS 125 : An Interview with SaulPaul
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In this episode we interview musician and motivational speaker SaulPaul. You can find out more about him at his website SaulPaul.com.
For information about the music careers expo, visit http://musiccareerexpo.wordpress.com
AS 124 : Success Through Accountability
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This episode is a recording of our TMEA 2017 clinic entitled Success Through Accountability. We talk about specific methods we use to approach accountability with our own kids and how individual skill leads to program success. You can find the YouTube video from the actual presentation below.
Beginning Band Band Entry Checklist
AS 123 : Flute Class Jan 2017
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This episode is another direct window into Darcy’s flute/double reed class from January 2017. This class works:
- flexibility
- scales
- changing vibrato
- staccato
AS 122 : Chicken Day
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In this episode we finally answer the often asked question about the chicken.
AS 121 : Choosing Music for Your Band
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In this episode Alex, Jenna, and Darcy talk about what factors they consider as they choose music for their bands during contest season.
Concert Band
- Lexington March
- Colliding Visions
- Pinnacle
Symphonic Band
- Rough Riders
- In a French Garden
- Into the Arctic
Honors Band
- Quality Plus
- Spoon River
- Summer Dances