Wind Conductor

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.

As band directors, we juggle a lot. Rehearsals, lesson plans, concerts, competitions… it’s enough to keep anyone busy. But one of the...