Alan and Steve talk with choreographer and movement educator Michael Rosales (Carolina Crown, Bluecoats, Santa Clara Vanguard, The Breakdown Camp) about why every student—and every director—can move with confidence. They explore how to use simple, safe movement to teach rhythm and expression, how band and choir directors can lead movement without being “dance people,” and concrete ways … Read more
Steve and Alan take on a touchy but important topic: the gap between what we ask from students and what we actually model ourselves. They admit their own everyday hypocrisies (hello, phones at stoplights and slow email replies) and then connect it to the music room: punctuality, effort, communication, reflection, and how we respond when … Read more
Composer, bandleader, and educator Russ Gershon (Either/Orchestra) joins us to explore how music becomes a window into history, geography, and human connection. Russ shares how he uses songs like “Proud Mary” with K–4 students to teach rivers, steamboats, and timelines; how storytelling and context make improvisation less scary for teens; and what Ethiopian modes and rhythms can offer our … Read more
Steve and Alan take on the bad reputation of “flex” music and make the case for using flexible-instrumentation charts as a musical tool, not a last-resort compromise. They compare band culture to choir and orchestra traditions, talk honestly about attention spans and rehearsal efficiency, and explain how fewer parts can actually mean more learning and … Read more