Welcome to the Band Director Boot Camp podcast, where productivity meets wellness for busy band directors. This is your dedicated space to find balance, inspiration, and practical strategies to elevate your music program without sacrificing your well-being.
As a band director, you know the intensity of juggling rehearsals, performances, and administrative duties. It’s easy to feel like you’re stuck on ...
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In this insightful episode of the Band Director Boot Camp Podcast, Lesley Moffat hosts Professor Stephanie Sanders, a seasoned music educator and advocate for women in band directing. The conversation delves into the challenges and triumphs of women in a predominantly male field, highlighting the importance of resilience, representation, and mentorship. Professor Sanders shares her personal journey, starting from her early inspiration by a female band director to her extensive career as the director of bands at Norfolk State University. She discusses overcoming stereotypes and misconceptions while promoting the importance of support networks and mentorship programs to uplift women in music education. This episode is a treasure trove of advice for navigating and succeeding in the world of band directing while fostering a supportive community.
In this episode of the Band Director Boot Camp Podcast, host Lesley Moffat welcomes Heather Hoefle, a retired music educator, composer, and clinician, to discuss her innovative resource, Together in Excellence. This platform is designed to support music teachers by providing accessible ensemble music that fosters student success and engagement. Heather shares her journey from facing challenges in finding suitable music for young musicians to creating compositions that cater to varying skill levels. The conversation covers the benefits of the ABC convertible format, strategies for engaging students, and the importance of having flexible music resources in diverse educational settings. Show Notes: Introduction to Heather Hoefle and her background in music education. Discussion on the development and impact of the Together in Excellence resource. Explanation of the ABC convertible format and its applications in music education. Insights into balancing career and personal life as a music educator and composer. Practical tips for music educators on student engagement and curriculum integration. Lesley shares her own experiences and the adjustments she has made in her teaching approach. Links reference in the episode: Heather's website Tradition of Excellence
In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat talks with Dr. Amy Bovin about the importance of building strong, supportive communities for women in music education. Dr. Bovin shares her personal experiences and the significance of mentorship, specifically highlighting the benefits of Women Band Directors International (WBDI). The discussion covers overcoming isolation, embracing girl power, and actionable steps for fostering supportive networks. Dr. Bovin’s journey from feeling out of place to leading initiatives that support female music educators is a powerful testament to the importance of community and mentorship in the field. Key Takeaways: The importance of finding and building a supportive community. Overcoming professional isolation through active participation in groups like WBDI. The role of mentorship in empowering women in music education. How to initiate and nurture supportive networks for personal and professional growth. The impact of having role models and mentors who resonate with one’s own experiences. Follow Amy at https://amybovin.com and you can follow the adventures of the kittens on Instagram @bapsandnaps. For anyone who taught high school band in any capacity between February 2020 and January 2025 and would like to participate in the survey, please see https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdC8aU0a32jydVESMs-qB7ySLIqcxILlNoVm5TDdBiawKovdQ/viewform?usp=sharing "Breaking the Silence: The Experience of Female Band Directors", a NAfME Webinar on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 7PM EDT.
In this engaging episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat teams up with Andrea Pelloquin, a former music educator turned attorney, to delve into the complex world of copyright laws relevant to music education. Andrea shares her journey from the music industry to law school, fueled by her passion to demystify copyright for educators. They discuss common scenarios where band directors might inadvertently infringe copyright, such as photocopying music or arranging pieces without permission, and offer practical advice on how to stay within legal boundaries. The conversation also covers digital rights, the impact of streaming performances, and how to access and utilize publisher resources legally. This episode is packed with vital information to help educators protect themselves and honor the creators of the music they love. Link to reference materials. Disclaimer: The content contained in this episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice in any way.
In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat sits down with middle school band director and tech enthusiast Keith Ozsvath to explore the transformative power of ChatGPT for busy music educators. Keith shares how he uses ChatGPT to streamline his professional life, from creating rubrics and program notes to designing innovative classroom tools. They discuss real-world applications of AI to save time, reduce stress, and enhance teaching, all while maintaining high standards of instruction. Lesley and Keith dive into practical tips, share success stories, and outline how AI can be like having a "band mom in your pocket." Whether you're curious about how ChatGPT can assist with parent communication, help plan meals after a long day, or even generate creative student activities, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help band directors focus more on what they love—teaching music. What You’ll Learn: How ChatGPT can save time by assisting with emails, rubrics, and lesson planning. Ways to personalize ChatGPT for your specific teaching needs. Innovative uses of ChatGPT, like creating practice logs, program notes, and more. How ChatGPT’s collaborative approach can spark creativity and reduce mental load. Practical prompts and tips to get started with ChatGPT today. Links Mentioned in the Episode: Keith Ozsvath’s website with resources for music educators Lesley’s free video tutorial: ChatGPT for Busy Band Directors on Chat GPT For Busy Band Directors: Introduction. The Band Director Buddy GPT – a specialized assistant pre-loaded with band-specific resources.