The Band Dads Podcast
Band is more than music. It’s pressure, passion, leadership, chaos, life lessons, unforgettable moments… and a community unlike anything else.
The Band Dads Podcast pulls back the curtain on the world of marching band, concert band, music education, and the people who live it every day. Hosted by band dads — including a former band director bringing years of insider experience and perspective most parents never get access to — this podcast dives into the stories, challenges, victories, and culture that make band life so unique.
From rehearsals, competitions, road trips, fundraising, and late-nights in the band room to the decision-making, strategy, and behind-the-scenes realities of running a successful program, we explore the conversations happening both on and off the field. Leadership. Competition. Burnout. Growth. Success. Failure. Family. The emotional highs of performance and the hilarious realities nobody talks about enough.
Whether you’re a band kid, a proud parent, a music educator, or someone who simply loves hearing passionate people talk about the things that shape lives and build community, there’s something here for you.
New episodes feature honest discussions, interviews, deep dives into band culture, insider perspective, and plenty of humor along the way.
Because band isn’t just an activity. For many of us… it becomes part of who we are.
Contact us: feedback@banddadspodcast.com
https://www.banddadspodcast.com/
The Band Dads Podcast
Money Money Money
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Fundraising. Every band needs it, every parent has experienced it, and somebody somewhere is probably still trying to sell a roll of wrapping paper.
But before we talk about how to raise money, the Band Dads start with a bigger question: Why are band programs responsible for raising so much of it in the first place?
Scott and Chris are joined by Band Mom Leah Lang, fundraiser extraordinaire, for a conversation that starts with school funding, instruments, uniforms, and the basic costs of running a band program. What should schools be responsible for providing? And are band parents sometimes so good at filling the gaps that we've unintentionally made it easier for those gaps to remain?
Then it's time to make some money.
Leah takes us behind the scenes of a crowdsourced fundraising campaign that brings success year after year, and the Band Parents break down what made it work—from choosing the right platform and timing the campaign to branding, student participation, group goals, incentives, corporate matching, director buy-in, and creating an experience the kids actually want to be part of.
Because successful fundraising isn't just about asking people for money. It's about building a campaign people want to support.
And yes, there are pies in the face, shaved facial hair, car washes, mattresses, mulch, and apparently even manure involved along the way.
Whether you're a director, booster, or band parent trying to fund the next season, Money Money Money is packed with ideas to help you raise more, keep more, and maybe even have some fun doing it.
Have a crazy fundraiser that's actually worked? A brilliant incentive your students loved? Or a fundraising horror story we simply have to hear? Send it to feedback@banddadspodcast.com. We want to hear how your band makes the money happen.
The fundraising platform referenced in this episode is PledgeStar. There website is https://pledgestar.com/ . Feel free to email us is you are interested in using this platform as they do offer a referral discount for your group!
We want to here from you! Send us an email to: feedback@banddadspodcast.com
Check out these links to connect with us further!
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