Hey Band Dads: We are outgrowing band in Jupiter, FL. Happy to report we have grown from 90ish students 4 years ago to around 135 (who knows what number you will really be by finals ha,ha) We have an amazing band director who has really helped bring a great culture for our band and makes it a place kids want to join. But with that comes A LOT of operations to support this program (from parents as you know) I am currently the lead band parent and have helped ot put in some really operational efficiencies and restructured to help run a growing large band - I would love to hear from the best ideas out there for parents - what do you do to help with some of the biggest challenges faced by band boosters/ band parents in general and what are creative ideas you have done to solve these problems...fundraising, parent participation (so it is not the same 5 people doing everything), etc. THX and I look forward ot listening to you next episode!

Hey guys. Love the podcast. You have talked about so many topics that need to be discussed and oftentimes get overlooked by busy band directors. You are sparking so many ideas of how to be engaged better with band parents. Keep up the great work. I'm a band director in Texas taking a year off teaching elementary music. Ramon

As a Basha band parent, I just wanted to say that Scott and Chris really are as awesome in person as they are on the podcast! They are a HUGE blessing both to our band family and to the band community as a whole. Thank you guys for standing in the gap and showing the world what an amazing place band can be!

hi band dads! I'm a band director in Canon City, CO and I am so grateful for you guys. Thank you for your insight

So enjoying your pod cast!! I’m a 74 year old grandma who was in band through high school graduation. My fondest memories are of band, my directors and the friends I met with every day Monday through Friday for 8 years. I’d go back in a heart beat. So because of my positive experience I told my girls they had to belong to some group in school. They both chose a musical instrument. One chose dance after a couple of years. So now I have grandkids and I know how important it is to be in some kind of a group. They will be your best friends in school. Our oldest daughter is divorced and her X is a poop 💩 for a Father. I knew these kiddos needed to belong to something. The oldest was on swim team. I was worried about our grandson and started buying him Life Is Good Drum shirts, maybe about 4. I talked about being in band and my childhood friend who was a drummer. Lo and behold he is a drummer in Basha Band. Boy has band changed! What a commitment from when myself and daughter were in band. Practices all the time. When would they even find the time to get in trouble. It keeps them occupied, they have a purpose, they have to be there for the rest of the kids. It is much more expensive than when I was in band, and the trips they take together-just wow!! I think he really enjoys it. Now if the Gilbert Goons just even had a band they would be busy practicing, not bullying and punching kids to death. My last grandson is a baseball player and his friends are from baseball. Granted I wish we could get him into swim club or something similar. If a

thank you, Scott for the way you handled this in the thoughtful discussion. I'm currently teaching in a very diverse school with a lot of high need high support students that are very difficult to have in my band class because they don't have the social controls that many of the"normal" band kids may have. Those kids get a lot of attention take a lot of time and are very high stress to have in class but I also know that it's worth it. It's worth it for that kid to be in my class for two or three years in middle school in the hopes that they make better choices in high school. I know the long-term effects of that kid playing a clarinet or trombone are far better than removing a kid because of behavior problems during rehearsal. You're talking in this episode helped reinforce that. I'm sharing this episode as well as episode two with a lot of social media in hopes that in the state of Indiana that can help me to political outcomes that we know band Orchestra and even cheerleading as you said can help with kids.

Great job on the most recent episode. I’ve never heard anyone cover the issues so well and keep it non-political! The band doesn’t need more kids.. more kids need band. Thanks again! Tonya, Harrisburg SD

ok Scott! Seriously I’m sleep deprived listening to this but when you said “40 sets of parents, 40 sets of eyes, loving your kid”. You got to me! 😭😭 and now here I am at work wiping away the tears mainly bc it’s true. When I volunteer I love those kids and I know when I’m not physically present there is someone else who is making sure my kid feels loved! -Kim Kakita

Hi Band Dads. Love the show! As a former band kid, but now a band parent, it really resonates. My question is how should you (or a band director) balance commitment to band with interest in other activities? We have had situations where students felt forced to choose one activity or another, and band has come out on the losing end more than once. That really hurts in a smaller band… In one case a director asked a student to choose band over an AP class, which as a parent is too far! If it helps for editorial purposes, feel free to paraphrase, as I’d love to get your take on it!

hey Band Dads. My name is Brian Hobbs. I found your pod and I’m catching up. I’m a brand new band director. I spent my early career as a music theatre professional, writing, arranging, and directing. I’ve decided to pivot to high school band and I could not be more at sea. No mentorship, no guidance, very little structure and I’ve been given the job of rebuilding a program decimated by bad teachers and the pandemic. It’s not an easy job. I’m preparing for my first band camp and marching season and all I can draw on is my own band experience (almost 30 years ago) and what I can find online. So I’m very eager to listen to your thoughts and experiences. Can’t wait to hear more. Btw, feel free to include any of this in a future pod. Maybe my band parents are listeners!

Here's vote for a video of Scott in Dinkles (not Vipers). Marching at a community park with a playground.

I remember very well the music from my high school marching band - Crown Imperial, Scotland the Brave, Garry Owen, Colonel Bogey, Imperial March (Star Wars). Using great music lats- smile. Band dad’s episode 8. The curriculum can be important.

Congrats on season 2, band dads! Appreciate your enlightening content.

thank you so much for this podcast. I did marching band in high school and got to march in the macys Thanksgiving day parade back in 1987. My daughter joined my alumni band in 2018 and my son is about to join next year. I had 2 years off in between after she graduated but I still hung around to help with uniforms and whatever else. You say so many things that are just on point!! I like hearing both your perspectives. One of the highlights of the fall is escorting the band onto the field at the home show as band alumni and now with my daughter! Love the show and happy to hear there will be a second season! I am in Western Connecticut and our band is IIA in US Bands. Less than 50 kids but our high school is over 3000 students. Any good recruitment ideas or culture ideas to get the middle school more involved? Thank you again!! Karey

Hey Band Dads. As another AZ band parent I have a question. The band my son is in is part of an AZ band that is putting less focus on competition and starting to put more focus on the art of marching and music. I grew up in AZ and did marching here also. This has been such an interesting take on marching band and we have seen the culture change drastically in the band and even how the school views the band. I’m curious on what your take is on the different band cultures around the country and how other parts of the country are starting to mimic more the college programs in doing multiple shows in a year. Thank you!!

Just listened to episode 4/5 loved it. I've been involved with our high school band going on 5 years now serving in various roles from logistics to props and currently booster president. I've been trying to find a better way to talk fees with parents, picked up some great tips thanks for the podcast! Band parent resources are few and far between lol.

the band dad podcast is FIRE!!!! Episode two was so important and Episode three was a master class! I send it out to my parents and hope that they're listening. Either way, I'm getting PLENTY from it as well. Matt G - Music Educator - New Jersey

"So thank you for doing this podcast.  I hope this encourages more Dad’s to get involved because I promise they won’t regret it when their kid is graduating and comes up and gives him a hug and tells him thank you.    I appreciate you both" Geis

Thank you!!! Just listened and LOVED it. I was crying at my desk. Band has a place for everyone and the BandFam that you build cannot be beat, for students and parents. So excited for the next episode, to share this with my entire team, and even recommend it to our incoming newbie parents. -Local booster VP and band mom for almost a decade, Tonya

Hello Band Dads! This is Kendra Mewhorter from Moore, Oklahoma and I am here for every syllable. Although I am not new to the band world I am in my first year as a band parent and I love your perspective on being a parent. Excellent job!