How to Build a Culture That Lasts All Year

October 6th, 2025

How to Build a Culture That Lasts All Year

by Ben Todd

Educational Representative, Palen Music Center

Look at the Sunset: Small Reminders for Building Year-Long Culture

The culture we establish during marching season carries through the rest of the school year. The fall is when students experience the strongest sense of camaraderie, and for some programs, it may be the only time every student is working toward a shared goal. With that comes a valuable opportunity to shape a meaningful culture and set clear expectations for how we rehearse and learn together. As I’ve spoken with directors this fall about how their seasons are unfolding, I’ve found a few reminders worth sharing to help foster lasting success beyond just the marching season. I hope something here resonates with you.

Model the Energy You Want to See

An experienced director from the Kansas City metro-area recently said to me, “whenever we have a bad rehearsal, it’s almost always my fault. You get what you give.” That idea has stuck with me. As directors, we set a tone the moment we walk into rehearsal. Students mirror our energy, whether we’re tired, distracted, or enthusiastic. While it’s not realistic to be endlessly energetic, especially during back-to-back-to-back competition weeks, being intentional about the mindset we bring to rehearsal can make a significant difference in effectiveness and student morale.

Give the Gift of Time

A universal feeling among band directors is the desire for more time. Understandably, this want is often dissonant with demands on our personal life, a sacrifice we’re willing to make. However, I think it’s important that we remember that marching band isn't always the center of our students’ lives. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can offer them is the gift of time. Letting rehearsal out 30 minutes early or, when absolutely needed, canceling a rehearsal altogether, can provide a much-needed morale boost (as you’ve now become the favorite band director for giving procrastinators time to do homework, or let the perpetually tired get a needed nap). Many of our students juggle multiple extracurriculars, academic pressures, and personal responsibilities. A small gesture of time back can renew their motivation and deepen their long-term commitment to your program.

Create Traditions that Build Culture

Outside the realm of preparedness and pedagogy, traditions can be incredible at boosting morale mid-season. In Lebanon, Director Aaron Stewart has a tradition of reading the children’s book Pout-Pout Fish aloud to the band during a mid-season rehearsal, in late September.

He sits atop the drum major podium while students gather around him on the field. The book’s core message, that perspective shapes mindset, becomes a valuable teaching tool. This moment not only breaks up the routine of rehearsals but reinforces a shared culture of reflection, humor, and community. It has become one of the most memorable and anticipated moments of the season, with students responding enthusiastically year after year.

Pause for the Sunset

During my time in college marching band, our director, Jerry Hoover, would often pause rehearsal and say, “Look at that sunset, gang!” We’d all stop what we were doing and turn to admire the sky. It was such a simple gesture but one that brought us all into the same moment. His excitement wasn’t performative, he genuinely wanted us to experience that joy with him. Years later, “look at that sunset” is still a phrase alumni use fondly when reminiscing about our time in the band. The lesson is clear: small moments of connection, joy, and mindfulness stick with students. They foster belonging, build morale, and remind us all that the journey is just as important as the product.

At the end of the day, marching band is about much more than the final run at state or the scores on a sheet. It’s about creating a space where students feel valued, challenged, supported, and inspired. The little things we do, the energy we bring, the moments we share, the flexibility we offer, all make a lasting difference. As the season marches into Band-Tober, I hope you find time to breathe, reflect, and enjoy the incredible work you're doing. Your impact goes far beyond what you see on the field!

Ben Todd

Educational Representative

How to Build a Culture That Lasts All Year

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