OUCH! Don't Use THAT For Emergencies
OUCH! Don't Use THAT For Emergencies by Jessica Losey Repair Technician, PMC St. Louis When emergencies arise, directors sometimes have to improvise. When you find yourself in that situation and n...
The Euphonium is Not Just for the Transfer Portal
The Euphonium is Not Just for the Transfer Portal by Jim Maxwell Educational Representative, PMC Wichita I'm sure most of us have done this at least once in our career...move a trumpet player (or ...
In Tone, In Tune, In Time by Cassie Rice Educational Representative, PMC St. Louis You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems. Your goal is your desired outc...
Congratulations On Your New Job! Now What?
Congratulations On Your New Job! Now What? by Rob Goade Educational Representative, PMC Liberty The spring has seen a lot of changes in my area. Lots of new directors will be taking the podium thi...
Collaboration is Key! Public schools are a great place to form collaborative bonds with people from other departments. You may be surprised by the wealth of knowledge that's available to you if...
Fixing Road Map Problems With Color
Fixing Road Map Problems With Color by Samantha Stevens Band Director, Independence (MO) Â Are you frustrated teaching D.S. and D.C. al Coda? No matter how many times you tell students to "mark you...
Feel the Burn...Out! by Jessica Holtzscher PMC Overland Park I remember marching in parades in school. Our band would tackle every weekend marching festival like the warriors we were. We would com...
Creating the Best Opportunity at Festival
Creating the Best Opportunity at Festival by Bob Lee Educational Representative, PMC Wichita Many times when our groups traveled, we stressed that "We are on someone else's schedule" and that we n...
¡Viva Mariachi! by David Tourtellot Orchestra & Mariachi Director, East Trails Middle School This year I have taken on an exciting new challenge: I started a mariachi ensemble at my middle sch...
Why is Valve Alignment Important?
Why is Valve Alignment Important? by Corey Divine Repair Technician, PMC Springdale One topic that comes up in many of my conversations on general instrument maintenance is the importance of valve...
Whenever I travel to my smaller rural school districts, I am often amazed at the unique and creative things these directors do to promote their program within the framework of the school system. Sh...
The Importance of Staying Hydrated (Care & Feeding for a New Wooden Clarinet)
The Importance of Staying Hydrated (Care & Feeding for a New Wooden Clarinet) by Teresa Segress Educational Representative, PMC Broken Arrow  When it comes to caring for wooden clarinets, prob...
"Percussion Inventory Management Strategy: Embedding Healthy Habits Into Your Curriculum"
"Percussion Inventory Management Strategy: Embedding Healthy Habits Into Your Curriculum" by Ben Gervais Educational Representative, PMC Overland Park There are many aspects of a band program that...
"We Have a Concert Tomorrow?" by Susan Clothier Educational Representative, PMC Oklahoma City In a previous QuickNote article, I addressed the issue of staff communication. This time I'll focus on...
From Fundaments to Fluency: Flute Teaching for Non-Flutist Band Directors
From Fundamentals to Fluency: Flute Teaching for Non-Flutist Band Directors by Charlene Cannon Originally published in banddirectorstalkshop.com.  Merriam-Webster defines fluent as capable of movi...
Laying the Groundwork by Eric Matzat President, Palen Music Center Incredible! Another calendar year is history and now it is time to kick off the 2024 spring semester. The months ahead will be a ...
Navigating Supply Chain Issues and Price Increases
Navigating Supply Chain Issues and Price Increases by Austin Wilson PMC Regional School Service Manager Scenario One:Â You have reached out to your local PMC Educational Representative, and it is f...
Tips for a Successful Recruitment Season
Tips for a Successful Recruitment Season by Chris Koehn Director of Bands, Bartlesville HS Recruitment season? Already?? Many districts begin having students choose their classes as early as Febru...
Perspectives on Organizational Leadership and People Management
"I'll take the Leadership Meal Deal and a Large Slice of Humble Pie, Please" Perspectives on Organizational Leadership and People Management by Bradley Coker Director of Bands, Edmond North HS Cer...
Speak Musically: How to Add Musicality to your Ensemble Before Even Playing a Note
"Speak Musically!" How to Add Musicality to your Ensemble Before Even Playing a Note by Austin Jay Educational Representative, PMC Columbia I am a huge fan of and an active student of communicatio...
Fun & Productive Ideas to Try in your Bandroom
Fun & Productive Ideas to Try in your Bandroom by John Kelly Band Director, Branson Junior High Teaching Junior High/Middle school band requires finding the delicate balance of productivity an...
I Had No Idea! Did You Know? by Kale White Educational Representative, PMC Broken Arrow Am I the only person that didn't know makeup, sunscreen, and bug spray can damage an instrument? Through co...