This Is Why This Site Exists

Emails like this are the reason this site exists. I am an 11-year high school English teaching veteran in the Los Angeles area. Most of my teaching was done in the trenches of suburban, low-SES “nay-bah-HOODS” and the fringes of, um, gangsta lands. (I teach English … go figure.) I’ve had my share of awesome … Read more

Father’s Day Recommendations

This Sunday is Father’s Day. It’s not too late to buy that last-minute gift if you haven’t already. I read at least four books this school year that were amazing. If your father reads and thinks, these would be ideal. 🙂 I read some others, but some of them were music education related, and others … Read more

10 TEDTalks of Music Education Greatness [VIDEO]

One of the greatest parts of being a band director is that what I do really matters. Beyond the students acquiring a skill of playing an instrument or working together as a team, there is this aesthetic element of education in the arts that is just absent in most every other line of education. I’m … Read more

The Evolution of Marching – 2005-2009 [VIDEO]

As we close out the school year and begin looking toward the summer, band directors turn their minds toward marching arts. This year, I’m going through some history and exploring The Evolution of Marching via YouTube. I’m taking you along for the journey as well. Now we come to the most modern marching shows available. … Read more

The Evolution of Marching – 1999-2004 [VIDEO]

As we close out the school year and begin looking toward the summer, band directors turn their minds toward marching arts. This year, I’m going through some history and exploring The Evolution of Marching via YouTube. I’m taking you along for the journey as well. As we moved into the new millennium, the color guard … Read more

The Evolution of Marching – 1994-1998 [VIDEO]

As we close out the school year and begin looking toward the summer, band directors turn their minds toward marching arts. This year, I’m going through some history and exploring The Evolution of Marching via YouTube. I’m taking you along for the journey as well. As music selections moved away from the more traditional Broadway … Read more