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    Band Talk with Charlie Menghini and Friends

    Charlie Menghini visits with some of the greatest names in wind band conducting, composing and arranging. The podcast also features regular visits with Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, instrument specialists and music industry leaders as well as great college, high school, middle school and elementary band directors who give their thoughts on various aspects of being a band director.
    en64 Episodes

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    Episodes (64)

    Retired Col. Thomas Palmatier

    Retired Col. Thomas Palmatier

    Retired Colonel Thomas Palmatier shares what drew him to join the military and reflects on his more than 37 years in the United States Army where he served in a wide array of assignments including Leader and Commander of the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own."  Since retirement, Palmatier has kept very active and has recently been named Editor of School Band and Orchestra Magazine.

    Ted Piechocinski, Director of the Music Business Program, Indiana State University

    Ted Piechocinski, Director of the Music Business Program, Indiana State University

    It all started when his junior high school band director told his dad that he thought Ted would make a great band director.  Who knew that 50 plus years later he would have degrees in music education, music performance and law. With experience in the music industry, Ted Piechocinski is now director of one of the finest college music business programs in the nation and author of a comprehensive book:  The Music Industry - Where Creativity Meets Business.  

    Jay Bocook

    Jay Bocook
    With over 600 titles to his credit, Jay Bocook is one of America's finest and most trusted band composers and arrangers.  From his days as a student with the Largo (FL) Band of Gold to returning to his Alma Mater, Furman University as Director of Bands, Jay's story is one of hard work, discipline and determination.

    A Conversation with Paul Murtha

    A Conversation with Paul Murtha

    Paul Murtha served as Chief Arranger for "Pershing's Own," The United States Army Band from 2001 to 2016.  Today, he continues writing and has over 600 published works to his credit.  Since his first theory class with his high school band director, Paul Murtha shares an interesting journey that has led him to become a national treasure in the band arranging world.

    Mike Lawson, Publisher, SBO Magazine

    Mike Lawson, Publisher, SBO Magazine

    As a little kid, Mike Lawson loved to sing.  Then a friend's father changed his life by teaching him his first four guitar chords.  His love for music grew but he only had a limited path in traditional school music ensembles. Mike dropped out of high school and started playing in bands.  Today, as publisher of SBO, Jazz Ed, Choral Director and MME Magazines, Mike hopes to provide content to help teachers inspire students to succeed in music, school and life.

    George Hattendorf, Retired Director of Bands, Mountain Ridge High School, Phoenix, AZ

    George Hattendorf, Retired Director of Bands, Mountain Ridge High School, Phoenix, AZ

    George Hattendorf, retired director of bands at Mountain Ridge High School, Phoenix, AZ talks about his 47 plus year career and offers that band directors have two choices....stand on the sideline and complain or get involved and be a part of the change.  George chose the latter for all the right reasons and in doing so, offered his students lifetime experiences.  

    Greg Bimm, Director of Bands, Marian Catholic High School - Part 1

    Greg Bimm, Director of Bands, Marian Catholic High School - Part 1

    Greg Bimm is in his 44th year at Marian Catholic High School where he has developed a nationally recognized program.  In part one of this two part podcast, Greg talks about how his father laid the groundwork for his work ethic and commitment, the influence his high school band director had on him, how student teaching helped put things into perspective and how he has worked to develop the Marian Catholic Band program.  

    Dr. Andrew Chybowski

    Dr. Andrew Chybowski

    Dr. Andrew Chybowski, Director of Bands, Pittsburg State University (KS) had his career path set when, at his first elementary band concert, he got to wear sunglasses and the director had a fog machine and laser lights.  Today he works to balance pedagogy and artistry in his teaching and is intent to get students to realize they have a lot more creative control in the music making process.  Great thoughts from a rising star!

    Chris Behrens, Director of Bands, Beloit Memorial High School, WI

    Chris Behrens, Director of Bands, Beloit Memorial High School, WI

    "Music is more than playing in a band rehearsal every day."  During the pandemic, Chris and his music teacher colleagues created a series of four-week short courses students could take in addition to their ensembles to learn more about music. He also took an idea from one of his students and developed a summer jazz mentoring program.  Oh, and did I mention his jazz ensemble has received nine invitations to Wynton Marsalis' Essentially Ellington Festival in New York?  There's a lot to unpack during our conversation and it is a good one!

    Jim Yarnell, Band Director, American School, Hague, Netherlands

    Jim Yarnell, Band Director, American School, Hague, Netherlands

    This Indiana boy went to college and ended up teaching with his old high school band director, the legendary Al Castronovo in Chesterton, IN.  While there, Jim met his wife who was from the Netherlands and decided to relocate, becoming the band director at the American School in the Hague.  Jim looks back on a stellar career and his story highlights what it is like to teach band in such a culture-rich country like the Netherlands.

    Dr. Dan Belongia, Director of Bands, Arkansas Tech University

    Dr. Dan Belongia, Director of Bands, Arkansas Tech University

    Dan Belongia talks about the impact his band directors had on him throughout his career...beginning with the trombone through earning his doctorate.  His love of repertoire and the importance of having positive energy in rehearsals are things he has learned.  Today, Dan Belongia is driven to pass those traits and more on to his students in his role as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Arkansas Tech University.

    Jerry Hoover & Herb Duncan, Two Legends of Missouri Bands

    Jerry Hoover & Herb Duncan, Two Legends of Missouri Bands

    Jerry Hoover and Herb Duncan share a story of how they met. They talk about what kept them together as friends and colleagues for over 50 years and give their thoughts on the profession. This is more than a conversation, this is a Master Class in band directing and being a success. It's a sharing of wisdom acquired over the two careers of two master teachers, two great band directors and two incredible people.

    Gary Brandes, Life-Long Teacher, Life-Long Learner

    Gary Brandes, Life-Long Teacher, Life-Long Learner

    After teaching 42 years, Gary Brandes says “I’m not there yet!”  A life-long band director and life-long learner, Gary advises listeners that the only way for us to advance our art form is to continue to grow as musicians, as teachers and as people.  A humble professional, Brandes talks about all who have influenced him and his quest to now, pay it forward.  Sage advice from a master teacher.

    Lester Taylor, Composer, Arranger, Teacher and Musician

    Lester Taylor, Composer, Arranger, Teacher and Musician

    Les Taylor shares stories about his life as a musician, teacher, composer, arranger and so much more.  From time he raised his hand in band to the early morning when he was awakened when the car he was riding in flooded out on the way home from a drum corps show.  Les tells great stories, provides insightful thoughts, and offers up lots of laughs in this great conversation