Over the past two summers, I have had the privilege of attending a number of conferences and clinics led by incredibly talented and successful band directors, professional conductors, composers, authors, and thought leaders in the worlds of band and music education.
Four years ago, I brought the "Habits of a Successful Musician" curriculum and method to our band students. This method book, along with its recommended pedagogy and techniques, is used in all three levels of band at Darlington: beginning, middle, and Upper School. In order to gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively implement the material in the method books, I attended the Habits of a Successful Musician Conference in the summer of 2024. At this event, I had the opportunity to speak with every author who contributed to these method books, including Scott Rush, the founder. Not only did I get to hear these authors present, but I was able to have many one-on-one conversations with the authors about how the publications could be implemented best at Darlington. A highlight of this conference was working with famed music education advocate, Dr. Tim Lautzenheimer.
The Habits of a Successful Musician Conference offered sessions not only on pedagogy, but also many aspects of building a productive and positive culture in the band rehearsal room. The ensemble directors at the event discussed topics such as how to communicate, build confidence, develop band leaders and differentiate between the varying levels of band. Participants also worked on the sequencing of exercises and repertoire to bring band students from point A to point B.
At the conclusion of the Habits conference, I stayed for a certification called program called "Crafting Culture – Becoming a Music Teacher Leader." This certificate program was created by SLAM, or the Servant Leadership Association for Music. The group’s primary mission is to help school ensemble directors become great leaders so that they can elevate music performance through character, connection, mindset, motivation and feedback. "Crafting Culture" focused on how to empower, motivate and connect with students. I'm excited to now work as an active member of SLAM, a group that has several of its leaders teaching in the Northwest Georgia area. Click here to learn more about SLAM.
These two events were energizing as I looked forward to the coming school year. Now in the summer of 2025, I continued my professional development by attending Kennesaw State University’s Band Director Symposium. This symposium was hosted by Dr. David Kehler, Director of Bands at KSU; Dr. David Roush, Associate Director of Bands at KSU; and Dr. Brandon Meeks, Director of Athletic Bands at KSU. Each day of the symposium was led by Dr. Jerry Junkin, who is commonly regarded as one of the world’s best conductors of wind bands. He conducts the Dallas Winds, the Texas Wind Ensemble and is the Director of Bands at the University of Texas at Austin.
The primary instruction at this summer’s Band Director Symposium was on conducting and captivating your ensemble's attention. Participants had the opportunity to play in an ensemble coached from the podium by one of the symposium’s leaders. There was a spirit of collaboration and ongoing improvement at this event. The four-day event also included seminars from band directors and professors of music education, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The overall theme of these sessions was how a conductor can help with the pedagogy of each instrument family. The band directors at this event were able to collaborate in both small and large groups in sessions like "Challenges Facing the Conductor," "Building Ensemble Culture," "Rehearsing the Band," and more. The information and demonstrations at the KSU symposium provided tools and techniques that will assist me in providing more specialized help and increasing overall engagement with my students.
I particularly enjoyed the KSU Band Direcotor’s Symposium because it featured many quick, easy-to-use, yet effective techniques that can be added to my professional toolbox. While the Habits and SLAM events partially focused on larger systematic changes that can positively affect band programs, the KSU symposium was centered on the actual conducting and pedagogy that make day-to-day teaching more powerful and each rehearsal more seamless. I feel privileged to be able to attend events that feature these amazing pedagogues, conductors, teachers and authors. As an educator, it has been particularly impactful to be part of professional development for band directors that cover context, content and strategies. I am especially thankful to the Thatcher Hall Professional Development Grant for making my attendance at these conferences and symposiums possible.
Professional growth and development are high priorities for Darlington. Each year, faculty and staff members participate in a professional growth cycle that includes professional learning communities, professional development days, and the ability to apply for professional development grants which fund conferences, travel, workshops, instructional supplies, outside speakers, and more. This blog series will highlight some of the opportunities that faculty and staff have participated in since they were awarded 2025-2026 Thatcher Grants last spring.
