Episodes

  • BRP 101 | Ron Murphy and Mike Morrissey
    May 12 2024

    Dylan was able to sit down with Ron Murphy and Mike Morrissey, founder and past directors of the Atlantic Festivals of Music, the largest band, orchestra and choir festival in Atlantic Canada. They spoke about their musical beginnings, 32 years of running the festival, favourite memories, philosophy of festivals and competitions, gifting the festival to the Nova Scotia Band Association, the future of the festival and so much more!

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by becoming a patron through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bandroompod

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by getting your merch at the BRP Store http://www.bandroompod.com/store

    Music used in this episode
    BRP Theme Music: Skyline by EKR Hammell
    Performing Ensemble: University of Toronto Wind Ensemble
    Dr. Gillian MacKay – Conductor

    Chasing Sunlight (Piano Version) by Cait Nishimura
    Arranged and performed by Brian Barber

    Episode Links
    Atlantic Festivals of Music
    https://www.atlanticfestivals.com/

    Nova Scotia Band Association
    https://novascotiabandassociation.com/

    Support the show

    The Band Room Podcast is proudly supported by Kaleidoscope Adventures! To learn more, visit: mykatrip.com

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    52 mins
  • BRP 100 | Frank Ticheli
    Feb 14 2024

    We had an amazing time celebrating 100 episodes by chatting with the extraordinary composer, conductor, and educator Frank Ticheli! We discussed his musical upbringing, composing music for different levels, favourite collaborations, being a conducting composer, what inspires him, and much more!

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by becoming a patron through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bandroompod

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by getting your merch at the BRP Store http://www.bandroompod.com/store

    Music used in this episode
    BRP Theme Music: Skyline by EKR Hammell
    Performing Ensemble: University of Toronto Wind Ensemble
    Dr. Gillian MacKay – Conductor

    Chasing Sunlight (Piano Version) by Cait Nishimura
    Arranged and performed by Brian Barber

    Episode Links
    About Frank
    https://www.manhattanbeachmusiconline.com/frank_ticheli/biography.html

    TEDxOrangeCoast - Carl St. Clair - Innovation Whispers
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezVequnPmUc&ab_channel=TEDxTalks

    Support the show

    The Band Room Podcast is proudly supported by Kaleidoscope Adventures! To learn more, visit: mykatrip.com

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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • BRP 99 | Shelley Axelson
    Jan 30 2024

    We welcome Dr. Shelley Axelson , Director of Bands at Radford University, to The Band Room! We dive into Shelley's origin story, the importance of being patient with yourself, teaching teachers, fostering student connections, and much more!

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by becoming a patron through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bandroompod

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by getting your merch at the BRP Store http://www.bandroompod.com/store

    Music used in this episode
    BRP Theme Music: Skyline by EKR Hammell
    Performing Ensemble: University of Toronto Wind Ensemble
    Dr. Gillian MacKay – Conductor

    Chasing Sunlight (Piano Version) by Cait Nishimura
    Arranged and performed by Brian Barber

    About Shelley
    Dr. Shelley Axelson is currently the Director of Bands at Radford University in Virginia where she conducts the Wind Ensemble, Campus-Community Band, graduate conducting students, and teaches courses in the music education curriculum. She was previously an Assistant Professor of Music Education and Assistant Director of Bands at Montclair State University in New Jersey for twelve years where her duties included conducting the Symphonic Band and teaching courses in conducting, instrumental methods, and music education. She also served as an academic advisor, faculty advisor for Sigma Alpha Iota, and created a Campus Band and Pep Band so students majoring in a subject other than music would have an opportunity to continue their musical education and experiences.

    Dr. Axelson earned her undergraduate degree in music education from the University of South Florida, where she studied conducting with Jerry Junkin, Michael Votta, and Mallory Thompson. She continued her training by earning a Master of Music degree in Conducting at the University of Michigan, where her principal teacher was H. Robert Reynolds. After graduating from Michigan, she taught at Pasco Middle School in Dade City, Florida (co-author of the Secondary Music Curriculum), and Richardson Junior High in Richardson, Texas.

    After earning her Doctorate in Conducting with Mallory Thompson at Northwestern University, Dr. Axelson was appointed Director of Bands at Central College in Pella, Iowa where she was responsible for running all aspects of the band program. After three years in Iowa, she relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana to become the Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Indianapolis. In 2009, she joined the faculty of the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University in New Jersey and has been at Radford University since the fall of 2022.

    Dr. Axelson is a highly sought-after conductor, clinician, presenter, and adjudicator for professional development events, band festivals, honor bands, and conferences throughout the United States and Canada. She recently presented at the National Association for Music Education Regional Conference in Atlantic City and the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago.

    Episode Links
    Radford University School of Music
    https://www.radford.edu/content/cvpa/home/music.html

    University of Toronto Wind Conducting Symposium 2024
    https://performance.music.utoronto.ca/conducting-symposium/

    BRP Consortium Project
    https://www.bandroompod.com/consortium

    Support the show

    The Band Room Podcast is proudly supported by Kaleidoscope Adventures! To learn more, visit: mykatrip.com

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • BRP 98 | Midwest Memories 3.0
    Jan 1 2024

    The Band Room Podcast was back at the Midwest Clinic! Join Dylan and his old and new friends: Alec Harris , Alex Shapiro, Ashley Killam, Colleen Richardson, Danielle Gaudry, Frank Duarte, Harrison J. Collins, Henry Dorn, James M. David, Janet Song Kim, Jason Caslor, Jess Turner, Josh Devries, Katahj Copley, Keith Kelly, Kenley Kristofferson, Paul Kile, Pete Meechan, Roger Zare, and Shannon Shaker.

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by becoming a patron through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bandroompod

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by getting your merch at the BRP Store http://www.bandroompod.com/store

    Music used in this episode
    BRP Theme Music: Skyline by EKR Hammell
    Performing Ensemble: University of Toronto Wind Ensemble
    Dr. Gillian MacKay – Conductor

    Chasing Sunlight (Piano Version) by Cait Nishimura
    Arranged and performed by Brian Barber

    Episode Links
    Alec Harris
    https://giamusic.com/store/music-education

    Alex Shapiro
    https://www.alexshapiro.org/index.html

    Ashley Killam
    https://www.ashleykillam.com/
    https://www.diversifythestand.org/

    Colleen Richardson
    https://music.uwo.ca/faculty/bios/colleen-richardson.html
    https://www.wasbe.online/

    Danielle Gaudry
    https://www.mcgill.ca/music/danielle-gaudry

    Frank Duarte
    https://frankduarte.com/

    Harrison J. Collins
    https://harrisonjcollins.squarespace.com/

    Henry Dorn
    https://www.henryldorn.com/home

    James M. David
    https://www.jamesmdavid.com/

    Janet Song Kim
    https://www.drjsk.com/
    https://music.uconn.edu/person/janet-kim/
    https://musicfest.ca/

    Jason Caslor
    https://search.asu.edu/profile/1204254

    Jess Turner
    https://www.jesslturnermusic.co/

    Josh Devries
    https://justatheorypress.com/pages/joshua-devries

    Katahj Copley
    https://www.katahjcopleymusic.com/

    Keith Kelly
    https://www.globalbandroom.com/keith-kelly
    https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/

    Kenley Kristofferson
    https://kenleykristofferson.com/about/

    Paul Kile
    https://www.edinabands.com/program/staff/

    Pete Meechan
    https://meechanmusic.com/

    Roger Zare
    https://rogerzare.com/bio.htm

    Shannon Shaker

    Support the show

    The Band Room Podcast is proudly supported by Kaleidoscope Adventures! To learn more, visit: mykatrip.com

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • BRP 97 | Building a Creative Life
    Dec 5 2023

    This week Dylan moderates a conversation with Cait about the art of crafting a multifaceted career as a contemporary musician. Drawing from her own experiences, Cait shares perspectives on building a creative life that spans various facets of music and life.

    This conversation was recorded live as part of a residency at Memorial University, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Thank you to the MUN Scholarship in the Arts and the Newfoundland and Labrador Band Association for their support of this event.

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by becoming a patron through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bandroompod

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by getting your merch at the BRP Store http://www.bandroompod.com/store

    Music used in this episode
    BRP Theme Music: Skyline by EKR Hammell
    Performing Ensemble: University of Toronto Wind Ensemble
    Dr. Gillian MacKay – Conductor

    Chasing Sunlight (Piano Version) by Cait Nishimura
    Arranged and performed by Brian Barber

    Support the show

    The Band Room Podcast is proudly supported by Kaleidoscope Adventures! To learn more, visit: mykatrip.com

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • BRP 96 | Gillian MacKay LIVE from OMEA 2023
    Nov 13 2023

    This episode was recorded LIVE from the 2023 Ontario Music Educator Association Conference in Niagara Fall, Ontario! Dylan and Cait sat down with their friend and mentor, Dr. Gillian MacKay from the University of Toronto. They spoke about finding musical inspiration from non-musical activities, programming with diversity in mind and all three of their connections to the ColourFULL Music Initiative, band after the pandemic, contributing to creating a more peaceful and inclusive musical environment and so much more!

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by becoming a patron through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bandroompod

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by getting your merch at the BRP Store http://www.bandroompod.com/store

    Music used in this episode
    BRP Theme Music: Skyline by EKR Hammell
    Performing Ensemble: University of Toronto Wind Ensemble
    Dr. Gillian MacKay – Conductor

    Chasing Sunlight (Piano Version) by Cait Nishimura
    Arranged and performed by Brian Barber

    About Gillian
    Gillian MacKay is Professor of Music of the University of Toronto, where she conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches conducting. Gillian has an active professional career as a conductor, adjudicator, clinician and trumpeter. She has conducted honour ensembles throughout Canada and the United States, and is Associate Conductor of the Denis Wick Canadian Wind Orchestra. Dr. MacKay has adjudicated Canadian band festivals at local, provincial, and national levels in Canada. She has conducted honour bands and judged competitions in the US, Singapore, Thailand, and Korea.

    Dr. MacKay enjoys presenting clinics and workshops at provincial and state conferences in Canada and the United States, and is known for her work on the relationship between conducting and mime. Currently, she is investigating the application of the Michael Chekhov acting technique to movement and meaning in conducting. Recognized as a conducting pedagogue, Gillian leads the University of Toronto Wind Conducting Symposium each July, and has been the guest instructor at other symposia in Canada and the United States.

    Gillian holds degrees and diplomas from the University of Lethbridge, McGill University, the University of Calgary, and Northwestern University.

    Episode Links
    BRP 5 | Gillian MacKay - Being The Best Musician You Can Be
    https://www.bandroompod.com/episodes/episode/be1b3f21/brp-5-or-dr-gillian-mackay-or-being-the-best-musician-you-can-be

    BRP 24 | Gillian MacKay
    https://www.bandroompod.com/episodes/episode/24782749/brp-24-or-gillian-mackay

    ColourFULL Music Initiative
    https://www.colourfullmusic.com/

    Ear Training Apps
    Better Ears
    https://www.mamp.info/better-ears/en/

    InTune
    https://apps.apple.com/us/app/intune-tuning-practice/id580791793?amp%3Bmt=8&ls=1

    Toned Ear
    https://tonedear.com/

    Support the show

    The Band Room Podcast is proudly supported by Kaleidoscope Adventures! To learn more, visit: mykatrip.com

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 18 mins
  • BRP 95 | Nora Tycast
    Oct 10 2023

    We are excited to welcome award-winning music educator, Nora Tycast to the Band Room! Dylan, Cait, and Nora dive into her remarkable musical journey, connecting with students on a deeper level, the significance of inviting guest artists into the classroom to enhance the learning environment, and how parenthood has influences her teaching perspective. Tune in for an engaging discussion filled with inspiration and wisdom from a true expert in the field. You won't want to miss it!

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by becoming a patron through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bandroompod

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by getting your merch at the BRP Store http://www.bandroompod.com/store

    Music used in this episode
    BRP Theme Music: Skyline by EKR Hammell
    Performing Ensemble: University of Toronto Wind Ensemble
    Dr. Gillian MacKay – Conductor

    Chasing Sunlight (Piano Version) by Cait Nishimura
    Arranged and performed by Brian Barber

    About Nora
    Nora Tycast is in her 22nd year of teaching and has served as the director of bands at Spring Lake Park and Hopkins High School, both near suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. Currently she conducts 4 concert bands, 2 jazz bands and an active marching and pep band. Her bands have performed with Ashley DuBose, Joshua Holmgren, Cameron Kinghorn, Scott Agster, JT and Chris Bates, Ben Bussey, Salsa del Soul, McNasty Brass Band, the After Hours Jazz Project, Aby Wolfe, and Dessa. Her marching band, jazz bands and concert bands have traveled all over the United States, Costa Rica and as the first US high school band in Havana, Cuba.

    She has presented multiple times at the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Midwinter Clinic and at the National Association for Music Education (NAFME) annual conference. Topics have included; literacy intervention in the large ensemble classroom, teaching to students with trauma, including historically underrepresented composers in wind ensemble literature, and developing racial and equity conversation curriculum within the large ensemble classroom as a way to engage all of our students.

    Outside of teaching, Tycast has served as secretary for the MN Band Directors Association (MBDA), as the chair of the International Spanish Language Academy school board and as a Regional Arts Teacher-Leader with the Perpich Center for the Arts. She earned her B.A. in Music Education from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and her Master’s in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She resides in the Twin Cities with her husband and three daughters, travels often and puts in a lot of miles on her athletic shoes.

    Episode Links
    Hopkins High School Music
    https://highschool.hopkinsschools.org/activities/music

    Schmitt Music Educator of the Year
    https://www.hopkinsschools.org/district/news/article/~board/district-news/post/nora-tycast-named-schmitt-music-educator-of-the-year

    Band is Everything Podacast feat. Nora Tycast
    https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/18-quality-music-of-diversity-nora-tycast-brian-lukkasson/id1502567757?i=1000478289967

    Support the show

    The Band Room Podcast is proudly supported by Kaleidoscope Adventures! To learn more, visit: mykatrip.com

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 4 mins
  • BRP 94 | Pratik Gandhi
    Sep 17 2023

    We welcome conductor, educator and percussionist, Pratik Gandhi to The Band Room! We spoke about his path, how to gain conducting experience as a young conductor, his work with MusicFest Canada and Ontario Band Association, thoughts on programming, the Canadian Repertoire Database and so much more!

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by becoming a patron through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bandroompod

    Help support the Band Room Podcast by getting your merch at the BRP Store http://www.bandroompod.com/store

    Music used in this episode
    BRP Theme Music: Skyline by EKR Hammell
    Performing Ensemble: University of Toronto Wind Ensemble
    Dr. Gillian MacKay – Conductor

    Chasing Sunlight (Piano Version) by Cait Nishimura
    Arranged and performed by Brian Barber

    About Pratik
    Pratik Gandhi (he/him) is a conductor, clinician, and researcher based in Toronto. He currently serves as vice-chair of the concert band division of MusicFest Canada, as well as music director of the Rouge River Winds, a group he has led for over ten years. He is also a sessional lecturer in the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, where he directs the Wind Symphony. Pratik is engaged in doctoral studies at York University in Toronto, investigating issues of equity and representation among wind band composers in Canada. He has shared his research through articles and presentations for the Canadian Band Association, the Canadian University Music Society, and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. He also recently launched a free, public, searchable database of recent Canadian wind band repertoire, which can be found at https://cdnwindrep.ampd.yorku.ca/ . Pratik holds degrees in music education and instrumental conducting from Western University. For more information, please visit www.pratikgandhi.ca.

    Episode Links
    Canadian Repertoire Database
    https://cdnwindrep.ampd.yorku.ca/

    UofT Wind Symphony
    https://www.music.utoronto.ca/our-people.php?fid=458

    MusicFest Canada
    https://musicfest.ca/

    Canadian Winds Journal
    https://www.canadianband.org/canadian-winds

    Support the show

    The Band Room Podcast is proudly supported by Kaleidoscope Adventures! To learn more, visit: mykatrip.com

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 13 mins