A woman who needs no introduction to the marching arts world, Amy Knopps is my guest on this week’s episode of the Global Band Room Podcast. The Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at University of Missouri, Amy is no stranger to what it takes to become a marching band sensation. From the pandemic affecting Marching Mizzou’s trip to Dublin for St Patricks Day to coming back swinging in the Macy’s Day Parade, the last five years has been just as wild for them as the rest of us. We chat all about Amy’s path that led her to where she is now, what it’s like to be a part of the programme at University of Missouri, and — most importantly — the importance of creating an environment that inspires and facilitates success on an individual and group level. Find more about Amy and her programmes at:https://music.missouri.edu/people/knopps https://www.instagram.com/marchingmizzou/ https://www.facebook.com/MarchingMizzou/ You can find me on theglobalbandroom.com for more information about the podcast or about this show's sponsor, Kaleidoscope Adventures. Until next time, happy banding!
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48:55
Kevin McKeown - Santa Monica High School
Back in the band room once again, but this time, the episode sounds just a little bit different! This week’s guest, Kevin McKeown, is an impassioned conductor from Belfast and California who worked with me to bring his wind ensemble at Santa Monica High School to Edinburgh, Manchester, and London. Taking this episode a little closer to home, we talk about Kevin’s unique experience being an Irish immigrant who moved to California during the Troubles in the 1980s, how music became a huge part of his new life, how the pandemic shook things up in his band room, and the tour of the United Kingdom we were on at that moment — all from the comfort of a cosy pub in London! You can find me on theglobalbandroom.com for more information about the podcast or about this show's sponsor, Kaleidoscope Adventures. Until next time, happy banding!
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50:46
David Eddleman - Drum Corps International
You might have found me back in the day from Finding Drum Corps, and if so, then this week’s guest will need no introductions! But if this is new to you, David Eddleman is the Open Class at Soundsport and International Development Officer with Drum Corps International, among many other things. As we move through David’s career and its many (many) fascinating branches, we discuss the transformative moments in music that captivate and make us who we are today — as well as knowing when to take up the call yourself in order to see the thing you love succeed. Over the last five years (and, perhaps, more realistically his entire career), even though he moved off of his job with Avon Lake High School, David learned about the new ways in which we have to communicate with our students and band members. “When you build a culture that values people first, the music naturally follows.” Find more about what David’s up to on:soundsport.com You can find me on theglobalbandroom.com for more information about the podcast or about this show's sponsor, Kaleidoscope Adventures. Until next time, happy banding!
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56:07
Mark Nichols - Clear Lake High School
Delighted to welcome back friend-of-the-pod, Mark Nichols! Since 2020, Mark's made a fair few transitions, and like so many of the rest of us, started re-prioritising some things too! We chat about how sometimes "it's just band" and how life looks so much larger when you step away from the nitty-gritty of your normal routine. And, as a result of that, how much programmes benefit from that more balanced approach. When I met Mark, he was Brass Caption Head for DCI's Santa Clara Vanguard and Director of Bands at Brazoswood High School. But these days, he finds himself on the Brass Staff at Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps and Associate Director of Bands at Clear Lake High School. If you want to find out more about Mark's work and the projects he's involved in, find him here: https://education.musicforall.org/clinician/4339/https://bostoncrusaders.org/https://www.clhsband.org/@bostoncrusadersYou can find me on theglobalbandroom.com for more information about the podcast or about this show's sponsor, Kaleidoscope Adventures. Until next time, happy banding!
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48:50
Jason Noble - Lehman College
For this week’s episode, I’m joined by world-class musician and good friend, Jason Noble. As the Associate Professor of Music at Lehman College, conductor of the Columbia University Wind Ensemble, and avid commissioner of new works, he’s a pillar of the band world. We talk all about the massive changes of the last five years — from writing a book to Jason’s life-altering surgery to the new priorities in his life, and everything in between. And what better time to share my conversation with Jason than this March, during Essential Tremor Awareness Month?Find more about Jason and his career at: jasonnoble.com@jnobleband (on Instagram and Facebook)And have a look at this link, highlighting the difference between his conducting finesse post-procedure. You can find me on theglobalbandroom.com for more information about the podcast or about this show's sponsor, Kaleidoscope Adventures. Until next time, happy banding!
Welcome to The Global Bandroom! A podcast that brings you stories, news, and guests from across the world of Wind, Brass, and Marching Band. Hosted by Keith Kelly, from the west coast of Ireland. Each episode he sits down with musicians and directors from across the world to talk about their stories, their bands, and how they’re making an impact in their communities.
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