The Global Band Room

In this episode, we dive deep with Chuck Henson, the legendary voice of Bands of America, as he shares incredible stories, his journey from small-town Kentucky to the global stage, and the magic that keeps this activity alive and thriving.

Resources & Links:
⁠Music for All⁠ — The parent organization supporting music education nationwide
⁠Bands of America⁠ — The premier marching arts festival and advocacy group
⁠Drum Corps International⁠ — The global leader in drum corps activity
⁠William D. Revelli — Legacy of Excellence⁠ — A pivotal figure in American band history

In this episode, we chat with Joe Wyndham of London Band Week, who shares insights into the band culture in the UK and the USA. The conversation covers topics such as band conventions, community bands, funding challenges, and the concept of London Band Week. London Band Week brings together marching bands from around the world to showcase their best performances in London. The event includes standstill performances, a tattoo, a parade review, and a drum battle, providing an immersive cultural experience for the participating bands.

🎺 Welcome to the Global Bandroom! Join Keith Kelly and John DeNovi as they kick off Season 7 with a bang! 🎶 Dive into the world of concert and marching bands, exploring stories from Ireland to the USA. Discover how music unites us all, and get ready for exciting insights from band experts worldwide. Don't miss out on this musical journey! 🌍 #GlobalBandroom #marchingband #Podcast

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!

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!