The Band Dads Podcast

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Scott and Chris leave the confines the Scott Lang Library and take you with them to the heart of New York City—where towering skyscrapers, the energy of Times Square, and the buzz of 5th Avenue set the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime performance at Carnegie Hall.

But this episode is about more than just the performance.

It’s about why travel matters.

From gaining independence and experiencing new cultures, to learning how to adapt, problem-solve, and grow outside of the rehearsal space—traveling with a band or orchestra creates lessons that simply can’t be replicated anywhere else.

Recorded live as they walk through 5th Avenue, 6th Avenue, and Times Square, Scott and Chris share real-time reflections on the impact of these experiences—and even a deeply personal moment from Scott that made this trip unforgettable.

Later in the episode, Chris is joined by Basha High School Orchestra Director Jonathan Gott, who shares a story every parent thinks about—but hopes never happens:
What do you do when something goes wrong?

When a sudden flight cancellation leaves his group stranded, Jon walks us through how they navigated the challenge and ultimately got everyone home safely—highlighting three critical travel takeaways: Contacts, Communication, and Contingency.

You’ll also hear about a powerful and personal visit to the 9/11 Memorial Museum, and how moments like that can shape perspective far beyond music.

To close the episode, we bring you something truly special—an audio recording from Carnegie Hall:

“Autumn Elegy” by Robert Sheldon, performed by the Basha Symphony Orchestra, with guest conductor Scott Lang in a full-circle moment years in the making.

Whether you’re a band parent, educator, or student, this episode is a reminder that the journey matters just as much as the performance.

🎧 Travel with us. Learn with us. Experience it with us.
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The Band Dads are on the other side of the mic!
In this special bonus episode, Scott and Chris join Robin Eissler, founder and CEO of Booster Hub, as guests on The Boosted Volunteer Podcast. What starts as an interview quickly turns into a fun, insightful, and wide-ranging conversation about band, community, and what makes great programs thrive.
Scott and Chris share the story behind how the Band Dads Podcast got started, why their dynamic works so well, and why band continues to be such a meaningful and impactful activity for students and families alike. From there, the conversation dives into booster culture, navigating volunteer roles, and how strong parent organizations can make or break a program.
Of course, the Band Dads wouldn’t be themselves if they didn’t flip the script—turning the tables on Robin to ask key questions about how booster clubs can operate more effectively and set themselves up for long-term success.
We had such a great time on this episode and were so impressed with what Booster Hub offers that we’re excited to officially share our new partnership. If you’re involved in a booster club, this is a platform you’ll want to explore.
👉 Learn more and start a free trial at BoosterHub.com
Be sure to also check out The Boosted Volunteer Podcast for more insightful conversations with experts covering everything you need to help your organization succeed.
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It’s that time of year again—band directors everywhere are rolling out their processes for selecting student leadership teams for the upcoming fall season. The decisions made during leadership season can shape the culture, tone, and success of a band program long before the first rehearsal of summer band even begins.
In this episode, Scott reflects on a time when he realized he got it wrong. A leadership selection that didn’t produce the results he hoped for forced him to step back, rethink his entire process, and work backwards from the outcome he actually wanted. What kind of leaders did he want his students to become? What culture was he trying to build? And how should the selection process support that vision?
From that reflection came a five-step approach designed to identify the right leaders and develop the characteristics he wanted to see throughout the band. Scott walks through that process and shares the lessons learned along the way.
The Band Dads also offer perspective for parents navigating leadership season with their own students. Is it Drum Major or bust, or should families take a broader view of what leadership in band can look like?
As always, expect thoughtful insight, honest reflection, and plenty of entertaining moments in another great episode of the Band Dads Podcast.
Make sure to also check out musicleadership.com to find Scott Lang's newly launched, fully customizable Leadership Training and Selection System app. The flexibility of this tool makes it perfect for all programs regardless of their desired outcome!
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The conversation continues…
After the cliffhanger ending of Part One, the Band Moms are back with Libby Denny to finish the story—and this second half delivers in all the best ways.
What begins as an honest look at the challenges of being married to a band director turns into something even deeper: a celebration of the love, loyalty, and lifelong bonds that are built inside the band community. From navigating long seasons and shared sacrifices to discovering unexpected moments of joy, Part Two leans into the heart behind the hustle.
You’ll hear lighthearted stories that perfectly capture what makes band life so unique—like students serenading you with bagpipes, and even uncovering a band director’s secret color guard talents. These moments are funny, yes—but they also speak to something bigger: the respect, gratitude, and connection that grow when people invest in one another through this activity.
From start to finish, this episode reminds us that band isn’t just a job, an extracurricular, or even a season—it’s a family. And the relationships formed along the way have a way of leaving a permanent mark.
This is the kind of conversation that enlightens you, hits that nerve of sincerity, and leaves you with all the warm fuzzies about being part of the band world.
Don’t miss the conclusion of The Real Bandwives.
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The Real Bandwives – Part One
What’s it really like to be married to a band director?
In this special two-part episode of the Band Moms Podcast, Shannon, Becky, and Leah welcome guest Libby Denny for an honest, funny, and eye-opening conversation about life as a “Band Wife”—or as some call it, a Band Widow.
Shannon and Becky flip the script and step into the role of interviewers, digging into the realities for Leah and Libby of what it means when your marriage, your schedule, and sometimes your sanity revolve around marching season, concert prep, and late-night rehearsals. What are the hardest parts? What are the unexpected blessings? And yes… are there any juicy stories?
Libby shares her unique perspective—not as a band parent, but as someone whose relationship has been shaped by the activity itself. In fact, she and her husband Miles met in battery, so band has quite literally been part of their story from the very beginning. That lived experience offers insight into how a band wife views the activity differently than a band parent—and what perspectives are most helpful when navigating relationships with your band director.
This enlightening and refreshingly candid conversation turned out to be so good, it had to become two episodes. And just when you think you’ve heard it all, Part One ends with a bit of a cliffhanger…
Don’t wait—jump straight into Part Two to hear how the story continues.
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We want to here from you! Send us an email to: [email protected]
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