The Band Dads Podcast

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It’s that time of year again—students are choosing classes and schedules are being built for next school year. And whether a band program grows, holds steady, or struggles often comes down to what happens right now. This is the most critical window for recruitment and retention, and it’s one that’s frequently underestimated—especially by parents and booster groups who are far more influential than they may realize.
In this Season Three premiere, Scott shares a proven framework for success using the “Fill the Chair” campaign he created for the Be Part of the Music Foundation. This episode breaks recruitment and retention down into clear, actionable steps that any program—large or small—can execute.
With free, ready-to-use resources linked, you’ll learn how to:
Gather your resources and build the right team
Establish a clear and effective communication plan
Remind, re-engage, and reassess throughout the process
Trust—but verify—your numbers and assumptions
Take stock of your efforts and adjust where needed
Recruit what you already have before chasing what’s next
Executed correctly, these steps can help strengthen your roster, stabilize your numbers, and get your program running like a well-oiled machine for years to come.
Listen in to learn how the plan works, download the free resources, and take action—but don’t wait. This season moves fast, and there’s no time to waste.
Because when it comes down to it, everything starts with one goal: fill the darn chair.
Visit "Let's Fill the Chair" by clicking here for all the resources your need!
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After a full year of conversations, laughs, debates, and unexpected moments, it was time to hit rewind.
In this special “Greatest Hits” episode, the Band Dads look back on some of the most memorable moments from the first year of the podcast. Featuring favorite clips hand-selected by Scott and Chris, joined by picks from the Band Moms and listeners from across the band community, this episode is a celebration of what made Year One so special.
From insightful takes on band culture and competition, to moments that made us laugh, reflect, and occasionally rethink everything we thought we knew—this collection captures the heart of the Band Dads Podcast.
Whether you’ve been listening since episode one or you’re brand new and looking for the perfect place to start, this episode is your greatest-hits tour through the conversations that shaped the show and the community around it.
Thank you to every listener, contributor, and band family member who made this first year possible. If this is Volume 1… you already know more is coming.
🎧 Press play, turn it up, and enjoy The Band Dads: Greatest Hits (Vol. 1).
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We want to here from you! Send us an email to: [email protected]
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year… unless you’re on the naughty list.
In this special holiday-themed episode, the Band Dads get into the spirit of the season by sorting out who belongs on the naughty list and who earns a spot on the nice list. Where do band directors and band parents land—and is there a little overlap between the two?
Scott and Chris also share their favorite (and most least favorite) Christmas songs, because nothing sparks strong opinions quite like holiday music. Along the way, Chris recounts his unexpected and abrupt introduction to conducting a band at a recent holiday concert—a moment that didn’t quite go as planned but made for a great story.
The episode wraps with the Band Dads reflecting on the season and sharing their wishes for the band family this holiday season. It’s lighthearted, relatable, and the perfect way to close out the year with a little humor and a lot of heart.
Grab some hot cocoa, settle in, and enjoy this festive edition of the Band Dads Podcast
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We want to here from you! Send us an email to: [email protected]
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What if band directors were treated like elite, in-demand coaches?
In this thought-provoking episode, the Band Dads explore a bold idea using a comparison from the sports world. Lane Kiffin is a high-profile college football coach known for being constantly pursued by programs, frequently changing jobs, and commanding attention and salary offers based on perceived value and potential—sometimes even more than past results alone.
So what if band directors were viewed the same way?
Unlike most classroom positions with guaranteed enrollment, band directors must recruit, retain, train, and compete. Their results are public, their programs help generate revenue, and their presence (or departure) can reshape a school’s culture for years. Yet when it comes to compensation, they’re typically treated no differently than positions that don’t require any of those additional demands.
Scott makes the case that band directors shouldn’t be viewed like traditional classroom teachers—and that it may only take one forward-thinking school (possibly even a charter school) to recognize their true value with a competitive, negotiated offer. If that domino falls, could band director compensation and mobility change nationwide?
Of course, opening that door raises difficult questions. What happens to programs that can’t afford to compete? Do lower-income schools fall even further behind? And what unintended consequences might follow?
The conversation then expands into an even bigger “what if”: could something like NIL exist for high school band? Incentives such as lessons, instruments, tailored schedules, scholarships—or even direct compensation. Would that elevate programs… or undermine the spirit of the activity?
This episode isn’t about answers—it’s about challenging assumptions. Join the Band Dads for a candid, insightful discussion on value, equity, and what happens when we open the activity to the highest bidder.
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We want to here from you! Send us an email to: [email protected]
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The Band Moms are back—and this week, it’s Becky’s turn in the spotlight. In this touching, funny, and deeply relatable episode, Shannon and Leah invite Becky to reflect on what it means to be the mom of a senior and to look back on the entire band journey she and her son have shared over the years. From those first nervous early experiences to the final milestones of senior year, Becky walks us through the full life cycle of being a Band Mom.
From watching her 4'11" freshman board his very first solo band trip… to standing on Main Street at Disneyland cheering on that same kid—now a confident 6' senior—Becky revisits the countless moments that shaped their family’s connection to band. And what quickly becomes clear is that the growth, memories, and meaning have belonged just as much to her as to her son.
Becky also shares how stepping into roles like feeding the kids and helping with uniforms kept her closely connected, not just to her son and to the activity she already knew and loved, but to the people who became her community. Through those moments of service, laughter, long nights, and shared chaos, she built deep relationships with fellow band parents—bonds so meaningful that the thought of leaving this band family behind after her son graduates feels almost unimaginable.
Whether you’re a veteran band parent or just beginning your journey, Becky’s reflections will make you laugh, make you think, and maybe even make you tear up.
Take the time with these amazing Band Moms—this conversation is absolutely worth the listen.
SHOW NOTES:
There were so many mentions of show notes to keep track of the editor lost count and ultimately hopes they still have a job for him once they take over this podcast.
Enjoying the show? Click here to send us a text to tell us!


We want to here from you! Send us an email to: [email protected]
Check out these links to connect with us further!
Band Dads Podcast Website
Band Dads Podcast Instagram
Band Dads Podcast TikTok
Band Dads Podcast YouTube
Band Dads Podcast Facebook