In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat talks with Brittany Valente, the no-nonsense teacher you’ve probably seen on TikTok serving up fast, practical advice for music educators. This one is especially for brand new band directors, or anyone walking into a new teaching situation and feeling like a first-year teacher all over again.

Brittany shares the real steps to take before students even walk through the door, starting with identifying your go-to people for questions, then tackling the big-ticket items in a sane order: instruments and rentals, music library, curriculum expectations, schedules, calendars, and systems that keep you from drowning. She also gives a reality check many of us needed early on: don’t cling too tightly to a perfect yearlong plan before you even meet the kids.

Once the year begins, the focus shifts to building non-negotiable routines, setting up efficient procedures, and creating a classroom culture rooted in relationships and team-building, not constant crisis management. Brittany also talks about protecting your own energy by planning your prep blocks with intention, understanding your “best brain” time, and leaning on mentors and trusted colleagues (even outside your building) to cut decision fatigue and remind you you’re not alone.

The lightning round is full of gold: lower the bar, forgive yourself, remember that mistakes are part of gaining confidence, and learn how to reset after a brutal day without letting it steal your whole evening. If you want a cheat sheet for sustainable teaching in today’s band world, this is the episode to queue up.

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat sits down with veteran music educator and author James Devine for some honest, practical survival strategies for life in the band room. With nearly three decades of teaching experience across private schools, public schools, and charter programs, James shares seven simple but powerful habits that can help band directors reclaim at least five hours every week.

This conversation is all about working smarter, not harder. James walks through realistic ways to limit time-sucking distractions, tame your inbox, and stop letting meetings and unfinished projects drain your energy. From the two-minute rule to scheduling focused work time and giving yourself permission not to finish everything, these ideas are immediately actionable and grounded in real classroom life.

You’ll also hear why weekly review and preview routines matter, how small organizational shifts can dramatically reduce stress, and why burnout often comes from systems that don’t serve us anymore. If you love your job but feel like it’s slowly wearing you down, this episode offers grounded strategies to help you stay effective, balanced, and in the profession for the long haul.

James also shares details about his book, Almost Everything I’ve Learned About Teaching Band, a practical handbook filled with short, usable lessons designed specifically for busy band directors.

In this high-energy, strategy-packed episode of Band Director Boot Camp, Lesley Moffat welcomes veteran music educator, composer, and clinician Dr. Scott Watson to share his go-to ideas for launching the school year with purpose, playfulness, and less overwhelm.

Whether you’re on day one or deep into the semester, this episode offers practical advice to help you set the tone, build routines that work, and reconnect with your students in meaningful ways. Scott shares classroom-tested games and challenges that boost engagement and reinforce fundamentals without sacrificing musical rigor.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “There’s always next week” might be the motto you need
• How games like King of the Hill, BPS (Best Possible Sound), and the Three-Time Rule can transform your rehearsals
• The power of warm-ups, consistent routines, and nonverbal cues
• How to create a safe environment where students can take risks and support each other
• Why asking for help and learning from mentors isn’t just okay—it’s essential

Lesley and Scott also talk about how teaching has changed over the decades, how to meet students where they are, and why your early investment in expectations and culture pays off all year long.

Bonus: Scott is generously sharing a Google Doc with 50 rehearsal games and challenges you can start using this week. Check the link in the show notes!

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Scott Watson’s music & resources: ScottWatsonMusic.com
• Free download of 50 rehearsal games: Link in show notes
• Sponsors: mPowered Music Educator Academy and Kennelly Keys Music