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Teaching Band

Sharing perspectives. Making connections. Building better days in the band room.


What is it really like to be a band director?


Teaching Band is a podcast for music educators who want practical ideas, honest conversations, and a community that understands the real life highs and challenges of teaching music.


Hosted by middle school band director and creator Erika Gates, this podcast goes beyond music education tips. Erika shares the real stories behind the band room, from rehearsals and student engagement to classroom challenges, teacher burnout, building a positive band culture, and finding ways to make teaching band simpler and less stressful.


You'll also hear conversations with music educators and creators who are sharing their ideas, experiences, and perspectives online and in their classrooms. Some episodes take you behind the scenes of Erika's week as a band director, while others explore teaching strategies, mindset, music education, content creation, and what it means to build a band community where people feel connected.

Whether you're a new band director, an experienced music teacher, or simply someone who loves music education, this is a place to learn, laugh, think, and remember that you don't have to figure out this job alone.


Teaching band is about more than notes, rhythms, and rehearsals. It's about people.


Sharing perspectives. Making connections. Building better days in the band room.

You can follow Erika Gates on social @mrsgatesband



Teaching Band

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