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Band BFFs

Katie Lewis and Laura Bell

Hosts Katie Lewis and Laura Bell are the Band BFF's! This podcast is The One Where We Discuss Band Music. Cheers to starting the conversation!

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21 episodes
Avg 15 min
English

Episodes 21

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S4 · E8
Monday · 13 min
Echo Ridge Express
In this episode of Band BFFs, we explore Matt Neufeld’s Echo Ridge Express, a joyful, fast-paced beginner band piece filled with train whistle effects, colorful percussion, stomps, claps, and fun opportunities for every section to shine. We discuss how the piece can help young musicians develop style, articulation, balance, and ensemble skills while keeping rehearsals engaging and full of personality.
- Transcript
S4 · E7
August 31 · 19 min
Skeleton Crawl
In this episode of Band BFFs, we dive into Jason Nitsch’s The Skeleton Crawl, a fun, accessible Grade 2 piece packed with swing style, percussion features, snapping, and even singing. We discuss teaching strategies for style, phrasing, dynamics, and student confidence while highlighting why this spooky, energetic piece is a great choice for a Halloween or themed concert.
- Transcript
S4 · E6
August 24 · 14 min
Going Rogue
In this episode of Band BFFs, we explore Going Rogue by Brian Balmages, a dark, mysterious, spy-inspired Grade 1 piece that’s accessible for younger players while still offering plenty to teach. We break down its rhythmic precision, articulation, dynamics, balance, accidentals, and exposed low-brass moments, plus why its suspenseful sound makes it a real “kid magnet.”
- Transcript
S4 · E5
August 17 · 12 min
Piñata!
In this episode of Band BFFs, we explore Piñata! by Willie Owens, a festive, accessible piece packed with Latin percussion, catchy melodies, and plenty of opportunities to build ensemble skills. We break down its balance, phrasing, accidentals, and rhythmic challenges, plus why having a strong percussion section really brings the piece to life.
- Transcript
S4 · E4
July 20 · 14 min
A Jubilant Spirit
In this episode of Band BFFs, Laura and Katie discuss A Jubilant Spirit by Carol Brittin Chambers, highlighting why it has become a favorite for developing bands. They cover the piece’s accessible ranges, limited percussion requirements, strong teaching opportunities in 3/4 meter, articulation, phrasing, balance, and accidentals, along with practical rehearsal strategies for helping students develop confident musicality. With its regal fanfare style, memorable melodies, and approachable technical demands, they recommend it as an excellent choice for young ensembles looking to build both musicianship and confidence.
- Transcript
S4 · E3
July 13 · 12 min
Creepin' Monsters
In this episode of Band BFFs, Laura and Katie explore Creepin’ Monsters by Chris Clark, a playful and spooky new work written especially well for young ensembles. They discuss its accessible ranges, repetitive structure, light staccato style, colorful percussion effects, and opportunities to teach phrasing, articulation, accidentals, balance, and ensemble independence. With flexible tempo possibilities and engaging features for every section, this piece is a strong choice for a young band fall concert or an end-of-year beginner performance.
- Transcript
S4 · E2
June 29 · 14 min
Panther Rising
In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts discuss Panther Rising by Michael Sweeney, a fast-paced Grade 1 concert work that combines accessible ranges and rhythms with strong opportunities to teach dynamics, articulation, phrasing, tuning, and ensemble balance. They praise the flexible percussion writing, recurring crescendo motives, and programmatic “panther” character, noting that the piece sounds impressive while remaining approachable for younger bands and developing ensembles.
- Transcript
S4 · E1
June 15 · 15 min
Knox Bridge Jubilee
In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts discuss Knox Bridge Jubilee by Todd Stalter, an energetic Grade 2 concert opener packed with fanfare-like moments, syncopated rhythms, and constant interplay between sections. They highlight its strong teaching value for balance, layering, counting, articulation, and ensemble precision, while noting that its brisk tempo, independent lines, and important percussion writing make it a more challenging Grade 2 than it first appears.
- Transcript
S3 · E35
May 18 · 16 min
Zydeco Cajun Crawdad Dance
Zydeco Cajun Crawdad Dance by Roland Barrett is a lively, style-driven, Grade 2 piece in cut time that leans heavily into Louisiana/Creole groove and character. It’s more rhythmically demanding than typical middle school literature, with syncopation, articulation clarity, and strong style awareness being key to success. Overall: a high-energy, crowd-pleasing piece that’s all about feel—great once students lock into the groove and style.
- Transcript
S3 · E34
May 11 · 12 min
Fanfare for the Fearless
Fanfare for the Fearless by Brian Balmages is a short, energetic Grade 1 concert opener in concert E♭ that’s perfect for middle school bands or early-season programming. It emphasizes strong articulation, clear phrasing, and basic balance concepts, with accessible ranges and engaging parts across the ensemble. Overall: a clean, effective fanfare that teaches style while sounding bold and exciting right away.
- Transcript
S3 · E33
May 4 · 11 min
Dragon Dance
This episode covers Dragon Dance by Michael Story — a short, beginner-friendly Grade 0.5 piece in concert B♭ that uses only the first six notes, making it very accessible and confidence-building. It features simple rhythms, no split parts, and light percussion (with tom instead of snare for balance), plus clear opportunities to teach articulation, phrasing, and tuning (especially trumpet Ds). Overall: an easy, effective early-band piece that’s great for fundamentals, layering, and getting young players sounding musical quickly.
- Transcript
S3 · E32
March 30 · 10 min
Upbeat
In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts dive into Upbeat by Randall Standridge, a fast, high-energy Grade 1.5 rock-style piece in concert E♭ built around repeated syncopated rhythms and lots of percussion color. They highlight its strong teaching value for syncopation, layering, and style, plus its catchy grooves and repeated unison patterns that make it feel harder than it is.
- Transcript
S3 · E31
March 23 · 18 min
Fandango
This episode covers Fandango by Carol Brittin Chambers — a fast, high-energy Grade 3.5 piece with frequent switches between 3/4 and 4/4. It’s rhythmically challenging, highly stylized, and requires a strong ensemble with solid counting and articulation. The piece features layered melodies, exposed transitions, and a lyrical trumpet/trombone solo section, along with lots of percussion color. Range (especially brass and clarinet) and balance are key challenges.
- Transcript
S3 · E30
March 16 · 24 min
Spring Concert Ideas - Medium Easy
This is a re-release of an earlier episode as it is timely for band directors! Looking for fresh, engaging music for your beginner or non-varsity band? In this episode of Band BFFs, we review two standout concert pieces—Mama Paquita and The Dragon Lord—that bring energy, variety, and valuable teaching moments to your next performance. Tune in for practical insights on rhythm challenges, instrumentation tips, and how to make each piece a student favorite.
- Transcript
S3 · E29
March 9 · 19 min
Spring Concert Ideas - Easy
This is a re-release of an earlier episode as it is timely for band directors! Looking for the perfect spring concert piece for your beginner band? In this episode of Band BFFs, we review two crowd-pleasers—Tambora by William Owens and Alpha Squadron by Greg Hillis—that are fun, accessible, and sound impressive on stage. Tune in to hear why your students will love them and how to make the most of each piece.
- Transcript
S3 · E28
March 2 · 18 min
March of the Hobgoblins
In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts dive into March of the Hobgoblins by Randall Standridge, a fun, march-like Grade 1.5 in 6/8 that they love as an introductory compound-meter piece. They highlight its strong teaching value for 6/8 feel, accents, chromaticism, and form, plus its energetic writing, important timpani part, and mischievous character that makes kids want to play it.
- Transcript
S3 · E27
February 23 · 16 min
Skedaddle
In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts dive into Skedaddle by Timothy Loest, a fast, high-energy Grade 2 piece in concert E♭ that’s full of ostinatos, sharp dynamic contrasts, and layered textures kids will love. They highlight its fun percussion writing, strong teaching value for rhythm and balance, and how quickly it comes together once students lock in the main ostinato pattern.
- Transcript
S3 · E26
February 2 · 12 min
Cumbia
In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts dive into Cumbia by Jorge Vargas, a colorful Grade 1.5 Latin chart in concert B♭ where style and groove matter more than difficulty. They stress percussion depth, clean articulation, and rhythmic independence.
- Transcript
S3 · E25
January 26 · 13 min
Above and Beyond
In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts dive into Above and Beyond by James Swearingen, a short concert E♭ fanfare that sounds impressive without extreme demands. They focus on phrasing, quick dynamic contrasts, and its accessibility for younger or non-varsity bands.
- Transcript
S3 · E24
January 19 · 17 min
Squirrel Chase
In this episode of Band BFFs, the hosts dive into Squirrel Chase by Carol Brittin Chambers, a playful concert B♭ gallop packed with sound effects, driving percussion, and crisp dotted-eighth/sixteenth style. They highlight storytelling, style, and why it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- Transcript

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes