Band Talk is Back

MuseClass: Tom Gierke & Bob Chreste Talk About This New Online Resource

Hal Leonard, the world's largest sheet music and music education publisher, and music innovators Muse Group, launch MuseClass, an assignment, grading, and music content p

A Conversation with Jim Mair, Jazz Educator and Saxophonist

Jim was raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba and graduated from Silver Heights Collegiate in 1984. That same year his quintet won top high school combo in Canada and he was selec

A Conversation with John Armato: Music As A Life Skill

John Armato is a Senior Partner and Creative Strategist for Fleishman Hillard, a Global PR and Marketing Agency.  John was a percussionist in his high school band and ove

A Conversation with John Whitwell

Professor John Whitwell, who retired as professor of music and director of MSU Bands, has distinguished himself in the field of music as an educator, clinician, conductor

Dr. John Climer, Director of Bands (Retired), University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

A dear friend of Charlie's returns to the program after a couple of years.  Together in Fargo, North Dakota for the Raging Red Band Festival, Charlie caught up with John

A Conversation with Dr. Steve Peterson, Director of Bands (Retired), The University of Illinois

Steve Peterson, Director of Bands (Retired) at the University of Illinois shares his journey from learning the piano to ending up leading one of the most prestigious band

Dr. Rick Fleming, Director of Bands, SUNY - Buffalo State University

Dr. Rick Fleming, Director of Bands at SUNY's - Buffalo State University campus talks about his beginnings as a trombone player, and the steps that led him to his current

A Conversation with Dr. Andrea DeRenzis Strauss

Dr. Andrea DeRenzis Strauss is Conductor of the Tara Winds and is the retired Director of Bands at the Georgia Institute of Technology.  An accomplished musician and cond

A Conversation with Warren Olfert, Director of Bands at North Dakota State University

Dr. Warren Olfert, Director of Bands at North Dakota State University highlights his journey from growing up in Glascow, Montana to becoming Director of Bands at NDSU.  W

Band Talk is Back: You Never Know What Comes Out of a Blizzard

Band Talk with Charlie Menghini and Friends returns thanks to a blizzard that cancelled day one of the Raging Red Band Festival, in Fargo, North Dakota.   In an effort to

Retired Col. Thomas Palmatier

Retired Colonel Thomas Palmatier shares what drew him to join the military and reflects on his more than 37 years in the United States Army where he served in a wide arra

Tom Merrill - Traveling With Your Band

Tom Merrill spent the first 10 years of his career as a band director and the past 20 years in the festival and travel business.  Tom provides great insights and informat

Ted Piechocinski, Director of the Music Business Program, Indiana State University

It all started when his junior high school band director told his dad that he thought Ted would make a great band director.  Who knew that 50 plus years later he would ha

Jay Bocook

With over 600 titles to his credit, Jay Bocook is one of America's finest and most trusted band composers and arrangers.  From his days as a student with the Largo (FL) B

Dr. Ken Dye, Director of Bands, University of Notre Dame

Dr. Ken Dye shares his journey from a student in California to becoming the Director of Bands at the University of Notre Dame.  Dr. Dye talks about the role the band play

Les Taylor - The Importance of Listening to Music

Les Taylor and Charlie have a conversation on the importance of listening to music and the need to create dedicated time to help expand our musical palettes.  

John Armato, Dr. Heidi Kay Begay & Dr. Garrett Hope

John Armato makes his second visit to the podcast to talk about all that went into his CD, The Drummer Loves Ballads.  It's a fascinating story, one you will enjoy.   D

A Conversation with Paul Murtha

Paul Murtha served as Chief Arranger for "Pershing's Own," The United States Army Band from 2001 to 2016.  Today, he continues writing and has over 600 published works to

Mike Lawson, Publisher, SBO Magazine

As a little kid, Mike Lawson loved to sing.  Then a friend's father changed his life by teaching him his first four guitar chords.  His love for music grew but he only ha

George Hattendorf, Retired Director of Bands, Mountain Ridge High School, Phoenix, AZ

George Hattendorf, retired director of bands at Mountain Ridge High School, Phoenix, AZ talks about his 47 plus year career and offers that band directors have two choice