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In this episode, we journey through the eclectic world of conducting, education, and cultural authenticity — with a side of humor and some self-deprecating confessions. Our guest, Dr. Anthony Marinello III, is an exemplary musician and educator (and self-professed Commuter) who shares insights on everything from embracing the non-linear career path to the importance of humility, authenticity, and even a mid-career crisis or two. Get your pencils out as Tony shares a treasure trove of great ideas, quotes, books, podcasts, composers and authors to check out. Peter, Chris, and Phil are still trying to spell their own names.

Key Takeaways:

• Embracing the chaos: Careers don’t follow a straight line—thank goodness! Our guest’s journey from dentistry to music illustrates how the "multiverse" of possibilities keeps life interesting.
• The power of humility and curiosity: Approach students and colleagues with respect and a willingness to learn. Be flexible enough to change your mind and your sound.
• Authenticity over stereotype: True artistry comes from bringing genuine heart and cultural humility, not just imitating or appropriating.
• The importance of mentorship and identity: From LSU to Virginia Tech, mentors shape us immensely, emphasizing that relationships and feedback are the real game-changers.
• The value of risk-taking: Sometimes, the best moments happen when you decide to "go for it" despite fears and uncertainties—like risking a rehearsal or an emotional risk on stage.
• Cultivating community: Whether rehearsing socially or on stage, building trust and respect within groups makes the magic happen—and even a broken window can be a teaching moment.
• The influence of podcasts and psychology: Exploring the human element—feelings, shared stories, and vulnerability—can elevate ensemble performance and leadership.
• The importance of "telling your truth": Show up, do the work, be authentic, and stay flexible in your creative and professional pursuits.

Resources:

• Learn more about Tony here
• Illinois State University
• Work of Adam Grant – Rethink, grow, and challenge your assumptions
• Mark Brackett’s Emotional Intelligence – Cultivating emotional literacy in leadership
• Ira Glass’s Creative Process – The patience, craft, and time needed to develop mastery

REGISTER NOW:

2027 BEYOND THE NOTE FESTIVALS - A few spots remain

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/festivals/ensembles/kalahari-1

COMMISSION POSSIBLE 2027 W/ ADRIAN SIMS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education/commission

FREE MUSIC:

Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project (Marie Douglas “Yellow Birds”)

https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/wisconsin-arts-celebration-project-0

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There is no greater a stumble than an Ostrander introduction of a guest. No helping hands from Gleason or Haberman, either. Our guest is stranded on an island of poorly phrased questions, out of touch follow-ups and frequent misdirects. Our guest David Scalise follows a trend of well-informed, star powered teachers. He handles our poor hosting with ease and a great laugh. He is part of the fabulous Apple Valley music program in Minnesota. David leads the award winning Apple Valley R&B band, and many other groups at the high school. He has had a wide ranging successful teaching career and is the model for meeting students where they are.

Learn more about David & the Apple Valley Program here:

https://www.youtube.com/@davidscalise8985

https://www.avrb.band/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17AopbAxLR8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pG9xAxaMae8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MMd3iM-_h8

There are a million of these videos - all great.

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2027 BEYOND THE NOTE FESTIVALS - A few Jazz spots remain!!

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/festivals/ensembles/kalahari-1

COMMISSION POSSIBLE 2027 W/ ADRIAN SIMS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education/commission

FREE MUSIC:

Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project (Marie Douglas “Yellow Birds”)

https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/wisconsin-arts-celebration-project-0

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Get ready for an insightful and humor-packed conversation with Dr. Alicia Neal—a leader whose passion for music education, community building, and authentic connection shines through every story. Whether you're a seasoned educator or just a band nerd at heart, this episode offers valuable lessons on fundamentals, inclusion, and the joy of teaching music.

Resources:

• Alicia Neal - Biography
• The Hill We Climb: LGBTQ+ Band and Belonging by Rob Taylor & Eric Lung
• Alan McMurray's profile
• Howard Hughes - Biography
• University of Colorado Boulder
• Eastern Illinois University Bands

Credits:

Omar Thomas Of Our New Day Begun - "The President's Own" United States Marine Band Performed on February, 26, 2023, at Northern Virginia Community College's Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria, Va. https://www.youtube.com/watchv=uumlUtrAimk&list=RDuumlUtrAimk&start_radio=1

"The Lonely Goatherd" scene from Rodgers & Hammerstein's The Sound of Music (1965). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmmOJx_Hxto

Wycliffe Gordon Trombone Solos Jazz in Marciac 2009 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBTPkNd3D8w

REGISTER NOW:

2027 BEYOND THE NOTE FESTIVALS - FOUR JAZZ SPOTS REMAINING

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/festivals/ensembles/kalahari-1

COMMISSION POSSIBLE 2027 W/ ADRIAN SIMS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education/commission

FREE MUSIC:

Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project (Marie Douglas “Yellow Birds”)

https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/wisconsin-arts-celebration-project-0

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It’s only fitting that our longest episode is dedicated to our beloved friend, mentor, and colleague, Nobuyoshi Yasuda. We spend time exploring his childhood in Japan, his journey to UW–Eau Claire, Peter’s unrelenting bowing, the infamous crashing trombone dinner story, Moomers, and, of course, his upcoming retirement and return to Japan.

Join us as we say goodbye to a dear friend—and if you don’t yet know Nobu, you’re in for a treat.

Learn more about Nobu here: https://www.uwec.edu/profiles/yasudan

Get ticket's to Nobu's final concert with the Chippewa Valley Symphony here: https://www.pablocenter.org/events/detail/cvso-maestros-finale-conductor-nobuyoshi-yasudas-farewell-concert-964236

REGISTER NOW:

2027 BEYOND THE NOTE FESTIVALS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/festivals/ensembles/kalahari-1

COMMISSION POSSIBLE 2027 W/ ADRIAN SIMS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education/commission

FREE MUSIC:

Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project (Marie Douglas “Yellow Birds”)

https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/wisconsin-arts-celebration-project-0

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What does it take to cultivate musical excellence, build real connections with students, and navigate the unpredictability of teaching? Malcolm Burke brings a compelling mix of artistry, humility, and humor.

From middle school cello to collegiate conducting, Malcolm’s journey highlights patience, adaptability, and the power of listening. He shares practical insights on motivating students without falling into toxic competition, balancing structure with creativity, and creating meaningful musical experiences at every level. Along the way, we explore how small, human moments shape lasting impact, the influence of mentors and how to carry their lessons forward, and what it looks like to conduct with clarity, emotion, and flexibility while connecting with students from beginners to advanced performers.

This conversation goes beyond music, offering a grounded look at teaching, growth, and embracing the inevitable chaos along the way. Thoughtful, honest, and often funny, it’s a reminder that some of the best lessons come from the messiest moments.

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After 149 episodes of spirited banter, we finally did the unthinkable—we made an episode without it. Don’t get used to it, though. Odds are the pendulum swings back soon and we overcorrect with an episode that’s all banter… and a mildly concerned guest.

Fortunately, that’s not the case this week.

Sam Quinones is a Los Angeles-based journalist and acclaimed author known for his narrative non-fiction work on drug trafficking and immigration. A former L.A. Times reporter, he gained prominence for his in-depth reporting on the U.S. opioid epidemic, most notably in Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic and The Least of Us.

Today, he joins us to talk about his newest book, Perfect Tuba—a narrative nonfiction exploration of band culture, where discipline, collaboration, and long-term commitment offer a powerful counterpoint to a world chasing instant gratification. Through stories of dedicated musicians, iconic instruments, and tight-knit communities, the book reframes the tuba as more than an instrument—it’s a metaphor for purpose, perseverance, and the kind of fulfillment that comes from doing hard things well, together.

GET THE BOOK HERE: THE PERFECT TUBA: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work

LEARN MORE ABOUT SAM AND SUBSCRIBE TO HIS NEWSLETTER HERE:

http://www.samquinones.com

samquinones.substack.com

REGISTER NOW:

2027 BEYOND THE NOTE FESTIVALS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/festivals/ensembles/kalahari-1

COMMISSION POSSIBLE 2027 W/ ADRIAN SIMS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education/commission

FREE MUSIC:

Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project (Marie Douglas “Yellow Birds”)

https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/wisconsin-arts-celebration-project-0

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This episode features Mike Kamphuis, whose remarkable path to leadership in Conn-Selmer is anything but conventional. From working sprint-car pit crews and running a DJ business to announcing early ultimate fighting events and competing at a high level in bowling, Mike shares how an unusual series of opportunities shaped the mindset that now drives his work in music education.

What makes the conversation compelling is how those seemingly unrelated experiences connect through one consistent theme: a willingness to say yes, figure things out, and build solutions where none yet exist. That same mindset later fueled his work developing new systems inside Conn-Selmer—from modernizing parts access and product support to helping create educational tools and services that directly support teachers and school music programs across the country.

The episode also explores how Mike’s original goal of becoming a band director evolved into a broader mission of serving music educators at scale. Through stories about mentorship, industry change, advocacy, and the future of school music, the conversation becomes a larger reflection on leadership, adaptability, and why innovation in education often begins with listening first and acting second.

Learn More About Michael Here:

https://artists.ludwig-drums.com/en-us/education/clinician/profile/michael-kamphuis

https://connselmer.com/news/changes-to-leadership

Watch Tim Gleason Dance Here:

https://youtu.be/PH8dv-yDT1U?si=eBA4YlLvKKrC2Und

Credits:

Why There Is No Trumpet Christmas - YouTube Video https://youtu.be/kfodl1g_ibY?si=mJiXNP6ZF9TbqETu

REGISTER NOW:

2027 BEYOND THE NOTE FESTIVALS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/festivals/ensembles/kalahari-1

BUILDING BETTER BANDS DAY (MAY 23):

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education

RISING MUSIC EDUCATOR PROGRAM (MAY 22):

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education

COMMISSION POSSIBLE 2027 W/ ADRIAN SIMS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education/commission

FREE MUSIC:

Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project (Marie Douglas “Yellow Birds”)

https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/wisconsin-arts-celebration-project-0

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Everything about Chris, Phil and Peter screams antiquated (anti-modern). The jokes, the tech struggles, the slow motion wheezing when attempting to sit or stand. However, our guest is the living definition of the modern music educator and performer. Mary Claxton is the director of Teaching and Learning at Music Will - the largest non-profit music program in the United States. Hundreds educators are using their forward thinking curriculum that champions Modern Band. Mary shares with us about gigging on Motown music at night and truly creative classroom experiences by day. And more information than you ever thought possible about the ukulele.

Learn More Here:

https://musicwill.org/the-team/mary-claxton/

https://www.theburroughssoul.com/

https://www.instagram.com/claxtogram/?hl=en

https://nafme.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Mary-Claxton-Headshot-Bio-1.pdf

https://hub.yamaha.com/music-educators/40-under-40/2026/claxton-mary/

https://www.instagram.com/trashcattunes/?hl=en

REGISTER NOW:

2027 BEYOND THE NOTE FESTIVALS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/festivals/ensembles/kalahari-1

BUILDING BETTER BANDS DAY (MAY 23):

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education

RISING MUSIC EDUCATOR PROGRAM (MAY 22):

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education

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