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

It’s a milestone moment! In this very special 100th episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat reflects on two years of podcasting, over 22,000 downloads, and the incredible community of music educators that made it all possible.

This episode is more than a celebration—it’s a recommitment to the mission of helping band directors amplify their impact, not their workload. Lesley shares the story behind starting the podcast in May 2023, what she’s learned from 100 powerful conversations, and how her background in teaching, AI tools, and sustainable systems fuels the work she does today.

You’ll hear about the upcoming release of her next book, The Balanced Band Director, as well as exciting new resources like Band Director Buddy GPTs and Get Sh*t Done sessions to help you save time and energy while doing your best work.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

🎉 Why this podcast was created (and how it’s grown into a movement)

📚 A sneak peek at Lesley’s upcoming book and what makes it different

💡 How AI is transforming how directors manage their programs

🧠 The mindset shift every busy teacher needs

🎺 Heartfelt gratitude to the guests, listeners, and mentors who made this milestone possible

This episode is packed with personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and a powerful invitation to be part of what’s next. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or just found us, thank you for being part of this journey. You are the reason it matters.

Resources & Links:

• Band Director Buddy GPT Tools
• Join the mPowered Music Educator Academy
• Kennelly Keys Music – Proud Platinum Sponsor