Musicians Of Color

About Musicians Of Color

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

Publisher

Erika Gates

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Nov 2022

Latest episode

23 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   23 Aug 2026

   New Podcast, I am excited!

   This episode I am announcing the rival of this podcast as Teaching Band! Welcome to Teaching Band, a podcast for band directors who want to make teaching band simpler, more meaningful, and a little less stressful. I’m Erika Gates, a middle school band director, and I’m so excited to bring this podcast back in a new way. This podcast is about more than teaching notes, rehearsal techniques, or getting through the school year. It’s about the people in the band room. Because at the hear...

2. 

   7 Sept 2023

   Shane Colquhoun & Modern Band

   Grab your free download "5 Popular Music Resources Music Educators Need To Know" here Episode 10 In this episode we are interviewing Dr. Shane Colquhoun expanding our mind to all the possibilities and advantages in incorporating modern band and popular music into our music classrooms. Bio: Shane Colquhoun, Ph.D., is a Grammy-nominated music educator with a diverse musical background in music education and music production. Shane is the Assistant Professor of Music Technology and Contemp...

3. 

   3 Jun 2023

   Jammie Phillips: How To Be Culturally Relevant

   Episode 9 Today's guest is the phenomenal Jammie Phillips, Band Director at McKee Middle School in Montgomery, AL. In this episode we discuss on the importance of being a culturally relevant music educator and how doing so will support your students and have them feel seen! If you want to contact Jammie you may do so with the following links: Website: https://www.jammienicolephillips.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moon.quartz39 Instagram: https://www.instagram....

4. 

   22 Apr 2023

   Julietta Curenton & Niiji Memories

   Episode 8 Today's guest is the wonderful Julietta Curenton, who serves as the Assistant Flute Professor at Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia. We discuss her upbringing, experience at Julliard, and the beautiful piece Niiji Memories by composer James Lee III. This recording was done in the end 2022. You can catch the Niiji Memories performance below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9oe-_VHfso If you want to contact Julietta you may do so with the following links: Website: https:...

5. 

   30 Mar 2023

   Erika Gates: Building Community And Rapport With Your Students

   Episode 7. A continuation of the Music In Our Schools Month Series. Episode 7 is a discussion of how I have built a good rapport with my band students, thus establishing a safe and inclusive community in my band program. Let me know what techniques you use in your classroom and if we have any similarities.Thank you so much for listening, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ WELCOME TO MY PODCAST! My name is Erika Gates and it all started when I was trying to find ill...

6. 

   14 Mar 2023

   Erika Gates: Everything Leading Up To Concert Week

   Episode 6 is a continuation of the Music In Our Schools Month (MOISM) series and this episode I am talking about prepping for concert week. From logistics, communication, personal care, and rehearsal techniques. Thank you so much for listening, don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ WELCOME TO MY PODCAST! My name is Erika Gates and it all started when I was trying to find illustrations of BIPOC musicians for my music classroom. With no luck finding them, I created the illust...

7. 

   6 Mar 2023

   Erika Gates: It Was A Rainy Day

   Episode 5! This is my first solo episode and I discuss how I decided to join Band, play the clarinet, and how my first honor band audition went. This was a very nostalgic episode for me so I hope you all enjoy! WELCOME TO MY PODCAST! My name is Erika Gates and it all started when I was trying to find illustrations of BIPOC musicians for my music classroom. With no luck finding them, I created the illustrations myself! I soon came to realize that I can contribute more which has led me to launc...

8. 

   30 Jan 2023

   Alana Wiesing & Pauken Pairings Part 2

   Episode 4 In this episode we continue the interview with Alana Wiesing and pieces composed by Josh Gottry "Pauken Pairings". We also discuss the importance of music diversity and give advice to BIPOC musicians. If you would like to purchase "Pauken Pairings" you may do so at https://www.steveweissmusic.com/product/gottry-pauken-pairings/timpani-books-cd WELCOME TO MY PODCAST! My name is Erika Gates and it all started when I was trying to find illustrations of BIPOC musicians for my musi...

9. 

   30 Jan 2023

   Alana Wiesing & Network for Diversity In Concert Percussion Part 1

   Episode 3. In this episode we feature Alana Wiesing who is the Principal Timpanist of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra as well as the Adjunct Professor of Percussion at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music. We dive in how her journey started, tips for undergraduate and graduate percussionist, and the amazing organization Network for Diversity In Concert Percussion. If you will like to donate to Network for Diversity In Concert Percussion you make do so at https://www.pe...

10. 

    1 Jan 2023

    Jalen Mims & Does Academia Support BIPOC Musicians?

    Hello Everyone! This episode features a senior clarinet performance major, Jalen Mims as she reflects on her path from high school to her senior year of college as she prepares for grad school. We question if colleges support BIPOC musicians and share ideas on how they can improve. Jalen leaves the interview sharing what she hopes to achieve in graduate school. WELCOME TO MY PODCAST! My name is Erika Gates and it all started when I was trying to find illustrations of BIPOC musicians for...

11. 

    8 Dec 2022

    Jonathan Taylor Rush: From Bugs Bunny to the BSO

    This episode features Jonathan Taylor Rush, Associate Conductor of the BSO and Artistic Director of the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra. He shares his journey from watching Bugs Bunny conduct to conducting the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. WELCOME TO MY PODCAST! My name is Erika Gates and it all started when I was trying to find illustrations of BIPOC musicians for my music classroom. With no luck finding them, I created the illustrations myself! I soon came to realize that I can con...

12. 

    6 Nov 2022

    Musicians Of Color Podcast: Trailer

    WELCOME TO MY PODCAST! It all started with me wanting to find illustrations of BIPOC musicians for my music classroom. With no luck finding them, I created the illustrations myself! I soon came to realize that I can contribute more which has led me to launch this podcast! Because more needs to be done, more stories need to be told, heard, and discovered. Starting this podcast is my contribution in showcasing the beauty in diversifying the arts by hearing the stories of today's BIPOC musicians...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.