114. Marc Kaufman discusses his background and tenure as a band director and his transition to teaching middle school orchestra

Episode 114 – The Orchestra Teacher Podcast featuring Marc KaufmanIn this episode, we welcome H. Marc Kaufman, orchestra director at Lovinggood Middle School in Cobb County, Georgia. After a several successful decades teaching band, Marc made the transition to strings. His previous collaborative work with full symphony orchestra and chorus concerts sparked his passion for orchestra, leading him to his current role.Marc’s career spans nearly four decades and a wide variety of experiences: science teacher, textbook writer, content developer for Turner Networks, curriculum and technology coordinator for the Georgia Department of Education, band director, music and movement technician with marching ensembles, and now orchestra director. He shares how this unique path has shaped his teaching, his perspective on building successful programs, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.Join us for this inspiring conversation with Marc Kaufman about career journeys, building community through music, and finding joy in every chapter of teaching.— BIOGRAPHY —Marc Kaufman is in his second year as the orchestra director at Lovinggood Middle School in Cobb County, Georgia. Prior to making the move to strings, he spent the previous ten years as the Director of Bands at Couch Middle School in Grayson, Georgia. In his tenure at CMS, Marc doubled the size of the program. His ensembles consistently earned superior ratings at GMEA performance evaluations, and were an invited ensemble at the Music For All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival at Georgia State University in 2024. In addition to his conducting responsibilities, Marc also arranged many pieces for the CMS Ram Jam, concert band classes, and most importantly, the full symphony orchestra with chorus concerts held every December. It was his experience with the collaborative December concerts that got him started on the road to being an orchestra director. In a career that has spanned nearly four decades, Marc has been a science teacher, textbook writer, content developer for Turner Networks, curriculum/technology coordinator for the Georgia Department of Education, a high school and middle school band director, a music and movement technician for high school bands, DCI and DCA Drum Corps, and is currently in his second year as an orchestra director. Marc holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Grades Education from Kennesaw State University and a Master of Arts in Music Education Degree from Piedmont University. Marc and Jackie Kaufman live in Sugar Hill, Georgia with their beloved Australian Cattle Dog Maddie, and are close to their three children (all teachers!), two daughters-in law, two grandchildren, five granddogs and one grandcat. — REFERRAL LINKS —Looking to plan a great orchestra trip? Kaleidoscope Adventures has been planning performance travel beyond expectations for more than 30 years. ⁠https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-orchestra-teacher-podcast/⁠Looking for things on Amazon?  Use my referral link:⁠https://amzn.to/3RkfRLk⁠Do you keep a monthly budget?  If not, try You Need a Budget!  It’s a great app/website that helps keep your finances on track.⁠https://tinyurl.com/TheOrchestraTeacherYNAB⁠Do you have cable?  Cut the cord and check out YouTube TV!  It works on mobile, Smart TVs, the web and more!⁠https://tv.youtube.com/referral/r22irzcuy7jshi⁠Resources and more information at ⁠www.orchestrateacher.net⁠#TheOrchestraTeacherPodcast #MusicEducation #PodcastForTeachers #OrchestraPodcast #MusicTeacherLife #PodcastForEducators #StringTeacherPodcast #MusicEdPodcast #TeacherPodcast #OrchestraTeacher #StringEducation #OrchestraLife #StringPlayers #StringTeacherLife #OrchestraClass #TeachingStrings #MusicEd #TeachingMusic #StringsMatter #frombandtostrings #frombandtoorchestra