PODCAST · education
After Sectionals
by Darcy Vogt Williams
Welcome to After Sectionals, the podcast about all things band recorded when it's fresh on our minds. We come to you from the Stiles MS band hall - home of chickens and lost tuners. Join our staff (Darcy Vogt Williams, Jenna Yee, and TJ West) as we talk band pedagogy, talk smack, and everything in between right after sectionals.
Episodes
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AS 1102 - The Gang's All Here
In this episode we hobble with 3 microphones and discuss Raghav's observations from the start of the year. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Learn how you can travel beyond expectations at https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/after-sectionals/
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AS 1101 - Introducing Raghav!
In this episode we meet Raghav Vemuganti, our new 4th band director at Stiles MS who is a recent graduate of UT Austin and a clarinet player. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Learn how you can travel beyond expectations at https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/after-sectionals/
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AS 1100 - The Last Episode of the Year That Never Went Out
In this episode, TJ, Jenna, and Darcy summarize the 2025-26 school year in which the program exploded and new schedules made life possible. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Learn how you can travel beyond expectations at https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/after-sectionals/
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AS 1012 - Teaching Vibrato
In this episode Darcy talks about introducting vibrato to our beginner flute, double reed, and saxophone classes and how to incorporate it as a fundamental and into fundamentals well before it makes an appearance in songs. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Learn how you can...
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AS 1011 - Recruitment Parent Meeting
In this episode we share our 5th Grade Parent Night Meeting in which all incoming 5th grade families come to learn about the classes their children can take once in 6th grade. This is a live recording of our band sales pitch. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Learn how you can...
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AS 1010 - Proof of Life
In this episode Darcy, Jenna, and TJ are ALL PRESENT to recap some of what has happened so far this very chaotic year.
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AS 1009 - Full Clarinet Finally (November)
In this episode from early November, the clarinet class finally has the full clarinet put together, focusing on fundamentals and tone.
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AS 1008 - Clarinet Class Part 1: Upper Joint Only
In this episode we listen to clarinet class when they were still on upper joint. The next episode is the same group of kids once the lower joint and bell are added.
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AS 1007 - Trumpet Class Warm Up #1
In this episode Darcy works with the beginner trumpet class on Warm Up #1. This is post-straw work, with the class moving back and forth between berps and instruments, as well as some early tuner work.
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AS 1006 - Practice Files
In this episode Darcy shares some of the practice files uses with her band students. Included are warm up files, grace note work, lines from the book, and ideas of other ways they can be utilized with your own band students.
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AS 1005 - The Gang's All Here (Finally)
In this episode the whole crew finally makes our Season 10 debut recapping the start of our enormous band year.
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AS 1004 - Dotted Half Notes
In this IRL episode, Darcy teaches dotted half notes. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Learn how you can travel beyond expectations at https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/after-sectionals/
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AS 1003 - Half Notes
In this episode Darcy teaches a half note class straight from Teaching Rhythm Logically. You can find Teaching Rhythm Logically, the method for teachers, by following the link to download. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Learn how you can travel beyond expectations at...
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AS 1002 - Beginner Band Family Meeting
In this episode we revisit our Beginner Band Family Meeting that we hold each year. This was presented the week before school started, right before 6th grade Open House started. Families were invited to bring their child's instrument and supplies to put in their lockers if they had them at home…
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1001 - Brian Balmages + Harry Potter
In this first episode of our TENTH season, Darcy interviews Brian Balmages about his Foundations series on MakeMusic. Debuting this week is the complete Harry Potter Foundations on MakeMusic Cloud and the new teacher's guide in hard copy (with pedagogy information written by Darcy and our...
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AS 918 - End of Year Recap
After being MIA much of the spring, in this episode we recap the year with some highs and lows. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Learn how you can travel beyond expectations at https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/after-sectionals/
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AS 917 - Parent Communication
In this episode we talk about parent communication and TJ's moustache from birth. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Learn how you can travel beyond expectations at https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/after-sectionals/
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AS 916 - Growing Pains
In this episode we talk about the problems that can come with growth of a program, in particular ours. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Learn how you can travel beyond expectations at https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/after-sectionals/
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AS 915 - Four Things to Try Today
In this episode we talk about 4 different techniques to try with your band today! This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 914 - TMEA and Clarinet Update
In this episode Darcy, TJ, and Jenna talk about their TMEA highlights and an update to the clarinet saga. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 913 - Beginner Skills Post Winter Break
In this episode we talk about skills we are approaching with our beginners post winter break. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 912 - Beginner Band Rehearsal
In today's episode you'll be hearing our first and only full band rehearsal with our beginners.
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AS 911 - A Little Behind + WICKED
In this episode we talk about a couple of our classes that are a little behind where they normally are this time of year AND WICKED! This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 910 - Programming
In this episode we talk about the thoughts that go into what pieces we select for our performing bands.
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AS 909 - Criticism
In this episode we talk about criticism from all angles. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 908 - Clarinet Class
This episode is a peek into Darcy's split of the clarinet class from mid October. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 907 - How to Observe
In this episode, Darcy and Jenna talk about how to get more out of a day observing other bands. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 906 - Beginner Saxophone Class
This episode is a recording of a saxophone class from earlier in October.
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AS 905 - Longevity
In this episode Darcy and Jenna talk about achieving longevity in a career that has burned so many out. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 904 - Kirk Vogel - Composer
In this episode Darcy interviews composer and retired band director Kirk Vogel at the Colorado Bandmasters Association. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 903 - Classroom Management in Big Classes
In this episode we discuss managing behavior in large classes. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 902 - Beginner Band Family Meeting
This episode is the actual recording from our Beginner Band Family Meeting that we hold every year before school starts to set expectations and make sure all our New to Band families are the on the same page. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at...
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AS 901 - Articulation and Division of Tasks
In this, our first episode of the new season, Darcy, Jenna, and TJ talk about our articulation poster as well as how we divide all of the tasks necessary to run a band program. The articulation poster can be found on our After Sectionals Pedagogy Page. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope...
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AS 821 - Wins and Losses
In this episode we recap the year with a look at what we considered our wins and our losses. We hope everyone had a great year and is taking a "real" enough break, in whatever way that means for you, to come back refreshed and ready to band again in the fall!
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AS 820 - End of the Year To Do List
In this episode we go through the list of things we prioritize as we close out the school year and set the stage for the next. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 819 - Recruitment vs. Retention
In this episode we talk about the difference between recruitment and retention along with thoughts and strategies for each. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 818 - UIL & the Importance of Beginners
In this episode we have a post-UIL run down of Jenna's and Darcy's bands and revisit some of the scheduling set ups that allow our bands to achieve on the level they do. If you haven't seen the video we reference, you can view it here: https://youtu.be/RAjgYG9tuH8 This episode is sponsored by...
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AS 817 - Clinicians
In this episode we talk about clinicians, both the kind we bring out to work with our band and those we hire for Honor groups - the "one and done" hires that work with our kids, not our regular mentors. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 816 - The Power of a Break
In this episode we talk about all the positives that come when we actually give our kids a break... and all that word means. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectation at mykatrip.com
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AS 815 - Recruitment and Pre-UIL
In this episode we talk about a "new" version of recruiting that we have gone back to as well as TJ's pre-UIL concert. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectation at mykatrip.com
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AS 814 - Cleaning - Pass Offs & Small Groups
In this episode we talk about the most tedious part of concert prep - process of taking correct notes and rhythms and cleaning them into music. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 813 - How to Get a 1 - Musicianship
In this episode we talk about how to approach musicality and really impress the importance of a meaningful fundamental block. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 812 - How to Get a 1 - TECHNIQUE
In this episode we move to the second category of the UIL Form 4 - Technique. This is often the category that young teachers naturally gravitate toward, but we discuss the elements of Technique a young director might not focus on enough. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures.…
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AS 811 - How to Get a 1 - TONE
In this episode we discuss the first category on the UIL Form 4 - Tone. We talk about ways you can work on this concept with your students starting from 6th grade all the way through UIL day, since tone is in no way a "Contest Season" skill. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures....
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AS 810 - How to Get a 1 - Selecting Music
With this episode we kick off a 4-part series called "How to Get a 1". In this series we will covers the UIL Form 4 and the rubric that guides the UIL process. This episode explores selecting music. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 809 - Beginner Fundamentals
In this episode we talk about a variety of beginner fundamentals and why programming EASY for a beginner concert allows you to continue growing students as individual players. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 808 - Holiday Binge Interview Style
In this episode we talk about what brought us to music and about our careers. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectations at mykatrip.com
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AS 807 - About Last Night...
In this episode we talk about when good kids go feral. We discuss poor behavior, how we addressed it, and how we are moving forward. This episode is sponsored by Kaleidoscope Adventures. Travel beyond expectation at mykatrip.com
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AS 806 - It's Not About Feet - Grades & Long Term Projects
In this episode we talk about taking grades, our long term projects, and problems with kids knowing how to practice.
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AS BONUS - What Instrument?
In this episode - the BONUS episode of all bonuses(!) - we play What Instrument? This will be a love it or skip it episode for sure! But either way, it's a lot of fun.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to After Sectionals, the podcast about all things band recorded when it's fresh on our minds. We come to you from the Stiles MS band hall - home of chickens and lost tuners. Join our staff (Darcy Vogt Williams, Jenna Yee, and TJ West) as we talk band pedagogy, talk smack, and everything in between right after sectionals.
HOSTED BY
Darcy Vogt Williams
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does After Sectionals have?
After Sectionals currently has 114 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is After Sectionals about?
Welcome to After Sectionals, the podcast about all things band recorded when it's fresh on our minds. We come to you from the Stiles MS band hall - home of chickens and lost tuners. Join our staff (Darcy Vogt Williams, Jenna Yee, and TJ West) as we talk band pedagogy, talk smack, and everything in...
How often does After Sectionals release new episodes?
After Sectionals publishes regularly with 114 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to After Sectionals?
You can listen to After Sectionals on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts After Sectionals?
After Sectionals is created and hosted by Darcy Vogt Williams.
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