#24: Geneva Fitzsimonds - Edina, MN

The Band Director's Lounge Podcast

Today’s conversation is with Geneva Fitzsimonds who teaches in Edina, MN.

Geneva is a master at teaching band but especially to middle school aged kids. Her bands and jazz bands have performed at festivals across the region including the MMEA Middle Level Conference and the MMEA Mid-Winter Clinic.Geneva has served on the MMEA Board of Directors as a region representative, is past president of the MN Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association, and is president elect of the Minnesota Band Directors Association. As if that wasn’t enough, she is highly involved as one of the conductors of the Minnesota Junior Winds - a high performing auditioned twin cities based ensemble for 7-12th graders.

We are going to dive into our interview in just a second, but first I want to mention that this episode is brought to you by Audible.

• Audio books aren’t new, but you maybe haven’t taken the plunge to explore them fully. Like podcasts, they are easy to listen to on your commute to and from work or playing in the background during work time in your classroom. I find myself over the course of a week or two completing an audiobook during all of my workouts and drive time to and from school.
• If you are interested in upping your “reading” game, check out this offer from The Band Director’s Lounge. You can get a free month of Audible and 2 free books when you use our referral link. Books that you acquire through audible are yours to keep even if you stop your subscription, so it is totally worth checking out!
• Audible - 30 days free + 2 free books (https://amzn.to/2Dd4Apf )

Okay now onto my conversation with Geneva.

******************************************************

Background (01:55)

Edina High School (16:12)

Building a Better Middle School Band (17:37)

Creating Success for Double Reed Players (32:00)

Favorite Literature (36:15)

Recruitment (41:26)

Advice for Female Band Directors (46:50)

Book that Impacted Teaching (54:00)

• Who moved my cheese?: An amazing way to deal with change in your work and your life, Spencer Johnson

Advice for Band Directors (55:10)

What Makes a Great Band Program? (56:50)

If you like what you heard today consider heading over to TheBandDirectorsLounge.com and use our affiliate links to purchase some of the books mentioned in the show, or pick up a set of Eargasm Earplugs ( http://bit.ly/2HBge0T). Your purchases through these links help offset some of the costs of recording, producing, and hosting this show.

Thanks again for tuning in, I will see you back here next time in The Band Director’s Lounge.

Other Resources

• Geneva Fitzsimonds (Guest)
• Logan Burnside (Show Host)
• http://thebanddirectorslounge.com (Podcast Website)
• https://www.facebook.com/TheBandDirectorsLounge/ (FB Website)

Support The Band Director’s Lounge

• Eargasam Earplugs (http://bit.ly/2HBge0T)
• Audible - 30 days free + 2 free books (https://amzn.to/2UQqgCb )
• Donate to support the podcast (paypal.me/pools/c/8dpQAkgwuQ)
• Books mentioned in this episode
  • Who moved my cheese?: An amazing way to deal with change in your work and your life, Spencer Johnson