#31: Lindsey Simondet - Prague, CZ

The Band Director's Lounge Podcast

Yes, you read the episode title correctly; today we are heading to Prague in the Czech republic! This is the first international interview on the Band Director’s Lounge and it is with a passionate music educator and band director by the name of Lindsey Simondet.

Lindsey Simondet Background

Lindsey Simondet is a native of Minnesota, USA. She graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a degree in K-12 instrumental music education. She also earned a Masters degree in Education from the University of Glasgow in Scotland with a focus on social justice and radical education. Lindsey student taught in Prague, Czech Republic leading her music education career on an international path to where she is today. She is currently in her 11th year of teaching music and her second year at the International School of Prague where she teaches middle and high school band.

Unlike many international schools, ISP is a non-profit school. Lindsey’s love for teaching where she is and the students that she works with was palpable in my conversation with her, it is clear that she has found her perfect “career fit” at this present time. I learned so much about what it is like to teach internationally from Lindsey, a two hour conversation has never gone by so fast. I hope that you enjoy this conversation as much as I did, especially if you have ever considered teaching abroad. Let’s jump into the episode!

Episode Overview

• Background (02:10)
• Teaching Internationally (16:55)
• International School - Prague (19:00)
• Building A Band From Scratch (25:55)
• • ABRSM Exams
• Band and Transient Populations (35:10)
• School Day Structure (42:00)
• A Fine Arts City (51:13)
• Marching Band? And Other Activities (55:55)
• Other International Teaching (66:55)
• Classroom Community (71:12)
• What Do You Love Most About Your Assignment? (75:08)
• Impactful Books (78:03)
• Advice For Young Band Directors (80:38)
• What Makes A Great Band Program? (84:41)

And that wraps up today’s episode.

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

Other Resources

• Lindsey Simondet (Guest)
• Logan Burnside (Show Host)
• http://thebanddirectorslounge.com (Podcast Website)
• https://www.facebook.com/TheBandDirectorsLounge/ (FB Website)
• AMIS: Association for Music in International Schools
• CEESA: Central and Eastern European School Association
• Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom by bell hooks
• ABRSM: About Us

Support The Band Director’s Lounge

• Donate to support the podcast (paypal.me/pools/c/8dpQAkgwuQ)
• Books mentioned in this episode:
• • Teaching Instrumental Music: Developing the Complete Band Program - Shelley Jagow
  • Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom (Harvest in Translation) - Bell Hooks