Common Time Podcast

What does it take to build a thriving band program where every student feels they belong? For Jennifer Jimenez, 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award recipient and Director of Bands at South Miami Senior High School, it starts with intentional leadership, access, and community.In this episode, Jennifer shares how she has spent 19 years building a music program that serves students from diverse backgrounds and creates opportunities for students who might otherwise never have access to music education.We discuss:Expanding access to music education: Why Jennifer created a beginning band class for high school students with no prior experience.Building a culture of belonging: Mentorship, student leadership, shared responsibility, and creating a band family where everyone has a place.Community partnerships: How fundraising and partnerships with local arts organizations help provide instruments, camps, performances, and experiences for students.Intentional program culture: Establishing expectations, empowering student leaders, and building systems that help a program thrive.Representation and mentorship: Jennifer’s research on underrepresented populations in music education and why students and teachers need to see what’s possible.Sustainable teaching: Finding work-life balance, avoiding comparison, and growing the program you have rather than wishing for someone else’s resources.Jennifer also shares advice for young band directors: You are not alone, don't be afraid to ask for help, and give yourself permission to be the teacher you are—not someone else.This is an inspiring conversation about music education, student leadership, equity, and the impact of making sure every student has the opportunity to belong.Connect with Common Time Podcast:Follow us on social media at @CommonTimePodcastJoin our community focused on growth here: 🔗 https://www.facebook.com/groups/commontimecollectiveSubscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!Nominate someone for a Standing Ovation: 🔗 https://forms.gle/i6aqoZxY85RMRwGP7Fill out our anonymous listener survey: 🔗 https://forms.gle/E6VBNH2f4bWYNPFM8Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts on this episode in the comments below or on our social media channels. Let’s keep the discussion going!Hosts: Dr. John Pasquale and Dr. David ClemmerProducers: Jessica Pasquale and Theresa Clemmer

What does it take to build an ensemble that consistently performs at an elite level—and sustain that excellence over decades?In this episode of Common Time, we talk with Matt Harloff, former Director of Bands at Avon High School and current Brass Caption Head with Carolina Crown. Matt shares lessons from his career in marching band, concert band, and drum corps about developing culture, teaching musical artistry, building student ownership, and getting the most out of every rehearsal.They discuss:Building a culture of excellence without sacrificing artistry and emotionWhy the first weeks of a season are critical for establishing expectations and rehearsal disciplineHow to make rehearsals more efficient by talking less and doing moreUsing fundamentals and warm-ups to directly address challenges in repertoireWhat high school band directors can learn from the drum corps modelCreating student ownership by explaining the “why” behind expectationsSustaining excellence through strong systems, staff culture, and a willingness to keep evolvingThe importance of finding balance, setting boundaries, and avoiding burnout as a band directorWhy band directors can learn a lot from coaches and strength & conditioning professionalsMatt’s recommended reading, including Leading with the Heart and Extreme OwnershipMatt also reflects on one of his favorite lessons from his career: sometimes the goal isn't simply to perform perfectly—it’s to create a performance that allows musicians and audiences to stop analyzing and simply experience the music.Connect with Common Time Podcast:Follow us on social media at @CommonTimePodcastJoin our community focused on growth here: 🔗 https://www.facebook.com/groups/commontimecollectiveSubscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!Nominate someone for a Standing Ovation: 🔗 https://forms.gle/i6aqoZxY85RMRwGP7Fill out our anonymous listener survey: 🔗 https://forms.gle/E6VBNH2f4bWYNPFM8Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts on this episode in the comments below or on our social media channels. Let’s keep the discussion going!Hosts: Dr. John Pasquale and Dr. David ClemmerProducers: Jessica Pasquale and Theresa Clemmer

In this episode of the Common Time Podcast, we sit down with legendary music educator, conductor, clinician, author, and University of Texas Professor Emeritus Paula Crider for a conversation about music education, meaningful music making, rehearsal techniques, leadership, and the human side of teaching.Paula shares lessons from a lifetime in music education, including how to create more purposeful rehearsals, help students connect with the meaning behind the notes, develop student ownership, and balance high expectations with genuine care.In This Episode:What makes a great music rehearsalWhy “meaningful music” goes beyond playing the right notesScore study, preparation, and lifelong learningUsing positive language to improve rehearsalsDeveloping student leadership and ownershipCreating a culture of high achievement and genuine careThe importance of mentorship in music educationWhat today's music students need from their teachersWhy educators should never lose sight of the gift of musicWhether you're a band director, music educator, conductor, or student teacher, Paula's perspective offers practical reminders about teaching music with purpose, passion, and humanity.Connect with Common Time Podcast:Follow us on social media at @CommonTimePodcastJoin our community focused on growth here: 🔗 https://www.facebook.com/groups/commontimecollectiveSubscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!Nominate someone for a Standing Ovation: 🔗 https://forms.gle/i6aqoZxY85RMRwGP7Fill out our anonymous listener survey: 🔗 https://forms.gle/E6VBNH2f4bWYNPFM8Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts on this episode in the comments below or on our social media channels. Let’s keep the discussion going!Hosts: Dr. John Pasquale and Dr. David ClemmerProducers: Jessica Pasquale and Theresa Clemmer

The Common Time Podcast is back for Season 5! Hosts John Pasquale and David Clemmer return for a conversation about summer adventures, music education, leadership, the power of the arts, and what listeners can expect from the newest season of the podcast.After a summer break, John and David catch up on what they’ve been doing—and where their careers are taking them next.John shares highlights from traveling to Japan and Vietnam, where he worked with bands and students and experienced musical cultures that challenged and inspired him. He also talks about returning to the University of Michigan Marching Band, the importance of musical fundamentals, and why a strong rehearsal process ultimately leads to a stronger artistic product.David talks about his new role as Executive Director of the Amarillo Symphony and how the position brings together so many different parts of his career in music education, leadership, community engagement, and the arts. The conversation also explores the important role that music educators play in developing lifelong patrons and supporters of the arts.Season 5 expands the Common Time conversation even further. While the podcast has deep roots in band and ensemble education, John and David are bringing in perspectives from across the musical world, including choral music, orchestral music, international music education, leadership, and the broader arts community.Listeners can look forward to conversations with inspiring educators, conductors, composers, performers, and other guests from across the United States and around the world.The goal remains the same: to create meaningful conversations that help music educators learn, reflect, grow, and connect with one another.Connect with Common Time Podcast:Follow us on social media at @CommonTimePodcastJoin our community focused on growth here: 🔗 https://www.facebook.com/groups/commontimecollectiveSubscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!Nominate someone for a Standing Ovation: 🔗 https://forms.gle/i6aqoZxY85RMRwGP7Fill out our anonymous listener survey: 🔗 https://forms.gle/E6VBNH2f4bWYNPFM8Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts on this episode in the comments below or on our social media channels. Let’s keep the discussion going!Hosts: Dr. John Pasquale and Dr. David ClemmerProducers: Jessica Pasquale and Theresa Clemmer

Season four goes out with just the two of us — and it turns out there's plenty to talk about. David reflects on his artist-in-residency at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he closed out a six-conductor series, and debuted a live interactive concert app he's calling the Living Program. John shares what it was like to step onto the red dot and deliver a TED Talk about navigating a speech impediment — and what that process of synthesis actually looked like.From there David and John dig into their ongoing wind band pedagogy collaboration with the University of Cape Coast in Ghana (now reaching educators across 13 African countries, with a master's degree program on the horizon), field listener questions about honor band availability and the Common Time Collective, swap music recommendations, and make the case — loudly — for video recording your own rehearsals. There's a conducting soapbox or two along the way, some gratitude for four seasons and 25,000-plus downloads, and a preview of what season five might become.Connect with Common Time Podcast:Follow us on social media at @CommonTimePodcastJoin our community focused on growth here: 🔗 https://www.facebook.com/groups/commontimecollectiveSubscribe, rate, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!Nominate someone for a Standing Ovation: 🔗 https://forms.gle/i6aqoZxY85RMRwGP7Fill out our anonymous listener survey: 🔗 https://forms.gle/E6VBNH2f4bWYNPFM8Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts on this episode in the comments below or on our social media channels. Let’s keep the discussion going!Hosts: Dr. John Pasquale and Dr. David ClemmerProducers: Jessica Pasquale and Theresa Clemmer