Jeff Ball

In this episode, Phil turns 50. Don’t worry, his status with AARP doesn’t affect his podcasting ability. Thankfully, Jeff Ball stops by for a chat. Jeff is the Director of Bands and Coordinator of Performing Arts at the Grand Street Campus (GSC) High Schools in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. He is also the Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Brooklyn Wind Symphony, established in 2008 as the Grand Street Community Band. From its original thirty members, the organization has grown into the seventy-piece Brooklyn Wind Symphony and allowed for the formation of two additional ensembles, the ninety-piece Grand Street Community Band and the seventy-five piece Kings County Concert Band. The Brooklyn Wind Symphony is the first-ever New York City-based ensemble to be invited to perform at the Midwest Clinic and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference. 

In this conversation, Jeff Ball discusses his experiences teaching music in New York City and the importance of creating inclusive and engaging music programs. He emphasizes the need for teachers to adapt their teaching methods to meet the needs of diverse student populations and shares insights on effective teaching practices. Jeff also highlights the value of collaboration with composers and the impact of commissioning new works for his ensembles. The conversation concludes with a speed round of New York-themed questions. Unfortunately, our post-interview rambling ends on a low note.

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