Luckhardt Launches "Band in Minnesota" Podcast

Sharing stories from band rooms across Minnesota.
Jerry Luckhardt

Jerry Luckhardt, associate professor and associate director of bands, took a Spring 2020 sabbatical to partner with Farmington High School Band Director, Bradley Mariska, to create a podcast series for band directors. We caught up with him to find out how his project, “Band in Minnesota,” is going. 

Why did you decide to start this podcast? 

JL: The idea of creating a podcast for “Band in Minnesota” came as I listened to some of my favorite podcasts and enjoyed Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. I thought, let's blend these two formats and share stories from around Minnesota.” We have so many great people in our profession doing amazing work. We need to capture these success stories as well as bring ideas and solutions to challenges.

What is your favorite podcast episode and why?

JL: The same answer as when I’m asked what is your favorite piece of music. “The piece I’m currently working on.” 

What do you want people to know about your podcast? 

JL: Our hopes and dreams are that these podcasts will serve as a way for us to connect and inspire our listeners to learn more about the many exciting things happening in band rooms around Minnesota. Topics ranging from beginning band to adults making music and everything in between will be unpacked and explored.

Share a fun behind-the-scenes fact from the podcast’s production.

JL: My colleague on this project, Bradley Mariska (Band Director at Farmington High School) has amazing technology skills. I feel like a dinosaur, but I’m learning a lot and catching up. Like; “What’s a Blue Yeti!” and “Garage Band can do that!”

How has your podcast been affected by community changes due to COVID-19? Has its purpose changed or expanded at all?

JL: The original plan was to travel to locations around the State of Minnesota and capture the essence of band rooms and communities. Episode 5 in Kenyon-Wanamigo really captures this idea. We were able to interview faculty, students and administration all with ambient band room sounds in the background. Now that we are interviewing remotely through Zoom we have lost that aspect. However, we were able to create a COVID-19 episode 6 designed to help band directors prepare for eLearning. 

How can people tune in to your podcast? 

JL: Any of the platforms that you listen to podcasts including: Apple Podcast, Anchor, Breaker, Spotify, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, and Pocket Casts.
We also encourage people to consider leaving a review and write in with ideas for future podcasts.

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Tutti. (Italian) all. every musician to take part.
Tutti is the annual publication of the University of Minnesota School of Music.

Read the Fall 2020 | Volume 21 of Tutti.

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