INTERVIEW: Daniel Spears, Director of Bands at Inman High School

Bowen Boyack of KBN: Tell me about yourself and what inspired you to get this job as a Band Director at Inman.

Dan Spears: I was hired on with Inman Schools right after Christmas of last year.  I am currently going after my full license to teach through Fort Hays State University’s transition to teaching online curriculum, which upon graduating,  will come out with a Masters of Education degree. Music has always been my passion but until about 3 years ago, I was not sure about teaching music.  My wife had a lot to do with giving me the confidence I needed to go for it.  My wife has been teaching music for 8 years now and I watched her everyday, listened to her stories, and saw the lives she has impacted in a positive way.  I found the opportunity to apply/interview with Inman for the band teaching position so I took it.  I was offered the job a couple of weeks later.

BB: Tell me a little bit about the Band Program here at IHS.

DS: I am actually split between two buildings in my district.  I teach 3-4th grade music, 5-6th grade band at the elementary school then travel across town to teach the junior high and high school bands.  My high school band currently has 14 members.  I am actively reaching out to invite those who quit band last year to join up again so my program can start growing.

BB: What inspired your musical selections this year for marching band?

DS: Coming in mid-year, I haven’t had the opportunity to choose many selections for my band to march.  We are still in pep band mode for basketball season which is wrapping up soon.  Our band program has gone away from marching in the traditional style (full band uniforms and marching patterns on the field) to jeans, polo band shirts, and marching down the street for festivals.  We have not gone to any marching competitions this year and will likely not go to any for at least another year or two.

BB: Tell me about the upcoming trips you will be taking within the next 3-4 years.

DS: I do plan to take my kids on some trip in the future but only if I get my numbers up a bit first.  I have been thinking of Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO or Disney Land in FL. 

BB: What concert band repertoire are your bands playing this year? When are your upcoming performances?

DS: My high school is playing “When the Stars Begun to Fall”, "March Glorious”, and combined piece with junior high “Pictures at an Exhibition”.  Our concert is scheduled for March 29th at 7pm. 

BB: Looking forward to 2019, any plans for your band that you would be willing to share?

DS: In 2019 at the start of the school year, I plan on starting things off my way with a new rubric.  I also would like to start a beginning music theory class.  The kids I have now have not had one band teacher their whole school experience.  I plan on starting young and teaching all my beginners how to count music and play with good tone.  Some of my high school students are still having trouble with counting because they were not made to do it correctly from beginning band.  I have a challenge ahead of me but I am super optimistic about the outcome.  I plan on doing more with my bands, not only harder grade music, but starting a beginning jazz band as well.

Thank you, Daniel. Best of luck to you and the Inman HS Bands in your future.