Band Director CEO: Creating a Band Director Operating System
Date
February 10-May 2, 2025
Online
Course Code
8055A
Credits
3
Tuition
$1146
Course Description
Transform your approach to band directing with a revolutionary framework that lightens your administrative load and empowers you to focus on what truly matters—teaching music and inspiring students. This course is designed to equip band directors with a transformative approach to managing the complexities of running a music program by introducing a comprehensive “Band Director CEO” operating system. Based on six key executive roles—CEO (Leadership), COO (Operations), CLO (Instruction & Learning), CIO (Information & Data Management), CMO (Marketing & Community Engagement), and CRO (Resource Management & Finance)—this course provides a framework for organizing and delegating the administrative tasks that can overwhelm the modern band director. Participants will learn to streamline operations, manage resources, and involve others effectively, enabling them to focus on their core passion: teaching music, inspiring students, and fostering a vibrant, musical learning environment. This course is ideal for directors seeking to simplify their workload, and bring renewed joy and impact to their ensembles. A true blending of non-profit, education, and business skills, this is a one-of-a-kind approach toward becoming a better leader, manager, and teacher.
This course is asynchronous with 3 required Online meetings:
February 10, 2025 – 7:15-8:30pm CST
February 24, 2025 – 7:15-8:30pm CST
March 3, 2025 – 7:15-8:30pm CST
March 10, 2025 – 7:15-8:30pm CST
March 24, 2025 – 7:15-8:30pm CST
April 7, 2025 – 7:15-8:30pm CST
April 14, 2025 – 7:15-8:30pm CST
April 21, 2025 – 7:15-8:30pm CST
April 28, 2025 – 7:15-8:30pm CST
Instructor
Glen Schneider is an innovator in music education and has enjoyed a comprehensive career spanning 23 years in K-12 and collegiate level instrumental music. Since 2014, he has served at VanderCook College of Music as a course creator, instructor, and advisor for the MECA program. He is also the founder of Seven Innovations, which provides consulting services for teachers and organizations seeking professional development, continuing education, student leadership, clinics, keynote presentations, marketing strategy, business operations, and business leadership. After two decades of leadership in music education, his skills as a visionary and integrator have led him into the business world where, as General Manager of Kendall Partners, he is responsible for tremendous operational and financial growth for Chicago’s #1 Home Buyer.
Still active and extremely passionate about helping in-service teachers succeed and develop their passion for music education, he is appreciative of the opportunities to have taught at Wheaton College Conservatory of Music as the Director of the Symphonic Band (2019-2022), Naperville Youth Symphony Orchestra (2018-2022), Metea Valley High School in Aurora, IL (2009-2022), where the Music Department received the Grammy Signature Gold Award, The American Prize, and was featured at numerous performances from the University of Illinois Superstate Band Festival to the Illinois Music Education Conference to the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic. Other teaching appointments include Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, IL (2009-2010), Oswego Community School District 308 in Oswego, IL (2002-2009), and Fox Chapel Area School District in Pittsburgh, PA (2001-2002).
He received his education from Duquesne University (Bachelor of Science in Music Education), VanderCook College of Music (Master of Music Education), and Concordia University Chicago (Master of Arts in Educational Technology). He has served as a guest clinician/conductor for the Western Sun Conference Honor Band, District 230 High School Honor Band, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Middle Level Honor Band, and has presented clinic sessions at the Illinois Music Education Conference and the Illinois Percussive Arts Society. He has authored review articles for the Music Educators Journal and Teaching Music, “MAC Corner” in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine, and Yamaha Education. He has served in positions for the Fox Valley Music Festival, IMEA District IX, VanderCook College Alumni Association Board, ARTSpeaks 204, the Alyssa Alvin Foundation For Hope, and NAMM Foundation’s Music Achievement Council. He is a member of Phi Beta Mu and the Vic Firth Education Team. He has received the National Band Association Citation of Excellence Award, the Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award, TeachHUB’s Making A Difference Award, and the Metea Valley Tireless Teacher Award. Most importantly, he is supported by his wife Ashlee and their five children.