Gieske Woodworks

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Gieske Woodworks Custom gifts, music education tools, and much more! We use lasers, woodworking, 3D printing, and more to meet your needs!

7 hours of printing, 300 grams of filament each, and loads of trial and error, but my trombone players now have no excus...
10/06/2026

7 hours of printing, 300 grams of filament each, and loads of trial and error, but my trombone players now have no excuse not to practice at home because their parents don’t like the noise😎 the grey mute in the corner is a trumpet mute for size comparison.

Marching Competition Etiquette (Tip #6) did I miss anything?When you go to a competition, make sure to do these:1. Clap...
10/03/2026

Marching Competition Etiquette (Tip #6) did I miss anything?

When you go to a competition, make sure to do these:

1. Clap for any and all bands! At the beginning, at the end, after big moments, just because you feel like it, and more are all encouraged!

2. Keep your critiques to yourself in the moment. Everyone around you is here to enjoy their group’s performance, which can be hard when someone nearby is giving off wanna-be marching judge energy. Don’t be the guy that pokes fun at another group within earshot of their band parents.

3. Enter and exit the stands between performances. It’s a huge distraction to the people watching when they have to dodge you climbing over them.

4. Follow the contest regulations about video recording! At some contests, failure to do so may have you removed from the stadium. I’ve been threatened at a BOA contest before and I wasn’t even recording😵‍💫

You never know what a kid is gonna bring to middle school band class🙃
10/01/2026

You never know what a kid is gonna bring to middle school band class🙃

The Band Booster Dilemma (Marching Band Pro Tip #4)The Band Boosters keep adding fuel to the fire, keeping the whole pr...
09/20/2026

The Band Booster Dilemma (Marching Band Pro Tip #4)

The Band Boosters keep adding fuel to the fire, keeping the whole program moving down the track. Without them, the director can be left to do everything alone.

If you’re a new band parent thinking about it, I encourage you to take part in your booster program! Many hands makes for light work. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn the procedures. Be prepared to take constructive criticism as you learn.

If you’re already heavily engaged in a booster program, make sure that you leave room for new people and don’t create a toxic culture of totalitarian control. Leave room for constructive criticism of procedure from a fresh set of eyes, and don’t tolerate a culture of gossip and belittlement.

To every band competing today: put your best run out there and leave it on the field!No matter how you scores turn out, ...
09/19/2026

To every band competing today: put your best run out there and leave it on the field!

No matter how you scores turn out, enjoy playing for the audience that is here for YOU and nothing else! No footballs, no basketballs, no cheerleaders, just band.

Use your judges comments to improve, and don’t take it personally if they call out a mistake! Their job is to go over the performance with a fine tooth comb and discuss the wins and the woes of each group.

Comparison will steal your joy (Band Tip #3)👇One negative thing about marching competitions is in the name: competition...
09/18/2026

Comparison will steal your joy (Band Tip #3)👇

One negative thing about marching competitions is in the name: competition. Your group or your kids’ group is pitted against other people trying to score more points from judges. I figured out early in my career that if I spend all of my effort comparing my group to others, I’m going to be miserable all the time.

Every program is different. Their population, school culture, band culture, socioeconomic status, community support, and more are vastly different. Some band kids don’t have to work and can focus on being great at their craft. Others have to work to help keep the lights on at home. Some programs have mega budgets and staff at every practice for every section. Some schools are lucky just to have a band director.

If the competition doesn’t end in your favor, just think, “Is today’s performance better than last week?” Focus on what’s happening at your school in your culture and try your hardest to influence it. If you don’t, it can be easy to play the blame game and the comparison game, which doesn’t really make anything better. It just makes you bitter and jaded against other programs.

Marching Season Pro Tip #2: The Dangers of the HeatIt is HOT right now in the US, and there’s a supposed heat dome in m...
09/16/2026

Marching Season Pro Tip #2: The Dangers of the Heat

It is HOT right now in the US, and there’s a supposed heat dome in my area. Heat+playing+aerobic exercise+thick uniform= high potential for heat stroke. Be mindful of the heat index in your area, and make sure that your band kids are adequately hydrated before performing.

Most people know this but don’t practice it: energy drinks and your typical soda products are not for hydration. Best practice is to hydrate with water well before and during the game or competition as much as possible. Your kids might whine about drinking water, but whining is far better than medical emergency or death.

Marching Season Pro Tip #1: Cheer for every band at a competition, even if you didn't like the show.Band competition cr...
09/16/2026

Marching Season Pro Tip #1: Cheer for every band at a competition, even if you didn't like the show.

Band competition crowds were always my favorite to march in front of because they were there for one thing: the band. They weren't there to sideline coach the football team, swear at the ref, make fun of the coach, etc. They were there purely to support the marching arts.

This season, cheer LOUDLY when you hear a band play. Kids thrive on that energy. Sometimes they need to be reminded that what they are doing is good and worthy of your excitement. Even when it's not your band, your show concept, your style, etc, make it known that you're happy to hear them play. After all, often times, those band kids are the same ones being made fun of and ostracized for being in band.

Necessity drives invention. This is true in my band room too, as this week, I created a solution to young players not be...
09/13/2026

Necessity drives invention. This is true in my band room too, as this week, I created a solution to young players not being able to reach their water key and resorting to opening it with their feet (and ripping it off): a water key extension! I can’t believe this isn’t on the market already!

08/31/2026

It kinda blows my mind who crosses my path in the business nowadays. Over the weekend it’s been conversations with directors in Thailand and on an island in Alaska🤯

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Shelbyville, TN
37160

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