In the debut episode of In the Lot, Mark Hodge takes the Copper State Marching Podcast on the road to the Eval show at Perry High School. This on-site episode captures the energy, humor, and community spirit of Arizona marching band culture with spontaneous interviews from directors, judges, and staff members across AZMBA.

Mark first chats with Joshua Simmons, band director from Cactus High School, who shares excitement about their 2024 production Spy School Musical and why Cactus returns to AzMBA every year. Then, listeners meet the dedicated and entertaining Perry High School band staff, who introduce themselves and even join in some fun impressions of their band director’s famous sayings.

The conversation continues with heartfelt discussions about:

• What people love most about AzMBA competitions
• The support for small and rural bands in the circuit
• Why the on-field judge experience makes AzMBA unique
• Favorite marching band memories
• The worst (and funniest) mishaps on the field—sax bells crushed, tuning slides launched, and even a tuba bell disaster turned choir solo!

Later, Mark talks with Jeff Quamo, AZMBA field judge and Chandler High School director, who explains the educational benefits of on-field judging and reflects on his philosophy, humorously known among students as “The Book of Quams.”

Mark wraps up with a preview of upcoming content, including interviews with visual designers Sierra Rogers and Dan Hoffman, along with calendar updates and season coverage.

Guests: David Duarte & Bud Hilditch

Hosts: Aaron Vogel & Mark Hots

Presented by: Arizona Marching Band Association

In this episode of the Copper State Marching Podcast, Aaron and Mark sit down with two longtime leaders of the Arizona band community: David Duarte and Bud Hilditch. Between them, these educators have shaped generations of Arizona musicians and left a legacy of excellence, mentorship, and memories.

Highlights from the Conversation:

• First memories of Arizona Marching Band – Bud recalls the early days of ASU Band Day with massive halftime shows featuring combined bands, complete with uniform inspections and strict standards. David reflects on growing up in Thunderbird’s program, the influence of the legendary Nunamaker, and Cortez High School’s historic state festival championships.
• Mentorship and inspiration – Bud shares the impact of early mentors like Grant Wolfe and Fred Forney and how traveling to California festivals opened new doors for Arizona jazz. David talks about the many Arizona directors who influenced his career, from Bill Richardson to Phil Hatler, and emphasizes the role of networking and lifelong friendships in the band world.
• Stories from the field – From playing Jurassic Park for inflatable dinosaurs at U of A Band Day to the unexpected honor of being the first out-of-state band to place at Fullerton Festival, Bud and David recall both funny and defining moments that shaped their students’ experiences.
• Career highlights – David reflects on leading his band to perform at the Midwest Clinic in 2006, one of his proudest moments as an educator. Bud shares memories of Thunderbird’s international performances and the professionalism of his students on some of the biggest stages in the country.
• Shoutouts – Both guests end with heartfelt thanks: Bud to his former students and colleagues who shaped his career, and David to his students, colleagues, family, and mentors across multiple districts who made his journey meaningful.

In this episode, hosts Aaron Vogel and Mark Hodge take a deep dive into the excitement and anticipation surrounding the 2025 marching band season. From show themes and design trends to competitive outlooks and educational opportunities, they break down what students, directors, and fans can expect in the months ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned educator, a current performer, or a supporter of the marching arts, this engaging conversation offers insights, predictions, and plenty of reasons to get inspired for the season to come.

In this episode, Mark and Aaron sit down with two first-year high school band directors in Arizona to share insights and tips for a smooth transition into a new program.

Ben Lynch, now leading the powerhouse Desert Vista High School band, discusses his journey to DV, how he approaches change as an “evolution” rather than a “revolution,” and gives a sneak peek at next season’s Western Band Association show in Chino Hills, California.

Sherri Lindsey, the new director at Paradise Valley High School and an Arizona native, talks about the impact of building the right staff and how pacing the season can set a band up for long-term success.

In this episode, Mark and Aaron dive into all things colorguard with two of Arizona’s top instructors: Keith Casey and Brandy DuBose. They share insights, techniques, and practical advice for band directors looking to build and support strong colorguard programs. Don’t miss it!

Keith Casey shares his journey from Georgia horn player to colorguard expert. With experience at JSU, Star of Indiana, and Lassiter HS under Alfred Watkins, Keith eventually helped open a new school and now teaches at Desert Vista HS. A 27-year English teacher, he explains how he cleans guard work, the band director’s role in program development, and key differences between teaching band and colorguard. His advice? “Write to the booms!”

Brandy DuBose, ASU Colorguard Director and Blue Knights staff member, brings a wealth of experience from Texas and DCI. She discusses her role at ASU, her broader involvement in the colorguard world, and the importance of clear, manageable instruction. No spoilers for the upcoming season—yet!

In this episode, we welcome Jeff Quamo (Chandler HS) and Rick McEnenay (Flagstaff HS) to share their strategies for designing effective shows on a budget.

Jeff Quamo reflects on his journey in crafting high-quality drill and music, beginning at Mesa HS with Robbie Brooks. He’s collaborated with the same arranger for 15 years and began his tenure at Chandler with a show that resonated deeply with the community. His key message: General Effect doesn’t require massive props.

Rick McEnenay, a veteran music educator and administrator, emphasizes the importance of listening to the community. At Flagstaff, they incorporate something new into each show. The band regularly performs at NAU Band Day and attends Division Championships to watch, but their greatest pride is the supportive community they’ve built. Rick writes his own drill and co-designs the show with his wife, often opting for off-the-rack solutions for uniforms and colorguard to stay within budget.

In this episode we speak with Matt Kozacek, Director of Bands at Campo Verde HS and the founding and current President of AzMBA and Daniel Berard, retired band director from Colorado, Texas and Missouri and founder of B Elevated Music, Education and Development.

Matt shares his timeline in the spring that leads to a successful fall season. Most importantly starting early so that you can plan ahead and let ideas simmer. Campo Verde HS starts this process before their fall season is even over!

Dan Berard is the founder of B Elevated, which supports music educators in their journey as teachers and directors. He also speaks about the spring timeline and what to do to plan for a strong fall season. Particularly just evaluating where your program thrives and how to be intentional with your decisions. Be honest with their capabilities and if YOU can't do it...THEY most likely cannot either.

In this episode, Aaron Vogel and Mark Hodge spend some time recapping AzMBA Championships this year.

Post-championships, Aaron and Mark discuss their experience at Championships. They talk about the medalists from every division and share their thoughts and favorite moments from the different shows we saw this year.

AzMBA looks forward to seeing directors and staff at the AMEA Conference at the end of January! Please find our booth. We also have several exciting things coming for 2025...so be on the lookout for more information.