Ask Mike
Ask Mike
Derrick Killam and Mike Lunney
Helping other Music Educators learn from our mistakes! No need to reinvent the wheel, Mike has been there and done that. Just ask Mike!Mike Lunney spent 31 successful years as a head band director in the State of Texas, where his bands were consistently recognized as superior bands. Mike is still active as a clinician, mentor and adjudicator.Derrick Killam has been involved in school music programs in the state of Texas since 1990 through music retail. Derrick has been a repair tech, shop foreman, Education Rep and currently is the Operations Manager for N-Tune Music and Sound, a NAMM Top 100 Dealer!
Can We Rebuild It? Yes We Can! w/Lynsey Gold
Send us a Text Message.Looking at a rebuild in your school music program? Join Mike Lunney and Lynsey Gold for practical and real-world tips that have worked for them. Lynsey Gold has taken two Texas high school band programs from not-that-impressive to WOW!
Jun 14, 2024
38 min
Interviewing 101 w/Jay Lester
Send us a Text Message.Jay Lester spent years hiring music educators in Texas ISD's. In this episode he shares some great tips and best practices to make your interview successful. Between Mr. Lester and Mike Lunney, there is a lot of years of experience in this episode!
Jun 7, 2024
55 min
Audition Drama: Are You Crying? There's No Crying in The Music Program...
Send us a Text Message.We've all experienced it in our school music auditions, how do we teach students (or their parents) to handle auditions with a little grace and humility? How do we teach students that if they don't win the audition, it doesn't mean they aren't appreciated and valued? Mike Lunney shares years of audition experience and some procedures that have helped him navigate the audition process.
May 31, 2024
41 min
We Don't Need No Stinking Boosters...Or Do We?
Send us a Text Message.Mike Lunney discusses the importance of a strong booster organization. Mike also touches on how to locate and recruit some of the diamonds in the booster system, as well as helping booster land in the best position for them to help your school music program. Good stuff!
May 28, 2024
35 min
Relax! It's the Last 6-Weeks, You Got This!
Send us a Text Message.Continuing Mike's helpful punch list for finishing strong and setting up for success next year!
May 25, 2024
29 min
Let's Get Started! How Do We End?
Send us a Text Message.Meet Mike Lunney and Derrick Killam, two average Joes who have a little life on us in the world of School Music Education. Our goal is to help those we can by answering some of the questions our degrees didn't! And providing a resource for some who are out there in the middle of it with no real safety net to fall on! We don't take ourselves to seriously, but we're serious about answering questions and helping school music programs!
May 24, 2024
23 min
Ask Mike Trailer 2024
Send us a Text Message.Ask Mike is a discussion/question answering opportunity for school music educators looking for advice or the accumulated experience of over 30 years. Mike Lunney and Derrick Killam talk about everything from what to do in different seasons to auditions to boosters. The goal is to help all of us succeed!
May 23, 2024
1 min