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After 149 episodes of spirited banter, we finally did the unthinkable—we made an episode without it. Don’t get used to it, though. Odds are the pendulum swings back soon and we overcorrect with an episode that’s all banter… and a mildly concerned guest.

Fortunately, that’s not the case this week.

Sam Quinones is a Los Angeles-based journalist and acclaimed author known for his narrative non-fiction work on drug trafficking and immigration. A former L.A. Times reporter, he gained prominence for his in-depth reporting on the U.S. opioid epidemic, most notably in Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic and The Least of Us.

Today, he joins us to talk about his newest book, Perfect Tuba—a narrative nonfiction exploration of band culture, where discipline, collaboration, and long-term commitment offer a powerful counterpoint to a world chasing instant gratification. Through stories of dedicated musicians, iconic instruments, and tight-knit communities, the book reframes the tuba as more than an instrument—it’s a metaphor for purpose, perseverance, and the kind of fulfillment that comes from doing hard things well, together.

GET THE BOOK HERE: THE PERFECT TUBA: Forging Fulfillment from the Bass Horn, Band, and Hard Work

LEARN MORE ABOUT SAM AND SUBSCRIBE TO HIS NEWSLETTER HERE:

http://www.samquinones.com

samquinones.substack.com

REGISTER NOW:

2027 BEYOND THE NOTE FESTIVALS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/festivals/ensembles/kalahari-1

COMMISSION POSSIBLE 2027 W/ ADRIAN SIMS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education/commission

FREE MUSIC:

Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project (Marie Douglas “Yellow Birds”)

https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/wisconsin-arts-celebration-project-0

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Send us Fan Mail

This episode features Mike Kamphuis, whose remarkable path to leadership in Conn-Selmer is anything but conventional. From working sprint-car pit crews and running a DJ business to announcing early ultimate fighting events and competing at a high level in bowling, Mike shares how an unusual series of opportunities shaped the mindset that now drives his work in music education.

What makes the conversation compelling is how those seemingly unrelated experiences connect through one consistent theme: a willingness to say yes, figure things out, and build solutions where none yet exist. That same mindset later fueled his work developing new systems inside Conn-Selmer—from modernizing parts access and product support to helping create educational tools and services that directly support teachers and school music programs across the country.

The episode also explores how Mike’s original goal of becoming a band director evolved into a broader mission of serving music educators at scale. Through stories about mentorship, industry change, advocacy, and the future of school music, the conversation becomes a larger reflection on leadership, adaptability, and why innovation in education often begins with listening first and acting second.

Learn More About Michael Here:

https://artists.ludwig-drums.com/en-us/education/clinician/profile/michael-kamphuis

https://connselmer.com/news/changes-to-leadership

Watch Tim Gleason Dance Here:

https://youtu.be/PH8dv-yDT1U?si=eBA4YlLvKKrC2Und

Credits:

Why There Is No Trumpet Christmas - YouTube Video https://youtu.be/kfodl1g_ibY?si=mJiXNP6ZF9TbqETu

REGISTER NOW:

2027 BEYOND THE NOTE FESTIVALS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/festivals/ensembles/kalahari-1

BUILDING BETTER BANDS DAY (MAY 23):

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education

RISING MUSIC EDUCATOR PROGRAM (MAY 22):

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education

COMMISSION POSSIBLE 2027 W/ ADRIAN SIMS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education/commission

FREE MUSIC:

Wisconsin Arts Celebration Project (Marie Douglas “Yellow Birds”)

https://dpi.wi.gov/fine-arts/wisconsin-arts-celebration-project-0

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Everything about Chris, Phil and Peter screams antiquated (anti-modern). The jokes, the tech struggles, the slow motion wheezing when attempting to sit or stand. However, our guest is the living definition of the modern music educator and performer. Mary Claxton is the director of Teaching and Learning at Music Will - the largest non-profit music program in the United States. Hundreds educators are using their forward thinking curriculum that champions Modern Band. Mary shares with us about gigging on Motown music at night and truly creative classroom experiences by day. And more information than you ever thought possible about the ukulele.

Learn More Here:

https://musicwill.org/the-team/mary-claxton/

https://www.theburroughssoul.com/

https://www.instagram.com/claxtogram/?hl=en

https://nafme.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Mary-Claxton-Headshot-Bio-1.pdf

https://hub.yamaha.com/music-educators/40-under-40/2026/claxton-mary/

https://www.instagram.com/trashcattunes/?hl=en

REGISTER NOW:

2027 BEYOND THE NOTE FESTIVALS

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/festivals/ensembles/kalahari-1

BUILDING BETTER BANDS DAY (MAY 23):

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education

RISING MUSIC EDUCATOR PROGRAM (MAY 22):

https://www.btnmusicfestival.com/education

Support the show