Iโm not sure if this happened to you, I tried to look for gifts for band directors in a search engine, and all I found were shirts and mugs. The problem is that after years of being a band director, they most likely already have a collection of t-shirts and mugs. How many mugs does the maestro need anyway?
If you are looking for kitschy mugs that say best band director or goofy t-shirts, you are in the wrong place. But if you are looking for a unique gift for a band director, then keep reading. These gifts are meant to be fun. While some are specifically for band directors, many are meant for music lovers in general, so you are sure to find something they donโt already have.
1. Music Games
Unusual gift ideas for band directors
These music themed games will be fun to play with colleagues, friends, or family members who share a love of music.
Maybe they want to expand their creative side by making their own game. A music trivia book will be all they need to produce a musical version of Jeopardy.
Or they can create their own songs while in the kitchen with magnetic poetry for music lovers. They can use their downtime when cooking to express their imagination.
2. Metal Music Figure Art
Art gifts for band directors
These quirky metal figures are all the rage. They are just the right size to display on their desk.
For the wall, an instrument diagram poster will look classy hanging in their office. If they donโt have room in their office, this will look nice in the home as well.
If you know their favorite band, you can get album cover art. Either have a custom poster made, or get a canvas printed with their favorite cover. These are great gifts, not only for band directors, but for anyone who loves music.
3. Retro Record Player
Cool gifts for band directors
Turntables are making a comeback. But now they have moved into the modern century and have bluetooth. Most are portable so they can even take them to rehearsals to demonstrate techniques they are trying to get across to their band.
Although they might have ditched their albums decades ago, you can revive the music of the big band era with classic vinyls.
So they donโt ruin their desk with rings of condensation from cold beverages, give them some old school record coasters. They are coasters, but they look like mini records.
4. Flute Pens
Gifts for band teachers
Here are some unique gifts for the office. Whether they play the flute or not, these flute pens will definitely get conversations flowing.
Band directors can always use a music notebook filled with blank staff pages. These are great to use with students or for creating their own compositions.
Music note paper clips will add some whimsy and help organize those stacks of paper on their desk. They can also clip pages together in a song book to act as a bookmark.
Are they always drinking cold coffee remnants they were too busy to finish while it was hot? Give them a coffee warmer. Their coffee will stay warm until they are ready to drink it.
5. Mistaken Lyrics Coasters
Funny band director gifts
Mistaken lyric coasters are fun gifts for anyone who is a music lover. We all know those songs that make us think, โDid they really say that?โ Well now they can have a good laugh about all those crazy misheard phrases.
There are tons of funny band t-shirts out there, but anyone who has seen the American Pie movies will get a kick out of a t-shirt that says, โThis one time at band campโ. Who can forget those crazy band camp stories?
Or you can get a treble maker glass for them to sip wine or beer from.
6. Musical Instrument Tie
Good gifts for band directors
Choose their favorite instrument or get one with musical notes. This gift will top the charts.
Donโt forget to add a musical note tie clip with the gift.
You can create a musical ensemble by giving musical instrument socks as well.
You might want to take a look at gifts for other musiciansย too!
7. New Suitcase
Marching band director gifts
Marching bands sometimes need to travel to other cities to participate in parades or events. Suitcases get beat up and worn out after a while. A band director will appreciate a new one with wheels. This makes it easier to get around while dealing with rosters and field trip forms. These can either be conveniently used as carry ons or checked luggage.
Then get them some packing cubes to make everything easy to find in their suitcase.
A music note luggage tag will help them quickly identify their luggage in baggage claim.
Another useful travel gift will be a marching band tote bag. They will need to have ready access to travel info, band rosters, and checklists.
8. Custom Keychain
Personalized marching band gifts
Give them a one of a kind gift with a custom keychain. You can get the band directorโs name and school initials printed on it, plus pick one with their favorite instrument.
If they are a drummer, personalized drumsticks will make a unique gift. Think up an inspirational phrase or have their name engraved.
You can also get a personalized band poster made with the directorโs name on it. These make great gifts for graduating seniors as well. You can customize the poster with their name and instrument.
While regular mugs are an overdone gift, a musical note travel mug with their name will be useful for taking their coffee on the go. Even if they already have one, these get grimy after a while, so they will welcome a new one.
9. Marching Band Photo Frame
Band director gifts from seniors
If you are looking for a gift for the band director from the graduating class, get an engraved photo frame with a picture of the band as a keepsake gift.
Another gift idea is a marching band senior pillow. Have all the seniors sign the pillow with silver fabric markers.
For a more comical gift, have a cartoon portrait made of the band director. The seniors can sign around the edges for a lasting impression. When my mom was a dance teacher, we had everyone sign a dance poster which we had framed. My mom still has it hanging on the wall. She likes reading the signatures and reminiscing about each student.
10. Marching Band Resource Manual
Gifts for band directors to read
This book is great for new band directors or even for seasoned directors who want to learn new tricks of the trade. These are filled with incredible teaching ideas.
Biographies of band leaders will be enjoyable gifts for all music fans.
Or give them some background reading to enlighten their soul with some music history books.
11. Music Staff White Boards
Gift ideas for band directors classroom
Make their job easier by giving them these great teaching tools.
Or give them a creative musical notes clock to hang on the wall for inspiration.
They will have to look closely at this one. It may look like a chemistry gift with a chart of the elements. However, upon further inspection they will notice it is a periodic table of music genres.
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