MANY OF us can have challenges relating to younger people in the workplace. Now, imagine your job involves music. We talked with Patrick Dunnigan, 66, director of the Florida State University marching band since 1991, on how he keeps the 400-plus-piece Marching Chiefs’ program current.

That’s been a thing since the 1970s. I remember when I was a high school band student myself. My mind was blown when the band director had arranged all these songs by Chicago.

We want the kids in the band to play the music that’s a part of their lives. So, we keep that in mind when we’re selecting music.

I’m now the square guy—I used to be the hip guy—but that’s OK. That’s part of the process. I’m always surprised how much I enjoy learning about the new stuff. I’ve enjoyed discovering artists like Doja Cat and Taylor Swift. I would never have started listening to Taylor Swift if the kids hadn’t been talking about her all the time. —Craig Rosen