Band historian Richard K. Hansen offers the most thorough work of its kind ever published. In Part 1, he explores the seminal traditions of the ancient Aztecs, the Colonial drum and fife troops, the Golden Age of bands, and the founding of the modern wind band movement. Part 2 takes the major events from Part 1 and puts them in the context of U.S. history, the related arts in Western civilization, and other musical events in America. This outstanding reference is presented in table form, making it an indispensable resource for all band directors and music historians. In Part 3, Hansen points to directions for future research, and looks to a bright future for the wind band tradition.

Each insightful and informative chapter provides a window into the creative process of ten remarkable conductors as they share a captivating range of approaches into the world of musical expression. When is it appropriate to "change" a score? How can programming contribute? How much is too much "interpretation?" These and other questions are addressed in the quest to elevate performances to the next level.

This book from one of the nation's most sought-after motivators and speakers on education and leadership is the book that you've been looking for! Includes sections on the art of teaching, attitude development, student leadership, thoughts about competition, and one special section for band directors only. (Don't let this keep you away, however, because you're a choral director!) This book will enlighten you, lift your spirits, educate you, inspire you and allow you to release your unlimited potential.

Essential repair techniques as well as suggestions for instrument maintenance are provided in a format that is easy to follow and intuitively organized. You will be guided step by step through each repair with condensed and easy to understand instructions. Over sixty photographs and illustrations are provided in a spiral bound flip book that will be easy and convenient to use.

World-class bassist and best-selling author Barry Green has spent his life learning and showing others how to bring music to life. In this innovative, imaginative text, he shares what he has discovered since his groundbreaking book The Inner Game of Music inspired musicians the world over to reach their potential in performance and learning. Three distinct sections delve deeply into the methodology, techniques, and inspiration required to energize and enliven music making for amateurs and professionals alike. Green reaches inside to recount life-changing experiences, and outside to friends and fellow musicians who have discovered how to create joy and excitement in performance. A stimulating series of activities and reflections using YouTube video clips helps the reader/teacher to sing, conduct, play, move and shake with violinist Joshua Bell, conductor Leonard Bernstein and even with Martin Luther King Jr. during his "I Have A Dream" speech.

The Choral Challenge is a handbook of solutions for common and not-so-common problems facing choral conductors at all experience levels. From "A" for agility to "Y" for yawning, Michael Kemp pours a lifetime of experience living and working in the choral world into this truly remarkable and practical book. He starts with a myriad of quick-fix solutions to common "choral challenges" and then provides in-depth explanations for choir directors who need more. He follows with sections on planning and preparation (including 62 warm-up exercises) as well as an enlightening discussion on motivating and recruiting choir members. The result is a comprehensive, incredibly useful and well-organized resource!

Faced with persistent intonation problems in their own choirs, authors James Jordan and Matthew Mehaffey developed an innovative new method of choral ensemble solfege that offers dramatic improvement in tuning any choral ensemble. Not just a temporary fix, this method encourages the building of intonation skills within the choral rehearsal setting, using solfege syllables in creative ways to develop aural capabilities in each individual singer. The related video shows these techniques in action with surprising results. Topics such as good vocal production, physical movement and modal analysis are also discussed to aid in the teaching and learning process. Practical and effective, this is a helpful tool for choir directors at every level.

This unique self-study guide distills the essentials of good vocal technique into eleven concise, accessible lessons. Prepared by acclaimed conductor and pedagogue James Jordan, it is a perfect guide for amateur and novice choir members who wish to improve their own singing technique and better understand the singing process. Topics include: good intonation and tuning; breathing; support; resonance; vowel colors; range and diction. A must read for singers, studio teachers and choral conductors alike.

Refine your conducting technic through the study of left-hand development, independence, expressive gestures, delicate transitions, fractional entrances and cutoffs, starting and stopping, establishing new tempi, and changing meters to name just a few. An added bonus is the inclusion of helpful videos, which are viewable free online, that provide clear conducting models. A must for every conductor wanting to improve technique or instructors looking for effective teaching materials.

This is a pioneering yet practical book and DVD devoted to all aspects of the women's choir - a groundbreaking contribution and a true collaborative effort from top professionals in the field. For the first time in a book, choral leaders bring together historical, philosophical, psychological, sociological, pedagogical, and real-world considerations to the women's choir - information missing from most choral methods and conducting texts. Areas of focus include: working with beginning, high school, collegiate, and community women's choirs; improving the sound of women's choirs; suggested repertoire for women's choirs; composing for women's choirs; building community within the ensemble; warm-ups and rehearsal strategies; building excellence in women's choirs. Sections also focus on mentoring, auditions, seating arrangements, historical women's repertoire, healthy vocal development, gender issues, history, status of the women's choir, and much more. This book features research, practical insights, and round-table discussions. The included DVD demonstrates choral techniques and teaching ideas with two women's choirs: Aurora, from Luther College, conducted by Sandra Peter; and The University of Kentucky Women's Choir, conducted by Lori Hetzel. Conducting Women's Choirs is, quite simply, essential for anyone who is involved in the women's choir movement and interested in the culmination of decades of experience and wisdom by leaders in the profession.