Recommended Books for Band Directors
Best Music for High School Band
by Thomas L. Dvorak, et al
Manhattan Beach Music
These books are a nice resource. I particularly like that they include information about ranges, duration and the type of score available.
Composers on Composing for Bandby Mark Camphouse
GIA Publications
Everything Mark Camphouse touches seems to turn to gold. This book is no exception. Several of the world's most prominent composers discuss their background and approach to composing for band.
Pathways: A Guide for Energizing & Enriching Band, Orchestra, & Choral Programsby Joseph Alsobrook
GIA Publications
This wonderful book deserves a re-read every year or so. Each chapter is broken down by the various "gifts" we as music teachers can give our students. Very inspiring.
Guide to Score Study for the Wind Band Conductorby Frank Battisti and Robert Garofalo
Meredith Music Publications
A terrific text. This book takes you step by step through the score study process. Highly recommended. Drastically changed my approach to rehearsal preparation.
Practicing for Young Musiciansby Harvey Snitkin
HMS Publications
Written to be read by kids, I find the tone of this book to be a little bit odd. Nevertheless, there are some good suggestions and it's the only book of its kind that I know of.
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Peopleby Stephen R. Covey
Free Press
Sometimes it feels like we must do more with less every year! One of the best selling "personal improvement" books of the last two decades. Very relevant to our profession.
Intangibles of Musical Performanceby Ed Lisk
Meredith Music
One of the greatest challenges of teaching young musicians is moving "beyond the notes." Ed Lisk does a marvelous job describing how to teach expression. This text influenced my teaching more than I can describe.
Teaching Music with Passionby Peter Boonshaft
Meredith Music Publications
Books like this really recharge my battery. It's filled not only with his exeriences and anecdotes, but with practical suggestions to improving your rehearsals.
Improving Intonation in Band and Orchestra Performanceby Robert J. Garofalo
Meredith Music Publications
An absolute must have book. It includes pages that can be copied for each student.
Blueprint for Bandby Robert J. Garofalo
Meredith Music Publications
Even though this was written over 20 years ago, it is wonderful guide to structuring a comprehensive band curriculum. One of the "core" music ed. books.
American Bandby Kristen Laine
Gotham
An easy addition to our recommended list. Subtitled "Music, Dreams, and coming of Age in the Heartland," American Band follows the Concord High School Marching Band (Indiana) as they attempt to repeat as Indiana Class B State Marching Band Champions in 2004. Perhaps most amazing is that you can imagine the events of book taking place in hundreds of bandrooms across the country. Once started, it's very difficult to put down!
Best Music for Beginning Bandby Thomas L. Dvorak, et al
Manhattan Beach Music
These books are a nice resource. I particularly like that includes information about ranges, duration and the type of score available.
The Creative Director: Alternative Rehearsal Techniquesby Edward S. Lisk
Meredith Music Publications
The title says it all. Unique approaches to handling the different musical and technical issues in rehearsal.
The Modern Conductor (6th Edition)by Elizabeth A. Green
Prentice Hall
The best conducting book out there. Expensive, but worth it.
Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Volume 1GIA Publication
Every band director should have these books in their library. They are an indispensable resource of teaching strategy, philosophy, and repertoire.
Best Music for Young Bandby Thomas L. Dvorak, et al
Manhattan Beach Music
These books are a nice resource. I particularly like that includes information about ranges, duration and the type of score available.
The Practice Revolutionby Philip Johnston
PracticeSpot Press
This is an amazingly comprehensive book on practicing. It's a ground breaking text designed to help us help our students move away from practicing for minutes and move toward practicing for results.
