Recommended Books for Band Directors

The Practice Revolution
by 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.

Intangibles of Musical Performance
by 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.

Guide to Score Study for the Wind Band Conductor
by 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.

Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band, Volume 1
Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band, Volume 2
GIA Publications

A companion series to Teaching Music Through Performance in Band. The initial chapter texts are particularly strong. We revamped our recruitment based on these texts a saw a dramatic increase in numbers.

Composers on Composing for Band, Volume 1
Composers on Composing for Band, Volume 2
Composers on Composing for Band, Volume 3
by 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.

The Modern Conductor (6th Edition)
by Elizabeth A. Green
Prentice Hall

The best conducting book out there. Expensive, but worth it.

Improving Intonation in Band and Orchestra Performance
by Robert J. Garofalo
Meredith Music Publications

An absolute must have book. It includes pages that can be copied for each student.

Teaching Music with Purpose
by Peter Loel Boonshaft
Meredith Music

New addition. Short review soon!

Best Music for Beginning Band
by 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.

Teaching Music with Passion
by 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.

Pathways: A Guide for Energizing & Enriching Band, Orchestra, & Choral Programs
by 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.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
by 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.

American Band
by 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 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.

Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Volume 1
Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Volume 2
Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Volume 3
Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Volume 4
Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Volume 5
Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Volume 6
Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Volume 7
Teaching Music Through Performance in Band, Volume 8
GIA Publications

Every band director should have these books in their library. They are an indispensable resource of teaching strategy, philosophy, and repertoire.

Practicing for Young Musicians
by 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.

Blueprint for Band
by 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.

Teaching Music With Promise
by Peter Boonshaft
Meredith Music Publications

Another great book in this series by Peter Boonshaft. He just has a great knack for teaching great lessons in an interesting and enjoyable way!

Conductor, Teacher, Leader
by Edward S. Lisk
Meredith Music Publications

Another amazing book by the leader in band pedagogy. Particularly interesting in different in this text are the descriptions of the "Leading the Way" sessions and other advocacy stuff.

Best Music for Young Band
by 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 Techniques
by Edward S. Lisk
Meredith Music Publications

The title says it all. Unique approaches to handling the different musical and technical issues in rehearsal.