This page is for you. When I started this class, I had no idea how hard it would be to find and afford the things I would need in order to give my students a good band education. Most compositions and sites geared towards band directors assume one has infinite budget and ideal instrumentation. I'm not grumpy at them - they just don't understand the challenges we face. The compositions that sound good with a full band just frustrate my little group. The donations from parents and students aren't enough to purchase name-brand cymbals. You know the drill. You learn what types of music to look for (if the pandemic did anything good, it was the resurgence of Flex Arrangements) and you learn what equipment you can live without (an actual band room, for example).
As the years have passed, I have found several go-to resources that have helped me be a better band director. Hopefully they can help you as well!
-Jacqueline
These sites and playlists are useful for my students because we only meet once a week. By using these resources, students can take charge of their instrumental music education and be better prepared for class. Of course, no recorded lesson can take the place of live music education, but these lessons make an excellent supplement to class.
The Unites States Army Field Band - Instrument demos. I use this mostly before the school year starts to help students choose their instrument. If they don't know what they want to play, watching a demo of the instruments can help them narrow down their interest - some kids are drawn to the look of an instrument, some to the sound.
The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own"
Look for their Beginning Instrument Series (ex. Beginning Oboe Series), as well as their Intermediate/Advanced Instrument Series.
Vic Firth 40 Rudiments
I really like that they show both the notation of the rudiments as well as how to play them. I'm working on it, but percussion techniques are largely magical to me.
Given a minuscule budget, one has to get creative, and it is always nice when the creative people publish their efforts for others to use! I'm so thankful that other band directors have had the same challenges I have in terms of time, budget, and instrumentation, and that they have taken the time to create resources for those of us in the same boat.
The links below are for affordable class materials (like percussion instruments!) and affordable, high-quality compositions that work well for small bands. I'll update as I find more.
Logistics and Communication
BAND - free! Easy to use because it's very similar to other social media sites. It gives you the ability to lock down your class so that it is completely private and unsearchable. Settings which allow you to invite students under 13 also disable things like chat. I use it to post practice assignments and class reminders/announcements. I like that parents and students can have access to the class. You can upload worksheets and handouts.
Percussion Equipment
Steve Weiss Music sells Weiss brand percussion instruments which are not only affordable but also sound good!
Compositions - Sites from which I have purchased/downloaded music.
John McAllister Music
- Full Band Compositions, grades VE-A (very easy - advanced). Includes recordings/videos of almost every composition.
- Adaptable Duets, Trios, Quartets, and Quintets - think flex arrangements. I often use the adaptable quintets for my full band because I don't have to worry about instrumentation.
- Warmups - FREE! And they come with online backing tracks, which makes warming up at home so much more interesting!
Free Band Music, Robert Strauch
- Full Band Compositions and Arrangements - FREE! Also has warmups, rhythms, fingering charts, and technique books. All of it is free downloads. There is a link for recordings of some of the compositions, but it's broken.
PDF Band Music
- Full Band and Flex Band Arrangements - affordable. Digital Downloads. Beginning to Grade 3. Includes recordings.
- Solo and Ensemble pieces
Beginning.Band
- Full Band and Flex Band Arrangements - affordable. Digital Downloads or Print. Grades 1/2 - 2+
- Solo and Ensemble pieces
- Method Books and Warmups - Free!
Randall Standridge
- Full Band and Flex Band - definitely not cheap, but if you can save your pennies, you will not regret buying this music! These composers (and specifically Mr. Standridge) write music that engages and teaches.
Garner Ensemble Project - Free flex duets, trios, quartets
Other - sites I've found but haven't yet utilized
36 Chorales for Band - Free
Teach Band 101
Free Concert Band Music
Joel Knecht Music
PMHMusic - Free Chorales, Warmups, etc