Teaching Band and Orchestra: Methods and Materials

by Lynn G. Cooper

Teaching Band and Methods and Materials is a classic in the field of instrumental music educationthe ideal text for college instrumental students and an invaluable reference for practicing teachers. This book covers every critical area in the professional life of band and orchestra teachers at the beginning and secondary levels. Author Lynn G. Cooper shares the experience and knowledge he has gained from more than 40 years of teaching instrumental music and music education. Topics include recruiting and retention, creating lesson plans, assessment, curriculum development, selecting literature, running effective rehearsals, organizing concerts, and much more. This Second Edition is significantly expanded and updated, including major new sections on advocacy, technology, and the challenges of teaching middle school students. There are new suggestions for teaching strings, completely new and expanded string and full orchestra literature lists, and more suggestions for the non-string player who is assigned a string class. Also included in this Second Edition are additional student assessment strategies, updated Suggested Band Literature Lists, and more examples of effective warm-up and technique-building literature for rehearsals. Teaching Band and Methods and Materials also goes into detail about the administrative realities of being a music teacher, from the job search to fundraising to motivating your students. A plethora of forms, sample letters, charts, and lists of suggested literature round out this enlightening text. Sample course syllabi and additional supplemental resources are available on line. Teaching Band and Methods and Materials provides instrumental music teachers with the tools necessary to be successful in the classroom or on the podium.

Genres: Music

408 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this book being useful & quality.

[Bill Stutzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very readable and well-organized, comprehensive look at what it takes to teach orchestra and band, particularly from an administrative standpoint. Cooper is generous to share practical systems and suggestions for running everything from rehearsals to multi-faceted programs, and as a teacher with a few years experience I was both encouraged more in what I already do well and challenged to improve in my weaker areas. The perspective assumes a public-school setting with plenty of educational philosophy, but included is a nice history of music education in America and a look at different philosophies without tipping too much of a bias for one or other modern philosophy. I plan to return to this book for a number of good ideas as a reference for future possibilities, even though my own class does not yet face many of the situations he addresses (e.g. size, scope, opportunities, vision, etc.). This isn't a book that will teach you every detail of "how to" on every instrument or type of ensemble, but it comes well-sourced with many signposts to other valuable texts and materials to pursue (as well as others you can do without), several of which I plan to find and read. On the whole, I found this a very helpful resource that I hope will benefit my teaching this year and beyond.