Sound Fundamentals Band Method

In 2014 I wrote the Sound Fundamentals Band Book #1 and posted it on my website PDF Band Music website as a free download.  My thinking about the project was two-fold.  First, I knew that there are many schools that simply did not have the money to run beginning band programs and I hoped that my small contribution would help those in need.  Secondly, I wanted to write a method that progressed more slowly.  The band methods on the market today are excellent and the technology connected with these books is awesome. But, I feel that most books progress too rapidly for the very young band student.

At this point over 2000 music instructors have downloaded the book.  I am unsure how many directors are actually using the book for daily instruction and to be honest, this is a bit frustrating.  But occasionally someone does write and tells their story of using Sound Fundamentals.  I'd like to share parts of the letter I received last week.  I have redacted the school district name from the letter to protect the identity of the author.
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Hi Tom,

I found information about Sound Fundamentals on the Internet about 3 weeks ago. I downloaded copies and donated a modest sum through PayPal. I teach in an underprivileged near Chicago. We have a 100% free and reduced lunch and breakfast program. The District is approximately 75% Hispanic, 12% African-American, and all sorts of nationalities make up the rest. I have been teaching there for several years.

I love what i do but have been very frustrated in teaching these kids. They have no self-confidence and are scared to learn to read music. Three years ago I wrote a short method to help reinforce reading before going into the book.  That helped a lot.

Once I found your book, I downloaded it and used it the first day after Christmas vacation. Almost immediately I had kids confidently reading for the first time. Their confidence level was obvious in the first half hour. By the second day I gave a copy to my boss and told her about the incredible difference I was seeing.

The look on the kid's faces is incredible. Today an autistic boy read and played everything from 1-26 perfectly. He actually spoke in class today for the first time. I have told them that I will print up a prompt and they need to write one paragraph about how your book has helped them.

I am sold on these books.  There are a few typos. I will catalog them and send them to you. I will be only using the first 25 pages and then get them into their books. We use Essential Elements, a book that doesn't work at all with our students.

I just wanted to let you know what an impact your books are making on about 100 underprivileged, underachieving students in my school.  The District has 24,000 students. Our band and orchestra program continues to grow.

I teach under the stairs, in doorways, and in a closet with electrical panels and extra coats that are given to kids who are not dressed appropriately.  We have "Learning Jackets" under the stairs in one building because it is so cold. I am grateful to have a small impact on their lives.

I am so grateful for this resource.  I hope to report more successes as the weeks progress.

Sincerely

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Sound Fundamentals is available HERE and it is free.  I am currently working on Book 2 of Sound Fundamentals and hope to complete the book before the start of SY 2017-2018.

Choosing Middle School Band Sheet Music

Perhaps one of the most difficult decisions a middle school band director must make is choosing appropriate music.  Balancing the pedagogical value and the musical integrity of each piece is not a simple task.  In addition, often schools have specific curricular goals which music teachers must be aware.  For example, many elementary schools use various themes throughout the school year such as Black History Month, the Presidents, or Celebrating Patriotic Holidays and it is incumbent upon band directors to choose music that enhances these themes.  Of all these factors, most importantly the music teacher most choose music based on the musical skill level of musicians in the band.
One of the common mistakes many new band directors make, particularly at the middle school level, is choosing music which is too difficult.  I recently adjudicated a band festival in which a small school 7th grade band played a piece with 1st trumpet parts above the staff, exposed low brass parts, and overly technical clarinet parts.  The piece was simply not appropriate for the band and the fault for the low ratings was directly the responsibility of a band director that did not take the time to realistically evaluate the students in the band.
Evaluating the performance level of the students in a band should be the first task of the band director before making any sheet music selections.  I’ve heard it said that a band is only as strong as the weakest player and this may hold some credence, although I personally don’t completely agree.  Perhaps the easiest way to evaluate exactly where the band is in terms of performance level is to use any of  the excellent band methods available on the market today.  Pass out a level 3 book to the most advanced middle school band to discover quickly where the strengths and weaknesses are.  As you play exercises in the book, take notes and record exactly where problems exist.  You will very quickly know what your students can and cannot play and you are ready to move on the the next step of choosing music.
Most music on the market today is rated from grade 1 to grade 5.  Grade 5 music is primarily restricted to college or professional level bands.  Middle school music teachers should be looking at levels 1 and 2.  Generally, level 1 music will be limited to rhythms which include whole, half, quarter and eighth notes.  Trumpet range is limited to notes within the staff.  Clarinets parts do not normally cross the break, although when 2 parts are present, the 1st clarinet may cross the break.
Level 2 music simply expands on level 1.  Rhythms may include sixteenth notes and dotted rhythms.  Some level 2 music also is written in 6/8.  Ranges for brass extend upward one or two notes and clarinets are expected to play over the break.

What universities forget to tell new high school band directors

Picture this:  The school year starts tomorrow and you are the new band director in town.  Guess what?  Your pep band is scheduled to perform in 2 weeks.  No problem you say..but wait.
It is the first first day of class and as you talk to your students about the responsibility of being a dedicated band member,  you discover that between the football team, the volleyball team, the cross country team, and cheerleaders,  80% of your band students can’t perform with the pep band.  As the panic sets in,  you think..oh, I’ll just not perform.  Unfortunately, ‘just not perform’ is not an option. If you think that admin and the community has sympathy for your situation, I’ll sell you a bridge in Brooklyn cheap.  You have to put it together…so where do you start?
Perhaps your most difficult task will be to find pep band music that is playable by your now depleted band.  How do you find band director sheet music for pep band written in such a way that the lead lines which are normally played by trumpets are doubled by other instruments so that the melody is heard even when you are down to 2 trumpet players?  This is not so easy if you limit your search to most pop tune arrangements available today at major publishing houses.  And to further complicate the issue, if you are able to find a suitable title at a publishing house, often the price of printed sheet music is prohibitive.  Remember…you’re the newbie.  It’s not easy to ask your principal for money when you’ve only been on the job for a couple weeks.
One possible solution and a solution that I encourage you to explore is to check out the secondary market of music publishers for appropriate music at cheap prices.  There are several online music firms that offer quality downloadable music at great prices and these firms should not be overlooked.
One firm which stands out is PDF Band Music at https://pdfbandmusic.com.  Their music is instantly downloadable and is cheap. They even offer a complete beginning band system titled Sound Fundamentals at no cost.  Check them out.
Once you survive those first public performances you’ll get the kind of administrative and community support you need to build your program and the memories of those initial problems will fade.  You’ll love being a band director.  It’s a great job.

The Music of Jeffrey T. Parthun Sr.

Jeffrey T. Parthun, Sr. lives in Lafayette, Indiana.  He and his wife, Kim, have four grown children and one grandchild.  He is a band director and department chairman in the Lafayette, IN School Corporation.  During his 30+ year Indiana teaching career, he has taught instrumental music at every level from elementary band/orchestra through applied percussion at Purdue University.   He was just elected as vice president of the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA).  His educational publications are on required lists in Indiana, New York and Texas.

The arrangements and compositions of Mr. Parthun can be found at:

https://pdfbandmusic.com

Some selections by Mr. Parthun include:

• Long Live Magyors
•   Cielito Lindo
• Leaps and Bounds
• Peabody Street
• Brahms for Brass Quintet
• Blues Party
• Hard Knox Percussion Trio
• Mulberry March
• Haydn Dance