Take Note

Teaching Music through Performance is a best-selling series of books and CDs that are theoretical, practical, and analytical. Written, researched, and compiled by scholars with a wealth of teaching and conducting experience, this series enables conductors,  educators, and students to move beyond the printed page toward full musical awareness. Sheet Music Plus had the opportunity to learn from the publisher what inspired the creation of the series.

1. When was the Teaching Music through Performance series developed?

The first edition of Volume 1 was for band and was released at the Midwest Clinic in 1997. This year, 2017 is the 20^th anniversary of the series.  The Teaching Music through Performance series now includes 26 volumes, 16 for band, three for jazz, three for orchestra, and four for choir. In addition, each volume has accompanying CDs.

2. What gap(s) in the curriculum do you feel this series fills?

This best-selling series of books and CDs has quickly become the indispensable resource for music educators searching for the best possible music at all levels (school, community and professional). Each book includes analyses of select pieces and insights from national leaders in the field.

100 works are presented by difficulty in each of the primary texts (band, orchestra, and choir). The first volume of the band, orchestra and choir editions presents what many consider to be the “Core” literature for each performing medium. In all volumes, Teacher Resource Guides are provided that include detailed information about the composer and/or arranger of the composition, the work, historical perspective, technical considerations, stylistic considerations, analysis of musical elements along with recommended teaching strategies, form and structure, suggested listening references, and cross references to additional resources.

Recordings by top ensembles make this series truly invaluable. The purpose of the entire Teaching Music through Performance series is to encourage all conductors to develop more comprehensive approaches for preparing their groups for performances with understanding and to teach about the music.

3. Who are the authors of the books?

The co-principal authors of the band series and founders of the series are leaders in their fields. They are from some of the top collegiate wind band programs in the country, including:

Larry Blocher, Dean of the College of Communications and Fine Arts at Troy University, Troy, Alabama.

Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Director of Wind Studies, Conductor of the Wind Symphony, and Regents Professor of Music at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.

Ray E. Cramer, past president of The Midwest Clinic and former Director of Bands at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.

Tim Lautzenheiser, Founder and President of Attitude Concepts for Today, Inc., in Bluffton, Indiana.

Edward S. Lisk, former Director of Bands and Music Supervisor of the Oswego City School District in New York.

Richard Miles, Professor of Music and Director of Bands Emeritus at Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky.

4. What was the first book in the Teaching Music through Performance series?

The first book in the series, Volume 1, was introduced in December of 1997 for band. Volume 1 was later revised and the second edition was released in 2010.

5. What is the best-selling book in the series?

The best seller in the series is Volume 1 in each of the categories of band, orchestra, choir and jazz. The first volume or each is used as a primary textbook in hundreds of colleges and universities on an international level. In addition, a complimentary 15-week shell for an Undergraduate Seminar in Wind Band Literature and an 8-week shell for a Graduate Seminar in Wind Band Literature are available.

Teaching Music Through Performance has received high accolades from many of the top music education journals. Here are a few:

“This series is a ‘must-have’ for all band directors.” (School Band and Orchestra)

“The entire output in this series from GIA Publications is a commendable resource for music educators, and volumes are offered in the areas of band, orchestra, chorus, and jazz. (Music Educators Journal)

“…a series of invaluable resources for the instrumental music educator. (Music Educators Journal)

“These materials will surely repay the purchasing price for years to come, and I recommend them highly.” (The Choral Journal)

“The Teaching Music through Performance series has done it again. It has provided a book filled with techniques from masters in the field and information on choral selections that saves me the time of researching, and it has inspired me to improve my teaching.” (Music Educators Journal)

“The Teaching Music through Performance in Band series is the single, most significant contribution to the wind band world made during my career. ”

John C. Carmichael, Ph.D.
Director of Bands
Professor of Music
University of South Florida