Instrumental Techniques courses are imperative to prospective instrumental music educators. After all, it is not practical or possible to major in every instrument in a band or orchestra. These classes provide students with a chance to get a basic understanding of the fundamentals covered on each instrument. For wind instruments, these fundamentals include foundations such as embouchure placement and breathing/articulation techniques. Most of these lessons are covered in a limited course of study. Although the instruments are different, many of the techniques, like tonguing and articulation, are consistent. With regards to technical percussion techniques however, things like instrumentation, notation, and performance practices are much more diverse. Since Percussion Techniques courses have one of the widest array of instruments to be covered, one semester is barely enough time to cover all this required material. From marching band to indoor drumline, marching percussion (front line included) is a substantial part of the high school instrumental educator’s focus. A middle school educator must prepare in these areas because they are training the next generation of high school percussionists, and many times they are assistants to the high school director for marching season. Middle school directors are active parts of building a firm musical foundation for the high school ensemble. Still, preparation in this area is lacking. Students studying to become band directors are getting approximately two days of percussion instruction on marching percussion techniques in the general Percussion Techniques course, if any at all. This is too limited a time to devote to a subject that will affect half to all of a high school band director’s year. With the growth of marching percussion popularity, the need to offer a separate Marching Percussion Techniques class should be required in the course offerings for prospective middle and high school band directors.

The Complete Marching Band Resource Manual is the definitive guide to the intricate art of directing college and high school marching bands. Supplemented with musical arrangements, warm-up exercises, and over a hundred drill charts, this manual presents both the fundamentals and the advanced techniques that are essential for successful marching band leadership. The materials in this volume cover every stage of musical direction and instruction, from selecting music and choreographing movements to improving student memorization and endurance to the creation of striking visual configurations through uniform and auxiliary units. Now in its third edition, The Complete Marching Band Resource Manual has been thoroughly updated to reflect new standards for drill design, charting, and musical arrangement. Offering a fresh approach to the essentials of good marching band design, this comprehensive resource shows both veteran and novice band directors how to prepare students to perform seamless and sophisticated musical formations.

Teacher's manual for Percussion Methods course, college level school of music.

A resource about marching percussion for band directors, percussion instructors, and students. Written with the high school percussion program in mind, the information is equally relevant to college marching band, drum corps, and general percussion technique and maintenance.

(Meredith Music Resource). Have you ever wanted to know the secrets to success of today's top marching bands and drumlines and how they achieve excellence? This extraordinary study takes you onto the practice field, inside the meeting room, and into the stadium including the "Five Factors Influencing Excellence" valuable to any high school or college band program. The leaders of eight outstanding organizations reveal their goals for success including: expectations, values, leadership styles, motivational techniques, practice habits, and recruiting strategies. A must-read for band directors, percussion educators, students and anyone pursuing excellence in leadership. (a href="http://youtu.be/-NNaXbjaX08" target="_blank")Click here for a YouTube video on Marching Bands and Drumlines(/a)

You just got a new job as a band director. The principal just shook your hand, and gave you the keys to the bandroom. What do you do now? Practical Techniques for Building the High School Marching Band is for band directors that are new to the profession, are going into a band program that is new or must be rebuilt, or just wants to improve their current program. The book is intended to be a practical source for directors, and covers topics that are not ordinarily covered in music education or instrumental methods classes.