Welcome to Skill Builders For Middle School Band! I’m confident your students will grow in skill and understanding as they dive in, whether individually or in an ensemble setting. 

This book was developed through years of practical experience with middle school band students and has second and third-year players in mind. Skill Builders is unique in the following ways:

• WARM-UPS that simultaneously address key concepts for each instrument group - it’s efficient and effective! Here’s an example of what occurs during a single warm-up:

  • Brass students play lip slurs.

  • Clarinetists cross the break.

  • Other woodwind players are introduced to an alternate fingering.

  • Percussionists learn or review a rudiment. 

• TECHNIQUE DRILLS - Once learned, these can be easily incorporated into rehearsal warm-ups. They develop reading, note recognition, and dexterity. 

• PERCUSSION BOOK, TWO-IN-ONE - The percussion book has two staves, one for snare and bass, the other for keyboard percussion. This allows you the discretion to assign parts without the inconvenience of a separate book. In a few brief situations, all percussionists must play keyboard percussion where the content deals exclusively with pitch (e.g., key signature study).

• IMPROVISATION - There is a brief unit for improvisation, carefully designed to be approachable for all students. A fun and safe template is created through which you can utilize call and response, student volunteers, or simultaneous soloists - which is handy for apprehensive students.

• UNITS OF STUDY - The entire book is organized by units of study, each designed by an educator to make the best use of students’ time. They can be expanded when introduced, and then reviewed later as short warm-up activities. These units can be seen at a glance in the table of contents.