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Building a Successful Middle School Band Program (p
The Fundamental Elements for Building a Successful Middle School Band Program
Compiled and Edited by Chip De Stefano Chris Grifa
Contributors: Kim Bain, Chip De Stefano, Rick Ghinelli, Corey Graves, Chris Grifa, Wendy Hart Higdon, Robert Herrings, Kazuhiko Tsuchiya, and Heath Wolf
Written by an all-star team of music educators with over two hundred years of combined experience and success, Foundations presents the fundamental elements necessary for building, maintaining, and growing a successful middle school band program. Topics covered include:
• Creating a culture of excellence • Professional development and self-care • Organizing your program and band room • Teaching students how to practice • Developing fundamental performance skills • Recruitment • Student motivation • Communicating with the administration and school community • Keeping things in perspective
The ideas in this book have been thoroughly researched, tested, revised, and, most importantly, are used in the authors’ own classrooms every day to achieve remarkable results. Guided by their skill and passion, the authors present actionable and practical advice that can be implemented in the classroom today and for years to come.
Chip De Stefano has been director of bands at McCracken Middle School in Skokie, Illinois, since 1996. He is active nationally as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator, and he received his Master of Music Education degree from Northwestern University.
Chris Grifa is the director of bands at Clay Middle School in Carmel, Indiana, and has been teaching since 2004. He serves as a clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator for concert bands and marching bands across the country, and he received his Master of Music Education degree from the University of Florida.
