"Don't even think about concert band results. Focus on fundamentals."
I recently spoke with a few close friends that happen to be successful and accomplished band directors and this seems to be the resounding answer for their spring strategy. One of them said, "If you were to write a technique workout that explored articulation and scale exercises in a few of the common major and minor keys that would be incredible!" So I did, and you're getting them for free. More on that later.
Most directors I spoke with are doubling down on fundamentals this spring. The focus is not on ensemble sound, but individual training on breathing, tone quality, articulation, and intonation. If these are addressed in the spring, the eventual ensemble sound will be better than ever.
To help you supercharge your spring rebuild, we've put together a free technique workout that can be used for in-person rehearsals, or as virtual assignments for your students. If you'd like SmartMusic or MusicFirst files to use for assessment contact us and we'll send those over. If there are additional parts you need (alternate transpositions) we'd be glad to furnish those for free as well.
We hope this can be of help to you in the spring! If it is, let us know how you used it and how it helped. And if you haven't gotten a chance to check out our brand new marching band shows for small-school bands just like yours, you can see and hear them here.
Let us know if there's anything else we can do to help!
Luke