The Standard of Excellence band method combines a strong performance-centered approach with music theory, music history, ear training, listening, composition, improvisation, and interdisciplinary and multicultural studies. The result is the most complete band method available anywhere.

Features include:

• Full color drawings and color-coding of important text and music motivate and inform.
• Three starting systems help ensure positive results in any beginning situation.
• FOR ... ONLY exercises offer idiomatic solutions to the unique challenges of each instrument.
• Excellerators (advanced supplemental exercises) reinforce and enrich performance basics.
• Music from over 20 countries, with correlated enrichments, encourages multicultural study.
• Achievement Lines and GO FOR EXCELLENCE! test lines ensure objective assessment of students' accomplishments.

Note: This method book does NOT include play-along accompaniments. If you want play-along accompaniments, you can either purchase this item combined with the "Standard of Excellence Enhancer Kit" (sold separately), or purchase "Standard of Excellence Enhanced" (a different item which has the same content as this book but includes the CDs as well).