Resources for Band Directors

Ten Things That Will Have a Remarkable Impact on Your Success

Set ridiculously high standards for yourself. Continue learning, always strive to improve as a musician. Remember that students are a reflection of their teacher. They will only work as hard as you are working and they will only practice as much as you are preparing and practicing yourself.
Find band programs to model yours after.
In the fall, program for your weaknesses. In the spring, program for your strengths. If you have weaker section leader, make sure they get at least one solo, even if it's a short one, at the first concert.
Set goals for yourself. Have the kids set goals for themselves.
Bring your principal and superintendent to the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and IMEA All-State Conference. Let them see what the finest schools in the country are doing. They also need to see why these conferences are so important to your professional development so that there aren't any issues when you ask for the conference release day.
Start a private lesson program.
Invite the best musicians/conductors you know to work with your students.
Keep kids active in area honor bands. They need to be exposed to students their age that play at a higher level than they do.
Begin a CD recording project when the bands reach an acceptable performance level. Give them to other band directors like they're candy. It will have a positive effect on your programs statewide and national reputation and exposure.
Set very high standards for the quality and difficulty of the music you perform.

Don't forget the classics! Stop looking for the next Folk Song Suite and start performing Folk Song Suite.
Select music in which the musical difficulty meets or exceeds the technical difficulty.
Look for works in the standard band literature that may fit your ensemble well. A work that may otherwise be considered to difficult for the middle school band may be accessible if only one movement is performed. (The Holst Suites, English Folk Song Suite, William Byrd Suite, etc...)
Stay away from brand new literature (except from those composers and publishers that you absolutely love/trust).
Beware of formula composers.
Don't be afraid to bail out on a work that doesn't meet your musical expectations after spending some rehearsal time.
Don't confuse audience appeal with musical depth.
Plan early, and take your time. Some of the most important decisions you will make as an educator are selecting the works that you will perform.
Don't perform everything you rehearse.
Perform often. Get through as much literature as you can each year.
Don't be afraid to rewrite the music. Modify parts for students that are struggling. Write in doublings for weaker sections. Add percussion parts so that all students are involved. Just be sure to maintain the intent of the composer and arranger.
Choose an authentic transcription over a watered down arrangement
Don't buy bad music. It only encourages publishers to churn out more of it.

McCracken Middle School: Loads of free resources. Free arrangements, exercises and articles.
BandDirector.com: A great resource filled with how-to articles, interviews and videos.
Vandercook College of Music Free Resources: Faculty created resources and handouts from various conference presentations. Lots of useful information.