Dry-erase markers that work, a brand new ream of copy paper, and some new music: the keys to a music teacher’s heart at the beginning of the new school year! Whether you're prepping for your first day of beginning band, planning your fall choral rehearsal cycle, or hunting for the right resource to push your intermediate students forward, we've rounded up the newest (and most useful) materials to stock your shelves this fall.

Here's what's new, what's updated, and what's worth a spot in your curriculum this year.

For Instrumental Beginners

Sound Innovations Book 1 for Band & Strings

The method books your beginners rely on just got even better. Sound Innovations Book 1 has been refreshed for both concert band and strings with modernized content and a brand new Spanish translation, making it easier than ever to reach every student in your classroom. Best of all, you don't have to replace your existing library: you can continue to use your older copies with these printable updates.

• Concert Band

• Strings

And yes, it's available in MakeMusic, so your students can practice with instant feedback at home while you track their progress.

The Foundations Series

The Foundations Series is highly popular in MakeMusic, and now there are some valuable conductor scores and curriculum guides available to level up your beginning instruction even more. 

Harry Potter Foundations Full Scores and Curriculum Guide matches the student exercises available in MakeMusic. This publication goes one step forward and includes valuable curricular notes from veteran educators Annie Ray (strings), Darcy Vogt Williams (winds), and Ivan Trac (percussion). Compatible with any other method, this is the ultimate magical extension resource for the students in your room who light up at the first notes of "Hedwig's Theme."

• Strings

• Band
  
  

Foundations: Habits Edition Full Scores and Curriculum Guide is a robust 1:1 extension resource to match the pedagogy in Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician and Habits of a Successful Young String Musician. With student parts available in MakeMusic, this curriculum guide includes guiding text from authors Scott Rush (band), Chris Selby, Margaret Selby, and Sarah Ball (strings).  

If Habits is already the backbone of your beginning program, this is the companion you've been waiting for.

• Band

• Strings

Learn more about Foundations here.

For Advancing Students 

Sound Artistry

Need an intermediate method that is instrument-specific? Look no further. Sound Artistry feels modern, is built on strong pedagogical concepts, and offers that “advancing” bridge for students who aren’t quite ready for collegiate-level etude repertoire. Great for a private lesson setting or to have on hand as an extension resource for ensemble students. 

Sound Innovations Soloist

Intermediate wind, string, and percussion solos ideal for an intermediate player. Written by a diverse slate of recognizable composers. Includes prep exercises and additional support ideal for an intermediate player. Available in MakeMusic (including the prep exercises and accompaniments!) 

For Instrumental and Choral Ensembles

Looking for support for your intermediate wind and string ensembles? Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development is the "secret sauce" that will upgrade your ensemble. These fundamental exercises work for any intermediate-to-advanced concert band, string orchestra, or full orchestra, giving you a daily toolkit for building tone, balance, blend, and intonation from the very first minutes of rehearsal.

Band directors: try out Sound Orchestra Ensemble Development with your top ensemble for some even beefier ensemble skill power-ups (grab the full orchestra wind parts).

Choir Up!

Your new favorite choral resource. Fun and engaging warm-ups, key strategies to build your classroom community, and more, all from Bethany Main. BONUS: all sung warm-ups are included in MakeMusic with modulations and accompaniment—this resource is a powerhouse! 

Your new favorite choral resource. Fun and engaging warm-ups, key strategies to build your classroom community, and more, all from Bethany Main. BONUS: all sung warm-ups are included in MakeMusic with modulations and accompaniment—this resource is a powerhouse! 

The Choral Playbook

One of our most popular choral resources, both in print and in MakeMusic. Highly practical. Fun and engaging. An absolute essential for your bookshelf if you teach choir at any level.  

Sing at First Sight

You may already use this popular sight-singing curriculum for choirs of all levels. With practical pacing, a structured approach, and wise advice from the authors along the way, it’s easy to see why choir programs love this series. While it has already been available in MakeMusic, new this fall are corresponding sight-reading templates in Sight Reading Studio. Soon, you’ll be able to infinitely multiply skill practice with templates designed to be used alongside the logical pacing of this text! Try MakeMusic free today.  

New Releases + Streamlined Shopping 

Music library in need of a refresh? Browse the newest releases here!

If you are purchasing for a school, you can save a ton of time this year by setting up a School PO with our system. We even offer Open POs now to streamline the process even further! Get set up now so that you can get things ordered quickly when you’re in a time crunch later. Don’t let your budgeted funds go to waste!