Learn the ins and outs of leading a band to musical excellence from a veteran with more than twenty-five years of practical, real-world experience. Author Thomas McCauley writes in an engaging, conversational style that feels as if you are chatting over coffee, learning about insights, mistakes, revelations, and triumphs that would help any band director. Chapter topics include:

• Job interviews
• You are the new band director...now what?
• Repertoire is important...choose wisely
• Study and preparation
• The Lesson Plan is the score
• The first ten minutes
• It’s always the person on the podium
• Competition
• Smart instrument substitutions
• Mental resolve
• Marvelous materials to help you on your journey

Join McCauley as he discusses the universal challenges band directors face on the way to growing their band into its musical best.

Thomas McCauley is Director of University Bands in the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University in New Jersey. He is an active member of the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). 

Contents: Preface; Introduction; Chapter 1: Interviews; Chapter 2: You Are the New Band Director...Now What?; Chapter 3: Repertoire Is Important...Choose Wisely; Chapter 4: Study and Preparation; Chapter 5: The Lesson Plan Is in the Score; Chapter 6: The First Ten Minutes; Chapter 7: It's Always the Person on the Podium; Chapter 8: Competition; Chapter 9: Smart Instrument Substitutions; Chapter 10: Mental Resolve; Chapter 11: Marvelous Materials to Help You on Your Journey

With contributions by Shelley Axelson and Marissa Silverman.