“The ultimate goal of Belah Sun Woman is AWARENESS—the conductor’s awareness of his or her impact on the music and individual student awareness of how their playing (sound, style options), attitude, and knowledge influence the interpretation and performance of a musical work. This is not ‘just another piece’ but a significant musical-educational addition to the repertory."

                                                                  —Frank L. Battisti
                                                                     Conductor Emeritus
                                                                     New England Conservatory of Music Wind Ensemble

Belah Sun Woman is a truly remarkable work for young band, a true game-changer for what is possible in performance and musicianship for beginning players, complete with lesson plans and assessment tools unlike anything ever attempted in a work at this level.

First and foremost, Belah is beautifully crafted and musically engaging, written specifically for developing bands by best-selling Australian composer Jodie Blackshaw at the height of her creative powers. Belah is a piece that young musicians will truly enjoy playing and that will delight audiences worldwide.

Even better, Belah Sun Woman represents a pathway to true musicianship for young players. Blackshaw takes students step by step through a series of sequential lesson plans, activities, and games to build the musical skills necessary to perform each of the five movements in this innovative work. Over the course of a school year, performers will play by ear, learn balance and tone, become aware of their own musicianship in the context of other players, and better understand the role of the conductor.

The entire sequence is demonstrated on the included revolutionary DVD. Never before has a DVD been created specifically to demonstrate lesson plans and musicianship for a work for developing band.

In all, Blackshaw employs more than 20 time-proven teaching strategies using the “project piece” model to link five short pieces into an overarching sequence of music and learning.

Together, these components will enable your students to become sensitive, progressive, and collaborative musical thinkers. This is a wonderful work destined to surprise and delight your whole community.