“The next best thing to holding the baton myself is to help other directors produce great bands through great literature.”

Canadian Drew Parker conducted award winning middle school, high school and community bands for 13 years before he entered the music industry. He quickly gained a fine reputation in the band literature area, combining his understanding of what works in the band room and his association with major publishers, writers and arrangers. Check out Drew’s Gold Series for the best Band and Jazz Music.

Drew’s Gold Series   BEST SELECTION OF LITERATURE FOR YOU & YOUR STUDENTS

Drew was a tough award-winning director and his standards in picking literature for your ensemble is just as hard-nosed.

Jazz Music

Rock Hero | Victor Lopez | Grade 1 | Rock | B+
A straight up rock beat drives this easy-to-play chart even for young players with no experience. Melody is interesting with breaks where you expect them to be. Open written solos for any instrument. This is fun and will work for any occasion from a composer who really understand this level.

Sack of Woe | Adderley/Mike Kamuf | Grade 2 | Straight 8′s | B+
Alternating between a straight eighth groove and a swing feel, this chart is infectious. Tempo is flexible, has solos space for alto and trumpet and a great shout chorus. For concert or contest, this is a great new chart.

Work in Progress | Gordon Goodwin | Grade 3 | Swing | B+
The charts Goodwin writes for his “Big Phat Band” are beyond most school groups but he has started to develop a series of charts for younger ensembles. Work in Progress is wide open for solos but has that very sophisticated lead line and great rhythm lines to pull it all together. Here’s a great way to grow your band through great charts – not a new idea – but a good one!

Scrapple From the Apple | Parker/Bandman | Grade 3 | Swing | B+
There is really no way to teach jazz to young musicians without playing the tunes. On anyone’s list of “tunes to know”, this is right up there and the arranger has provided a marvelous vehicle to let you do your thing. I would pick this even if my dog wasn’t named “Charlie Parker”! This is a good investment for your library.