Available in MakeMusic Cloud

Teachers keep coming back to Alfred's Basic Piano Library, Lesson Book 1A by Willard A. Palmer and Lesson Book 2, which together account for thousands of adoptions. Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone remains the standard snare drum method, while Accent on Achievement by John O'Reilly has become the go-to beginning band series for clarinet, trumpet, and flute. For strings, the Suzuki Cello School continues to anchor private and group instruction.

Recent additions include The Gift of Giving, a string orchestra conductor score and parts by Brian Balmages, and Christmas Magic, available in both SAB and SATB choral octavo arrangements by Laufey.

Brian Balmages is a prolific composer with over 500 titles in the collection, known for writing across orchestral, band, and chamber idioms with works performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Sydney Opera House. His Measures of Success Clarinet Book 1 is widely adopted in beginning band programs.

Robert Sheldon stands among the most performed composers of wind band music and leads the Sound Innovations series for concert band. His work is recognized internationally and appears frequently on festival and contest programs.

Richard Meyer brings 35 years of public school string instruction to his writing, including String Explorer, Book 1, which combines pedagogical clarity with engaging material. He grew the orchestra program at Oak Avenue Intermediate School from 29 to 200 students over two decades.

Bob Phillips is recognized as an innovator in string education and the author of all six levels of the Sound Innovations series for strings. His Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, Book 2 is a favorite among teachers building ensemble programs from the ground up.