Measures of Success for String Orchestra

Teachers keep coming back to Gail V. Barnes's Measures of Success for String Orchestra books, with the Violin Book 1 seeing the most adoption, followed by the Viola Book 1 and Cello Book 1. Book 2 volumes are also available across instruments for students ready to advance their skills and musical range.

Gail V. Barnes has authored the entire Measures of Success for String Orchestra series, which now includes Books 1 and 2 for violin, viola, cello, and bass. Her focus on sequential learning and ensemble readiness has made these materials a standard in string programs across different school sizes and demographics.

Carrie Lane Gruselle brings both classroom experience and specialized training to this series. She holds a Masters in Music Education with a Suzuki emphasis from the University of Wisconsin and currently teaches elementary and middle strings for the Appleton Area School District while also teaching cello at the Lawrence University Arts Academy. Her background in both group instruction and individual pedagogy shapes her contributions to materials designed for mixed-level ensembles.

Brian Balmages is a composer and conductor whose work spans orchestral, band, and chamber music, with performances ranging from elementary schools to Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House. He received the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association and won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Award, bringing a broad perspective on how music functions in educational settings.