Accent on Achievement, Book 1: Trombone Book & Online Audio/Software

Accent on Achievement stands out for its integration of world music and classical repertoire from the very first pages, giving students genuine musical context instead of abstract exercises. The full-color presentation and systematic review cycle mean your students actually retain what they learn, and the 11 full band arrangements across books 1 and 2 provide immediate ensemble experience without requiring years of prerequisite study.

Engaging and purposeful. Rather than drilling abstract exercises, you move between recognizable melodies, folk songs, and classical excerpts that make practice feel musical from day one. The page design invites exploration without overwhelming, and the rhythm exercises build confidence steadily.

Beginning trombone students in middle school concert bands who benefit from structured, colorful instruction that connects standard technique to recognizable music. This book works equally well in school settings, private studio instruction, and community youth bands where ensemble participation is part of the learning path.

• Use the online audio to establish secure rhythmic placement before ensemble rehearsal; students can practice against the accompaniment at home and arrive prepared for sectional work.
• Address the slide positions and embouchure demands in chorales first, where note values allow time for adjustment, before applying that control to faster passages.
• Approach the lip slur exercises (introduced in Book 3) with patience and without force; they build range and flexibility only through consistent, relaxed practice.
• Layer the full band arrangements gradually by rehearsing individual parts against the audio before combining sections, allowing trombone players to internalize their role within the harmonic structure.

Start students in Book 1 during the first semester and progress through Book 2 with your beginning ensemble to ensure consistent review and retention across your section. The full band arrangements can be premiered as early performance victories in fall and winter concerts, giving new players visible contribution to the ensemble before spring repertoire becomes more technically demanding.

• Reading treble clef with rhythms in simple and compound meters
• Slide position accuracy and embouchure control across the instrument's comfortable range
• Rhythmic precision through progressive note value combinations
• Ensemble listening and blend in full band contexts
• Articulation clarity in both legato and staccato styles
• Music literacy across multiple musical styles and cultures