Band Today, Part 1 in French [L'Orchestre À Vent Moderne]: Baritone (T.C.) Book

Ployhar's French edition maintains the pedagogical clarity and engaging progression that made the Contemporary Band Course a classroom staple for generations. For directors with French-speaking students or programs emphasizing francophone musical culture, this edition provides authentic access to essential band literature in their native language. The writing remains direct and musically purposeful, focused on building technique and musicianship rather than padding page counts.

The writing is inviting and direct, offering clear musical goals within each lesson while honoring the learning process. You'll find straightforward progressions from foundational exercises into recognizable band arrangements, creating moments where students experience real musicianship early in their study.

This book serves beginning baritone players in middle and high school concert bands who benefit from structured, cumulative instruction in their native French language. It works equally well for any ensemble using the Contemporary Band Course in French, whether your students are learning baritone as their primary instrument or need supplementary material in French.

• Align your entrance cues with the baritone section leader; consistency in articulation and breath placement at the phrase level sets the tone for the entire low brass section.
• Pay close attention to dynamic markings as written. Early method books often use dynamics as a tool for building tone control, so respect the printed levels even in soft passages.
• Lock the rhythmic foundation with the tuba and low woodwinds. Your part frequently carries the harmonic anchor of the band, making your rhythmic precision essential to ensemble balance.
• Practice the written concert key fingerings consistently. Treble clef baritone reading requires steady reinforcement, so treat each exercise as an opportunity to strengthen your reading fluency rather than rushing through it.

Deploy this as your primary method resource for baritone students in grades 6-8, working through the 36 pages alongside your regular concert band rehearsals. The material aligns with standard band curricula, allowing you to assign lessons that complement your rehearsal focus and reinforce ensemble work at home.

• Reading treble clef on baritone
• Half-step and whole-step intervals
• Basic rhythmic patterns in 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4
• Long tone production and breath control
• Articulation techniques (legato and staccato)
• Part independence within ensemble contexts
• Understanding of dynamic contrast