Band Today, Part 2: Comb Bound Conductor (Piano Acc.) Book

Ployhar designed this progression specifically for students ready to deepen their musicianship beyond basics, and it shows in every exercise and piece. The comb binding flattens completely for performance, eliminating the frustration of fighting a spine during rehearsal or concert. You get a conductor score paired with piano accompaniment that actually supports learning, not just fills the book.

The writing balances structure with musicality, offering clear technical direction without sacrificing character. Each exercise and piece breathes naturally, making the work feel purposeful rather than mechanical—students understand they're building real skills rather than grinding through drills.

Band directors working with intermediate-level ensembles ready to move beyond foundational technique into fuller musicianship and ensemble blend. This score works equally well for conductors using it as a reference during rehearsal or for private studio instructors preparing young musicians for school band success.

• Use the piano accompaniment to establish harmonic context during early rehearsals; this grounds students' melodic lines and builds listening awareness across the ensemble.
• Keep the lay-flat pages visible throughout rehearsal without having to hold the book open, freeing your hands for conducting and allowing students to focus entirely on you.
• Review the progression of exercises before selecting daily warm-up material; Ployhar sequences technical development deliberately, so skipping ahead can leave gaps in student facility.

Use this as your core intermediate method if you're transitioning a cohort of younger players into a full concert band program. The accompaniment book pairs ideally with the full band arrangement, allowing you to prepare parts individually or in sectionals before bringing them into the full ensemble context.

• Sustaining pitch control across longer phrases and varied dynamic levels
• Reading and executing articulation markings with rhythmic precision
• Responding to harmonic movement and blending with ensemble sonority
• Interpreting expression marks and tempo relationships in context
• Maintaining intonation during ensemble passages with piano accompaniment