Band Today, Part 2: E-flat Alto Saxophone Book

Band Today, Part 2 continues the methodical progression that makes the Contemporary Band Course so effective in intermediate band settings. Ployhar's writing here balances technical development with genuinely musical material, so students feel they're learning through real repertoire rather than exercises alone. The 32-page format keeps the book focused and manageable while covering the core skills intermediate players need to strengthen their musicianship.

The material balances practical technical work with brief musical passages that remind students why they play. Ployhar's writing respects the alto saxophone's warm, singing quality while building the stamina and precision required for ensemble work.

Band Today, Part 2 serves alto saxophone players in intermediate concert band programs who have completed a foundational method and are ready to expand their range, articulation, and rhythmic flexibility. This book works particularly well for students in their second or third year of study who need systematic development without excessive repetition or oversimplification.

• Work through exercises in short, focused segments during warm-up rather than attempting a full page in one sitting; this allows students to absorb concepts and apply them immediately in rehearsal.
• Use duet and small-group passages as coaching opportunities; pairing students of different proficiency levels gives stronger players immediate leadership responsibility.
• Encourage students to mark their own reeds and embouchure checkpoints in the margin notes; ownership of practice habits accelerates progress through intermediate material.
• Play through complete exercises at performance tempo once students have identified all the technical challenges, reinforcing that accuracy and musicality grow together.

Use Part 2 as your primary instructional text during the intermediate band year, reserving rehearsal time for at least one page per week alongside performance repertoire. The sequential design works best when students have already worked through Part 1, ensuring no foundational gaps appear during this stage of development.

• Increased range on the alto saxophone
• Articulation clarity across different note combinations
• Rhythmic accuracy in intermediate time signatures and syncopated figures
• Tone control across dynamic levels
• Sight-reading fluency at this developmental stage
• Basic ensemble balance awareness through duet and small-group passages