Belwin 21st Century Band Method, Level 1: Baritone B.C. Book

This method recognizes that baritone players deserve the same engaging, carefully scaffolded instruction as their peers on other instruments, with content written specifically for the instrument rather than adapted from treble-clef sources. The strategic placement of lighter material ('Songs Just for the Fun of It') alongside rigorous rhythm work and theory keeps students motivated without sacrificing fundamentals. You can realistically move through the entire Level One book in a single academic year, which means your students experience tangible progress and stay engaged in the learning process.

The method balances structure with genuine musical enjoyment. Students encounter a rich variety of musical styles—classical, traditional, folk, and contemporary pieces—rather than abstract exercises, so they feel like musicians from day one. The frequent duets and light songs create moments of success and community, while the in-depth rhythm and theory work provide intellectual satisfaction and build real foundational skill.

This book is designed for beginning baritone players in grades 4-6 who are learning their instrument for the first time. It works best in a school band setting where students can move through the method sequentially with their classmates on other instruments, supporting ensemble learning from the start.

• Follow the lesson sequence as written; the rhythm curriculum builds systematically, and skipping ahead often creates gaps that surface during duet and ensemble work.
• Use the provided duets and rounds during rehearsal as a diagnostic tool to assess intonation and rhythmic precision in a low-pressure setting before moving to full-band contexts.
• Coordinate your rehearsal pacing with the conductor's score lesson plans so that concert dates align with the completion of related repertoire units.
• Encourage students to practice the 'Songs Just for the Fun of It' passages at home; these appear at strategic intervals to maintain motivation and reinforce newly introduced concepts in a musical rather than purely technical context.

Use this as your primary instructional text for beginning baritone players in your concert band program, moving through one complete unit per rehearsal block or every two weeks depending on your rehearsal schedule. The three complete concert arrangements included in Level One give you ready-made performance opportunities that directly reinforce what students are learning in their individual books, making each concert feel like a culmination of recent study rather than an interruption of it.

• Reading in bass clef with fluency and confidence
• Establishing secure rhythmic foundation through systematic rhythm study, including note values, rests, and time signatures (2/4, 3/4, 4/4)
• Understanding fundamental music theory (scales, intervals, key signatures, accidentals)
• Producing consistent intonation and tone quality on baritone
• Sight-reading at a beginning level across diverse musical styles
• Ensemble listening and blend in duet and full-band contexts
• Breath control and phrasing appropriate to melodic shapes