First Division Band Method, Part 1: Baritone (T.C.) Book

This baritone part fits seamlessly into any beginning band program because the method's sequencing handles the full ensemble at the same pace. Students on baritone progress through the same carefully scaffolded exercises as their peers on other instruments, which means your whole section stays together and rehearsals flow without piecemeal catching up.

The baritone part gives students a gentle entry into the low brass section while building confidence through achievable progressions. Songs move from simple, singable melodies to more rhythmically interesting lines that prepare students for standard band literature.

Beginning baritone players in concert band who need a structured introduction to the instrument. This part also works for any program adopting the First Division Band Method series across all instruments.

• Read through the correlated exercises before moving to new material so students internalize the technical concept before encountering it in a song.
• Work with your euphonium players to ensure baritone and euphonium parts align rhythmically, since both voices often share similar voicing in this method.
• Use the songs as performance opportunities, not just exercises. Even early selections reward careful attention to phrasing and tone production.

Use this as your primary method book for first-year baritones in a band program adopting First Division Band Course materials. The aligned pacing across all instrument books means your entire beginning band ensemble can work through exercises and repertoire together, creating a cohesive learning experience from day one.

• Long tone control and breath support
• Reading treble clef notation in simple and compound meters
• Tonguing articulation and legato phrasing
• Interval recognition and intonation matching
• Playing rhythmic patterns including dotted quarter notes and syncopation
• Transposition awareness (reading T.C. parts)