Frank Erickson High School Band Course: 2nd French Horn Book (Texas Edition)

Erickson's method materials work because they build real technique without feeling like drill. Second horn players get musical contexts for every skill, and the Texas Edition reflects the specific pedagogical approach that made Erickson's materials the foundation of American band programs for generations.

Clear, purposeful, and grounded in practical musicianship. Erickson's writing gives second horn players real musical responsibility without burying them under excessive technical demands, creating confidence alongside skill.

High school second horn players building foundational technique and preparing for concert and festival repertoire. This book works for students in their first year of serious band study through intermediate players consolidating their range and tone production.

• Balance the tone with first horn in unison passages; listen carefully to intonation in the upper register where second horn often sits.
• In harmonic writing, lock the interval and support the harmonic function without overwhelming the melodic line.
• Work second horn parts separately from full band at first, establishing secure intonation before sectional rehearsals.

Use this as your core method material throughout the high school year, pairing specific exercises with the concert repertoire your band is learning. The Texas Edition organization aligns with standard band curricula and festival requirements, making it ideal for year-long skill development alongside your performance schedule.

• Second horn intonation and balance in harmonic intervals
• Breath control and phrase shaping in extended passages
• Register management across the middle and upper range
• Reading in treble clef with confidence and accuracy
• Listening skills for blending within the brass section
• Foundational technique in long tones, scales, and articulation