Measures of Success Piano Accompaniment Book 2: Piano Accompaniment Book

This accompaniment book transforms rehearsals by giving your piano player an active, musical role instead of a supportive one. The writing respects both the young pianist and the ensemble, creating moments where the accompaniment carries real melodic and harmonic weight that elevates the entire sound.

Warm and supportive, yet engaging enough that the piano part never fades into the background. The accompaniment shapes phrases alongside the band rather than simply filling harmonic space.

Band directors working with Book 2 of Measures of Success who need a skilled pianist or are teaching a musician capable of handling moderate ensemble accompaniment. This book assumes basic keyboard facility and comfort reading in multiple keys.

• Balance the melody and accompaniment carefully during rehearsals; have the pianist practice independently first so they understand their own line before merging with the band.
• Listen for places where the piano part moves in parallel motion with the winds and adjust your tempo slightly to lock these sections in together.
• Mark breaths and phrase endings in pencil so the pianist can anticipate shifts and stay responsive to the conductor.

Use this book in rehearsals where your ensemble is learning the corresponding concert band pieces from Measures of Success Book 2. Having a strong piano part also makes these arrangements work well for smaller performances or chamber-style concerts where a pianist can be featured.

• Reading and sustaining independent melodic and harmonic lines while listening to ensemble parts
• Balancing accompaniment texture with featured woodwind and brass voices
• Understanding harmonic function through performance rather than theory alone
• Ensemble awareness and responsiveness to conductor gesture