Wether you are new to the string teaching profession or a seasoned veteran teacher, there are a few incredible resources available that can be super helpful to provide you with different philosophies, field-tested teaching strategies, or some new ideas. I’ve compiled a list of print resources below that may be of use for string and orchestra teachers. Enjoy!
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Strategies for Teaching Strings: Building A Successful String and Orchestra Program, 4th Edition
by Robert Gillespie and Donald Hamann
An essential guide for prospective, novice, and experienced string teachers alike. This comprehensive text provides all the information necessary to develop and manage a successful school based program. Based on the national standards for teaching strings and orchestra, the text covers performance objectives, strategies for teaching technical and performance skills, and solutions to common playing problems for elementary, middle, and high school skill levels. It also offers rehearsal strategies to develop large group ensemble techniques, practical approaches to teaching improvisation, and advice on how to increase student recruitment and retention.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3OI6j83
- Hamann, Donald L. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 352 Pages – 01/24/2018 (Publication Date) – Oxford University Press (Publisher)
The Art of String Teaching
by Michael Hopkins
The Art of String Teaching a hybrid of written text and high-quality online videos is a comprehensive string pedagogy resource covering everything from the origins and history of the string family to advanced-level string techniques. This one-of-a-kind resource has been divided into two parts. In Part I, Michael Hopkins offers an orientation to string education, outlines his philosophical approach to string education, and provides four chapters on the foundational aspects of string playing for beginning string players. Part 2 focuses on intermediate- and advanced-level instruction, touching on such topics as left-hand shifting, vibrato, bowing techniques, tuning skills, improvisation and composition, and music listening, among others. The two concluding chapters offer insight into the string rehearsal and how to run a successful orchestra program. The appendices contain an abundance of practical and convenient teacher resources, including worksheets, flashcards, string repertoire, scales and arpeggios, a template for method book analysis, and sample assessments and rubrics. QR codes throughout the book link to online video demonstrations of string techniques, and the spiral binding is ideal for playing the included string repertoire from a music stand. This book serves as a useful reference guide for professional orchestra conductors, teachers of group string classes, and private studio teachers. It also addresses the needs of students whose primary instrument is not strings and is suited for use in a string techniques or pedagogy course at the college level.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3yBzuVr
- Michael Hopkins (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 668 Pages – 12/12/2018 (Publication Date) – GIA Publications, Inc. (Publisher)
Habits of a Successful Orchestra Director
by Christopher Selby
Christopher Selby and his team have created a resource that is rich with practical strategies for developing a successful orchestra program. This book will inspire young and veteran orchestra directors looking for fresh ideas about teaching orchestra students of all ages to:
- Perform with refined intonation, expressive musicianship and a beautiful tone
- Develop advanced performance technique, rhythmic precision, and ensemble skill
- Sight-read better, rehearse more efficiently in class, and practice better at home
- Become orchestra leaders and take greater pride and ownership in their ensemble
- Additional sections address rehearsal strategies, classroom policies, longrange planning, assessment, tips for building an orchestra program, and suggestions for communicating with parents and principals to better support the orchestra.
Habits of a Successful Orchestra Director is a comprehensive book that will exponentially inspire as teaching skills grow. It will be a constant and essential companion throughout the career of any orchestra director.
“This book is a must-read for all interested in teaching string orchestra at the K-12 level! Written by a seasoned and exemplary teacher – it is chalk full of great teaching ideas that will help you be successful in your classroom! Buy it, read it and keep it in your library – you will come back to it time and time again!” -Mary L. Wagner, former National ASTA President and Co-Author of the ASTA String Curriculum
“This book is an essential resource for every classroom string teacher whether you are new to the profession or a seasoned veteran. It contains a multitude of tried and true classroom teaching strategies that will help keep you organized, motivate students and improve your effectiveness in the classroom. Dr. Selby shares thoughtful insight into developing teaching philosophies, planning and executing lessons, and ways to foster positive with students, parents and administrators. This is the real-world text that the string teaching profession has been waiting for!” – Dr. Charles Laux, Clinician, Conductor, String Educator, Director of the Alpharetta High School Orchestras
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3OQWzIU
- GIA Publications Model#G9363
- Christopher Selby (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 280 Pages – 12/09/2016 (Publication Date) – G I A Pubns (Publisher)
Teaching Strings in Today’s Classroom: A Guide for Group Instruction
by Rebecca MacLeod
Teaching Strings in Today’s Classroom: A Guide for Group Instruction assists music education students, in-service teachers, and performers to realize their goals of becoming effective string educators. It introduces readers to the school orchestra environment, presents the foundational concepts needed to teach strings, and provides opportunities for the reader to apply this information. The author describes how becoming an effective string teacher requires three things of equal importance: content knowledge, performance skills, and opportunities to apply the content knowledge and performance skills in a teaching situation.
In two parts, the text addresses the unique context that is teaching strings, a practice with its own objectives and related teaching strategies. Part I (Foundations of Teaching and Learning String Instruments) first presents an overview of the string teaching environment, encouraging the reader to consider how context impacts teaching, followed by practical discussions of instrument sizing and position, chapters on the development of each hand, and instruction for best practices concerning tone production, articulation, and bowing guidelines. Part II (Understanding Fingerings) provides clear guidance for understanding basic finger patterns, positions, and the creation of logical fingerings. String fingerings are abstract and thus difficult to negotiate without years of playing experience―these chapters (and their corresponding interactive online tutorials) distill the content knowledge required to understand string fingerings in a way that non-string players can understand and use.
Teaching Strings in Today’s Classroom contains pedagogical information, performance activities, and an online virtual teaching environment with twelve interactive tutorials, three for each of the four string instruments.
ACCOMPANYING VIDEOS CAN BE ACCESSED VIA THE AUTHOR’S WEBSITE: https://www.teachingstrings.online
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3HWt6uJ
- MacLeod, Rebecca (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 148 Pages – 12/20/2018 (Publication Date) – Routledge (Publisher)
Rehearsing the Middle School Orchestra
by Sandy Goldie with chapters by Michael Alexander, Angela Ammerman, Sarah Black Ball, Amy Clement, Don Brubaker, Seth Gamba, Sandy Goldie, Rebecca MacLeod, Anne Marie Patterson, Margaret Preister Selby, Mimi Zweig
In this highly informative compendium, nationally renowned orchestra directors share their unique expertise concerning rehearsal philosophy, intonation, tone and bow control, setup and fundamentals, articulation, planning, warm-ups, recruiting, community building, and more. These educators have honed their skills through years of experience and have inspired countless young musicians. Each chapter presents their insights and individual approaches to developing musical excellence in their students. As an added benefit, the book includes lists of the authors’ favorite composers, arrangers, and works for grades 1-4.
Purchase this book: 
- Pages: 144
- Instrumentation: Orchestra
- Goldie, Sandy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 144 Pages – 05/01/2019 (Publication Date) – Meredith Music (Publisher)
Rehearsing the High School Orchestra
by Sandy Goldie with chapters by Gail Barnes, David Eccles, Creston Herron, Cathie Hudnall, Scott Laird, Charles Laux, Kirt Mosier, Kirk Moss, Chris Selby, and Laura Mulligan Thomas
This book contains collective insights from some of the most inspirational high school orchestra directors in the United States. They reveal their ideas on rehearsal philosophy, rehearsal preparation, warm-up strategies, favorite repertoire, tone/bow control, intonation, articulation, expression, online instruction, recruiting and building community. Each of their stories is as unique as the individual strategies and approaches they share. You will surely be inspired by their ideas, approaches, and strategies presented in Rehearsing the High School Orchestra.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3OtQRwx
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- English (Publication Language)
- 133 Pages – 09/01/2021 (Publication Date) – GIA Publications (Publisher)
Achieving Musical Success in the String Classroom
by Karel Butz
Achieving Musical Success in the String Classroom describes a fully pragmatic pedagogical approach toward developing complete musicianship in beginning through advanced level string players by incorporating the ideas of Mimi Zweig, Paul Rolland, and Shinichi Suzuki. Author Karel Butz’s
philosophical assumptions are explained regarding the structure and purpose of string teaching contributing to a high level of musical artistry among students. Introductory through advanced string concepts relating to instrument set-up, posture, left and right hand development, music theory, aural
skills, assessment procedures, imagery in playing, the development individual practice and ensemble skills, and effective rehearsal strategies are explained in a sequential approach that benefit the classroom teacher and student. In addition, several score examples, sample lesson plans, grading
rubrics as well as videos of Butz demonstrating his pedagogical ideas and techniques with musicians are included.
Purchase this book: Achieving Musical Success in the String Classroom describes a fully pragmatic pedagogical approach toward developing complete musicianship in beginning through advanced level string players by incorporating the ideas of Mimi Zweig, Paul Rolland, and Shinichi Suzuki. Author Karel Butz’s
philosophical assumptions are explained regarding the structure and purpose of string teaching contributing to a high level of musical artistry among students. Introductory through advanced string concepts relating to instrument set-up, posture, left and right hand development, music theory, aural
skills, assessment procedures, imagery in playing, the development individual practice and ensemble skills, and effective rehearsal strategies are explained in a sequential approach that benefit the classroom teacher and student. In addition, several score examples, sample lesson plans, grading
rubrics as well as videos of Butz demonstrating his pedagogical ideas and techniques with musicians are included.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3nqutbJ
- Butz, Karel (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 240 Pages – 08/27/2019 (Publication Date) – Oxford University Press (Publisher)
Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra (Volume 1)
Articles by Michael Allen, Louis Bergonzi, Jacquelyn Dillon, Robert Gillespie, James Kjelland, Dorothy Straub
The standard resource for selecting appropriate music for your orchestra. Following the successful series written for band, this book is the cornerstone for helping orchestra directors teach conceptually instead of just rehearsing for the concert.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3QSJ5Oy
- Hardcover Book
- Michael Allen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 520 Pages – 04/28/2024 (Publication Date) – GIA Publications Inc. (Publisher)
Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra (Volume 2)
Part I of the book contains essays penned by six renowned orchestra teachers: Michael Allen, Louis Bergonzi, Jacquelyn Dillon, Robert Gillespie, James Kjelland, and Dorothy Straub. From pedagogy, assessment, and muscianship to motivation, repertoire-based warm-ups and playing in tune, these experts’ “words of wisdom” are sure to both help and inspire teachers in the classroom. Part II contains a nuts-and bolts analysis of 100 of the most significant works for string and full orchestra, grades one through six. Researched and compiled by musicians and teachers across the country, this section gives essential information on each musical selection, including composer and composition information, historical background, technical requirements, stylistic considerations, musical elements (form and structure), sugggestions for additional listing and a guid in selected references.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3AbovTw
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- English (Publication Language)
- 675 Pages – 04/28/2024 (Publication Date) – GIA Publications (Publisher)
Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra (Volume 3)
Continuing the tradition of this venerable series, Volume 3 delivers invaluable advice from top-tier educators as well as analysis of 80 of the most significant orchestra and string orchestra works in print.
Part I features essays by six renowned orchestra educators, all with helpful and practical insights for today s middle school, high school, and college conductors. Chapters include:
- Playing beyond the Score: Thoughts on Teaching Expressive Musicianship by Jacquelyn Dillon
- World Music in Orchestral and String Education: Understanding Reggae-Sprinked Twinkle by Louis Bergonzi
- End of Year Massed Concerts by Michael Allen; Checkpoints for Self-Evaluation: Creating a Self-Help Program to Become the Best String Teacher You Can Be by Robert Gillespie
- Solving the Mysteries of the String Bass by Dorothy A. Straub
- Taming the Rushin Sailor s Dance: Using Bowing Principles to Your Musical Advantage by James Kjelland.
Part II contains analysis of 80 of the most significant works for string and full orchestra in print, grades 1 through 5. Like the first two volumes of this series, each Teacher Resource Guide includes essential information on each musical selection, including composer and composition information, historical background, technical requirements, stylistic considerations, musical elements (form and structure), suggestions for additional listening, and a guide to selected references.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3bCJCnG
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Michael Allen (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 525 Pages – 12/12/2007 (Publication Date) – G I A Pubns (Publisher)
Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra (Volume 4)
This much-anticipated fourth volume in the indispensable Teaching Music through Performance in Orchestra series arrives 13 years after the publication of the previous volume, with a new team of authors and editors, each at the top of the string education profession. But while the team is new, the book remains an essential resource for today’s string teachers and conductors at all levels.
Part I features practical chapters by leading educators:
- “Selecting and Teaching Concert Music” by Christopher Selby
- “Preparing for the Podium” by James Mick
- “Begin with the Score: Making Notation Come Alive” by Mark Laycock
- “From Poof to Portato: A Sequence of Bow Strokes for the Heterogeneous Class” by Brenda Brenner
- “NRB (Notes, Rhythm, and Bow): Systematic Ways of Providing Technique in the Orchestra Classroom” by Soo Han
- “Bowing Styles for the Ages: What Are They? How Do They Sound? When Do I Use Them? How Do I Get My School Orchestra to Play Them?” by Robert Gillespie
- “If Only We Had More Rehearsal Time! Strategies for Optimizing Rehearsal Efficiency and Performance Preparedness that Have Nothing to Do With Conducting” by James Woomert
Part II contains analyses of 92 of the most significant works for string and full orchestra in print, Grades 1 through 6. Like the first three volumes of this series, each Teacher Resource Guide includes essential information on each musical selection, including composer and composition information, historical background, technical requirements, stylistic considerations, musical elements (form and structure), suggestions for additional listening, and a guide to selected references.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3I1dKFm
- Hardcover Book
- Brenda Brenner (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 600 Pages – 04/21/2021 (Publication Date) – Gia Publications (Publisher)
Basic String Technique: A Practical Guide to String Instruction
by Anne Marie Patterson
This book provides thorough instruction on basic instrument setup, technique, fixing common mistakes, and more. The first year of instrumental instruction is important to establish good technique and habits. The goal of this book is to provide a resource of ideas and instructional techniques to aid in the challenging work of teaching beginning string students. Perfect for teachers who are new to string education, it also provides helpful teaching strategies for veteran string educators.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3y0O1bE
- A must-have for any Strings teacher, Basic String Technique provides thorough instruction of basic pedagogy for violin, viola, cello and bass.
- Anne Marie Patterson (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Teaching Stringed Instruments in Classes
by Elizabeth A. H. Green
The perfect gift for the first year teacher! A detailed step-by-step guide to classroom teaching from one of the foremost pedagogues of the twentieth century. Green outlines instruction from the first lesson on through teaching music reading, left hand development, and vibrato. This book is a must for all beginning classroom teachers. 105 pages.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3a3C4tK
- Used Book in Good Condition
- English (Publication Language)
- 105 Pages – 10/01/2010 (Publication Date) – Alfred Music (Publisher)
Orchestral Bowings and Routines
by Elizabeth A. H. Green
Yet another book from Green that is indispensable for the orchestra teacher. Green discusses the essence of orchestral bowing, the fourteen basic bowings, different styles, and tricks of the trade. Includes section for teachers concerning the several phases of orchestral instruction. 107 pages
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3ytUvkE
- English (Publication Language)
- 112 Pages – 11/01/2010 (Publication Date) – Alfred Music (Publisher)
The Teaching of Action in String Playing
by Paul Rolland
A guide to the Rolland approach to teaching, written by Paul Rolland. Rolland was a remarkable violinist, and he left a unique legacy for the string playing and teaching world. Here he discusses principles of movement in playing, rhythm training, holding the bow, left hand and finger placements, shifting, and developing flexibility. This first-hand account of his method is now considered a standard teaching resource for string teachers. This remarkable violinist has left a unique legacy for the string playing and teaching world. 228 pages.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3nsQUx4
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Rolland, Paul (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 240 Pages – 10/01/2010 (Publication Date) – Alfred Music (Publisher)
Principles of Violin Playing and Teaching
by Ivan Galamian
A celebrated instructor explains his philosophy of teaching and practice methods, including the appropriate combination of technique and interpretation. Ivan Galamian, a longtime Juilliard professor, incorporates aspects of both the Russian and French schools in a system both ingenious and logical. His tutelage has produced astonishing results with students, many of whom rank among the world’s most acclaimed concert artists and orchestral concertmasters.
Suitable for violin teachers and students of all ages and levels, this guide presents general principles and offers practical suggestions related to posture, holding the instrument and bow, vibrato movements, intonation, tone production, bowing patterns, double stops, trills, and many other facets of playing and practice. This edition features a new Introduction by Sally Thomas, violin virtuoso and Galamian’s former student.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3ubg8DG
- Galamian, Ivan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 128 Pages – 03/21/2013 (Publication Date) – Dover Publications (Publisher)
Maximizing Student Performance – Performance Assessment in Orchestra
by Wendy Barden
Wendy Barden makes assessment easy with 48 pages of practical, proven techniques and customizable forms that will help teachers engage and motivate students, measure and transform learning, and maximize the effectiveness of every rehearsal. The result: skilled, energized musicians and better bands and orchestras!
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3QX4t55
- Barden, Wendy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 48 Pages – 12/31/2009 (Publication Date) – Neil A. Kjos Music Company (Publisher)
Teaching Genius: Dorothy DeLay and the Making of a Musician
by Barbara Lourie Sand
Itzhak Perlman, Kennedy, Midori, and Sarah Chang were among Dorothy Delay’s students during her five decades as a violin teacher at Juilliard. For more than ten years, the author was granted access to DeLay’s classes and lessons at Juilliard and the Aspen Music Festival and School, and this book reveals DeLay’s deep intuition of each student’s needs. An exploration of the mysteries of teaching and learning, it includes a feast of anecdotes about an extraordinary character.
Purchase this book: https://amzn.to/3xVV8lm
- Pages: 240
- Sand, Barbara Lourie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 240 Pages – 11/01/2005 (Publication Date) – Amadeus (Publisher)
Teachers! If you know of a useful resource you would like to see added to this list, please contact me.
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