Discover Better By Sight
Discover the innovative 4-step system to mastering sight reading in Better by Sight, a comprehensive classroom method packed with 165 exercise lines with most being fully harmonized sight reading etudes. This groundbreaking full-color book enhances the learning experience by visually reinforcing musical concepts.
Discover the Measures of Success
Discover the Measures of Success series for Band and Orchestra, powerful classroom methods that combine time-tested pedagogy with outstanding
sequencing and repertoire. The systematic presentation of these methods reinforces musical techniques in a practical, positive way.
Measures of Success is adopted by more and more school districts. Find out why by reviewing a FREE DIGITAL PREVIEW today.
Help Your Young Jazz Students Find and Hone Their Improvisatory Voices
Check out Lick Library, a brand new book by Peter Blair. This easy-to-use method focuses on building students’ Jazz improvisation vocabulary through four progressive sections, and “echo tracks,” to help students internalize Jazz phrasing and style.
Make Your Next Student Travel Tour the Most Successful One Yet
As a music educator, you’re driven to move beyond the classroom walls to deliver the best learning experiences for your students. Performance travel is a terrific way to do that.
But there can be a huge gap between wanting to travel and actually making it happen. Parents need to be convinced. Students enthused. Details planned. Funds raised.
At BRT, we’ve got 40+ years of experience in student performance travel – and 20 former music educators on our team – so we’ve learned a thing or two about getting your trip off the ground.
We’ve captured everything we know in our free 10-page guide, “Ready for Takeoff!” Inside, you’ll gain insights on starting smart, keeping the momentum going, and raising funds effectively. And you’ll learn why 12-15 months is the “sweet spot” for successful travel planning. Click below to get your copy!
‘Texas Prep’ Sight-Reading Series for Choral and Concert Band II
RBC Publications has released a much anticipated second volume of Texas Prep Series: Daily Exercises Based on the State Sight-Reading Criteria series for Concert Bands and the inaugural volume of Texas Prep series for Choral. These releases come on the heels of the release of the Texas Prep series for String Orchestra in November 2024. Ideal for use by Directors – both in Texas and throughout the country and beyond – Texas Prep is designed to increase sight-reading skills and prepare students for contest adjudication.
As a longtime collaborator with UIL in providing musical pieces for the sight-reading portion of UIL’s assessment, RBC Publications understands the ins and outs of Texas state music education, criteria, and adjudication. These texts are invaluable for band, orchestra, and choral directors wherever they are located!
Free Stuff and New Concert Band and String Orchestra Music from Randall Standridge
- FREE Warm-Ups (including several new modules for band, 14 pages of material!)
- FREE Etudes (“Yay-Tudes!”)
- FREE Arrangements (Star Spangled Banner, Pomp and Circumstance, and more!)
- FREE Pep-Tunes!
Check out the many new concert band releases.
Updated Editions of Essential Elements Band and String Methods
For over 25 years, Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements Band and Strings methods have helped thousands of directors and millions of students grow and improve their band and orchestra programs. Hal Leonard is excited to unveil updated editions of both iconic methods for all three levels. These updates enhance the student learning experience and ease the workload for educators, all while retaining the core methodology that has made Essential Elements a trusted resource for decades.
These new editions are entirely compatible with existing versions, ensuring seamless integration for bands and orchestras.
Exciting New Features
The updated editions include:
– Over 400 new professionally recorded videos between the band and string books featuring real music educators and offering students engaging, on-demand instruction.
– 50 new copyrighted pop songs sequenced for all levels are available via the Essential Elements Interactive online platform.
– Enhanced visuals, including vibrant color photography, to create a more engaging learning experience.
– Revised content, replacing three songs with a troubled history with three fresh, inclusive selections.
All supplemental materials are accessible through the method’s free Essential Elements Interactive (EEi) platform, ensuring students and teachers have easy access to valuable resources.
Accessories
Vandoren Launches VK Synthetic Reeds for Alto Saxophone
The new Vandoren synthetic reeds, available in VK1 and VK7 Jazz cuts, follow the recent launch of the VK1 Synthetic Reed for Bb Clarinet. Designed to offer durability, consistency, and outstanding performance, the VK Synthetic Reeds provide musicians with a premium alternative to traditional cane reeds.
Manufactured using a state-of-the-art patented composite material developed by Vandoren, the VK Synthetic Reeds deliver a rich, vibrant tone while maintaining stability across a variety of playing conditions. Designed to perform in changing climates or high-demand settings, these durable synthetic reeds offer reliable response and longevity, withstanding environmental changes while maintaining peak performance and minimizing the need for frequent replacements.
Expanding their reach to alto saxophonists, the VK range is now available as the VK1 traditional cut reed, while the VK7 Jazz reed offers a more flexible and powerful response. The VK reeds provide exceptional consistency, ensuring a uniform playing experience every time. Since synthetic reeds are engineered to offer consistency, Vandoren has created a strength system that aligns the VK reeds with traditional cane reed strengths, ensuring players can find a comparable option to what they’re accustomed to.
Augustine Spanish, Classical and Flamenco Nylon Acoustic Guitar Strings5
Crafted from the finest materials and now available in 3 pack sets, Augustine Black Label, Blue Label, Blue Regal, Red Label and Red Imperial acoustic nylon guitar strings, are recognized for their outstanding sound quality, superior clarity, power and projection, whilst designed and constructed to draw more from the guitar’s tonewood characteristics, bringing definition to each player’s playing style, tone and technique.
When paired with a combination of string permutations that include normal, medium, high or extra high, crystal nylon trebles and light, medium or high tension basses with silver plated copper, or silver alloy copper wound, over a nylon multifilament, it’s quite apparent how it’s the fine details within construction that has earned Augustine an enormous amount of credibility and the first string choice for professional Spanish, Classical and Flamenco players and ensembles around the world.
JodyJazz Introduces New DV JC JODY CUSTOM Saxophone Mouthpieces
JodyJazz has announced the introduction of the new DV JC which stands for “Jody Custom”. An exciting new addition to the DV Series saxophone mouthpieces, the new DV JC features design modifications based upon JodyJazz Founder & President, Jody Espina’s customized personal mouthpiece. Available initially in the Alto model it will soon be followed by the Tenor later in 2025.
The new DV JC JODY CUSTOM Alto is constructed from 14kt gold-plated virgin bell brass and is available in 6, 7 & 8 tip openings.
Chedeville Expands Affordably Priced SAV Series with new Eb Clarinet Mouthpiece
The new Chedeville SAV Eb Clarinet model is the latest addition to Chedeville’s SAV range of affordably priced clarinet mouthpieces. The Chedeville Eb Clarinet Mouthpiece delivers a warm, full sound that is reminiscent of a Bb Clarinet. The SAV Eb offers the perfect balance of warmth and projection, while maintaining ease of play—particularly in the challenging upper register. Designed for both serious students and seasoned professionals, the Chedeville SAV Eb Clarinet mouthpiece offers comfort, flexibility, and reliability at an affordable price.
Rousseau Radically Improves JDX Series as Part of 3.0 Series Relaunch
As part of the recent manufacturing transition of its Rousseau mouthpieces to the JodyJazz factory, the Rousseau JDX series mouthpieces have all been radically improved and upgraded. Referred to as “Rousseau 3.0”, all Rousseau mouthpieces are now made from start to finish at the JodyJazz factory in Savannah, GA. These improved new Rousseau 3.0 JDX models are an excellent choice for Jazz Band and popular music styles.
The new Rousseau 3.0 JDX models include several new design features. Most importantly the unique ‘V chamber’ design, which was previously exclusive to the original JDX Baritone, is now a feature of all the other models.
Orange Launches the O Tone 40 Combo Guitar Amplifier
Orange Amplification is pleased to announce the release of the O Tone 40, a legendary amp in the making.
The single channel, 40-Watt Class A/B solid state combo has onboard tremolo and reverb controls, a buffered effects loop and plenty of punchy volume. With a distinctive clean tone, it is an ideal amp for any pedal set-up or a small venue workhorse for guitarists who are fond of warm, vintage tones.
The powerful volume of the 12” Voice of the World speaker, combined with the amazingly sweet tones and harmonic chimes of the new O Tone 40, makes it ideal for rock, country, blues and so many more music genres. A direct output is included to facilitate studio and live non-miked situations.
Instruments
Odisei Music Unveils the World’s First Portable Electronic
Clarinet
Odisei Music, a pioneer in electronic wind instruments, releases the world’s first electronic clarinet, dubbed Travel Clarinet, allowing musicians to practice silently using headphones, making it a versatile and portable solution for students and professionals alike.
The Travel Clarinet builds on the success of the company’s Travel Sax, launched as a Kickstarter project in 2019 and used by over 4,500 musicians across 70 countries. Odisei Music continues redefining the music experience with the Travel Clarinet, designed to maintain the traditional fingering of an acoustic clarinet while offering modern features such as MIDI integration and plug-and-play functionality. It also boasts a first in electronic wind instruments: built-in artificial intelligence that learns from the user’s movement and refines the expression sensors.
Like Travel Sax 2, Travel Clarinet boasts 50 internal sounds, a USB-C connection for MIDI out and battery charging, an internal reference speaker and a mini jack that enables players to practice silently with headphones. Users can connect a phone or tablet via Bluetooth to play backing tracks for practice.
Martin Guitar Refreshes Standard Series, Debuts New Models 
- F. Martin & Co. is unveiling an exciting lineup of new guitars including refinements to its trusted Standard Series and two all-new Retro Plus guitars.
Martin is refreshing its popular Standard Series lineup to bring subtle yet impactful refinements to enhance the look, tone, and playability of these iconic guitars, while introducing three new models to the series: the D-17, 000-17, and OM-45.
One of the key updates is Sitka spruce Golden Era (GE) top bracing, as featured on the Modern Deluxe Series, which offers a more vintage, breathy tone with enhanced sustain. The GE modified low oval neck profile maintains its popular shape but is optimized for vintage appeal with minimal increase in total mass.
It’s paired with playability enhancements like a thinner fingerboard with a gently beveled comfort edge and refined string spacing at the nut, while the new GE modern belly bridge features smoother, more comfortable corners.
Introducing the Mike Lawson Signature Line Acoustic/Electric Guitars
“With my signature guitars, working musicians can play an amazing professional-level instrument at an awesome price that sounds equal if not better than the world’s best guitars.” ~ Mike Lawson
The creation of a Pearl River guitar is a meticulous and intricate process that begins with the careful selection of woods chosen for their unique tonal qualities, resonance, and aesthetic appeal. The top is carefully crafted to achieve the perfect balance between strength and flexibility, allowing it to vibrate and resonate harmoniously. Inside, the bracing is meticulously positioned to enhance the instrument’s response and projection.
The assembly of the guitar’s body is a labor-intensive task in which the back and sides are expertly bent and shaped, ensuring optimal sound projection and playability. The neck is crafted with precision, and the fretboard is meticulously leveled and fitted to ensure accurate intonation across the entire instrument.
The finishing touches are crucial in both the aesthetic appeal and sound quality. The body is meticulously sanded and polished to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. Throughout the entire process, each Pearl River guitar is continually tested and adjusted to achieve the perfect balance of tone, playability, and responsiveness. The result is an exquisite instrument that captivates the senses, producing rich, resonant tones that inspire musicians and enchant their listeners.
