“Art of Possibility, The;” Benjamin Zander and Rosamund S. Zander

There are few books that I would consider “game changers” and this is one of them.  This book offers a great balance between the conceptual and the practical.  Deep discussions regarding creativity, hands-on rehearsal skills, and wellness practices…are all offered from the perspective of one of the greatest ensembles on earth.  This is a grand-slam of a book that is often overlooked.  

Conductor as Leader; Ramona Wis

This is a great book, especially for the young or inexperienced conductor.  It really explores the role of the conductor, both on and off of the podium.  It also discusses the various forms of leadership that conductors balance as they serve their students.  For those who want to dig further into the concepts of this book, pay attention to the sources that are constantly referenced by the author, and get acquainted with their work as well (i.e. Collins, Greenleaf, Hunter Collins)

Habits of a Successful Band Director; Scott Rush

Busy, working professionals will appreciate that the chapters of this book are very direct and straightforward.  The appendices are the real gold of this publication  and offer a lot of great templates for you to take and customize for your own programs.  This book has taken off into a series of “Habits of a Successful Fill-In-The-Blank” and now there are as many as there “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books.  I cannot speak for the entire series, but the original is useful to have in the arsenal!

The Inner Game of Tennis; Tim Gallwey AND The Inner Game of Music; Barry Green

Published in 1974 and 1986 respectively, these books are THE staple and perhaps the first to lift the hood and focus on the process of practice/ performance- decades before mindfulness and meditation practices became mainstream. That said, there are many who feel “Music” is a bit convoluted and would rather read “Tennis” and self-translate to their specific craft.  There is also  a DVD, which is a very expensive direct copy of a VHS tape.  It is an over-zoomed, unfocused interview of guys wearing pants way too high above the waist. I have watched and read all of these resources, and my personal opinion is that there are newer publications that approach this content in much more accessible and relevant ways. 

The Music Lesson; Victor Wooten

One of the greatest musicians on the planet created a wonderful  contribution for us all.  On one hand, it is a fictional journey about making music and connections through music that every music laymen would enjoy.  One the other hand, the narrative is a backdrop for a much deeper conversation about understanding music, how we approach music, and how it is synonymous with how we should approach life.  A gem of a book for every music lover.

The Musician’s Soul; James Jordan

This book taps into the inner-life of the artist and musician.  If you enjoy reading more contemplative works, this could be a welcomed addition to your library.  If you are interested, but are not used to “deep dives,” maybe start with something a bit lighter and work your way to this (examples)

“Soprano on Her Head, A;” Eloise Ristad

With an educational system that devotes more and more resources to SEL and mental health, you realize that Eloise Ristad’s 1980 publication was ahead of her time.  Content  that is comparable to Gallwey/Green, and Jordan, Ristad discusses the artistic process with a delivery that is lighter and much more conversational in style. There is also a vulnerability in Ristad’s writing that would remind you of Brene Brown’s honest approach.  While digital copies exist, this text is out of print and may be difficult to find, but well worth the price if you do find a physical copy.

“Teaching Music” Series;Tim Lautzenheiser

While Lautzenheiser’s books do not share common titles, they all take a positive, hands-on-approach to music education.  A great balance between conceptual and practical advice.  They also provide relevant perspectives and stories for the inexperienced and veteran educators alike.  These books help educators establish, and reconnect, with their educational “north star.” 

• The Art of Successful Teaching

• The Joy of Inspired Teaching 

• Everyday Wisdom for Inspired Teaching

• Leadership

Teaching Music Through Performance in Band; Essays

This series is renowned for its literature “resource guides” in every volume, but the articles contained within each volume, which are often overlooked, provide vast amounts of information: from everything from literature selection/rotation, rehearsal technique, tuning exercises, and beyond. It is worth browsing through these articles to see what strikes you during whatever season you are in.

• +12 Volumes

“Teaching With” Series; Peter L. Boonshaft

The four books in this series include inspiration stories and education concepts.  These books consist of short and unrelated chapters, making it a great resource for the working educator who may need to put a book down and pick it up again later.  If you are not an avid reader, or you are not sure how to begin your self-guided-journey towards growth, start here!

• Teaching with Passion

• Teaching with Purpose

• Teaching with Promise

• Teaching with Passion, Purpose, and Promise

This is Your Brain On Music; Daniel Levitin

Given the amount of science, data, and grafts, this is a surprisingly approachable book.  Levitin does a great job organizing the information and presenting it in a way that does not overwhelm or patronize his audience.  This is a great resource for every musician or educator, whether you are concerned with pedagogy, performance, or advocacy. 

What To Listen For In Music; Aaron Copland

The Father of the American Sound provides a road map that we are still using it 90 years later.  Whether you are a music student learning to properly analyze progressions, or the average listener interested in peeking behind the current to see how works, this book is so accessible and versatile.  Copland, who we all know and love, doesn’t get enough credit for creating a map, that didn't exist in this context, for all others to comfortably follow.  If this book isn’t already a worn, dog-eared, spine-creased staple on your shelf, that is a problem that needs to be addressed!