Accent on Achievement
The Accent on Achievement method teaches your band all the fundamentals for a solid musical background. It is a best-selling band method that will excite and stimulate your students through full-color pages and the most complete collection of classics and world music in any band method. The comprehensive review cycle in Books 1 & 2 will ensure that students remember what they learn and progress quickly. Also included are rhythm and rest exercises, chorales, scale exercises, and 11 full band arrangements among the first two books. Book 3 includes progressive technical, rhythmic studies and chorales in all 12 major and minor keys. Also included are lip slur exercises for increasing brass instrument range and flexibility. Accent on Achievement meets and exceeds the USA National Standards for music education, grades five through eight.
Color Coding System
The Accent on Achievement color coding system streamlines the introduction of new material. Used in Books 1 and 2, this approach highlights material in a color-coded box at the top of each page where the concept first appears. In addition, the first time the new item is used in the music, it is shaded in the corresponding color. In this way a visual link is established between the new learning and its application. For consistency, the presentation of new material follows the color coding outlined below.
- New notes are always shown in yellow.
- Key signatures are always shown in green.
- New rhythmic values are always show in blue.
- New terms are shown in either purple or red.
Specialized Individual Books
While the books are designed for learning in a band class, each of the books contains material specifically geared towards each individual instrument. Every few pages, you'll find the phrase "Accent on Clarinet," or "Accent on Flute," etc. These are specialized technical exercises designed to address the specific technical problems for each instrument. With the exception of the percussion book, no new notes, rhythms, or concepts are introduced in these exercises so that materials previously learned can be effectively reinforced. For additional drills, pages 42-43 of student Books 1 and 2 contain expanded technical exercises including alternate fingerings and slide positions. Each book also contains a solo with piano accompaniment suitable for performance at concerts, recitals or festivals.
The Oboe and French Horn books contain extra optional lessons which are arranged in a more comfortable range of the instrument. These lessons can be used outside of regular band rehearsal to help students to play with more confidence.
CD with Every Book 1 and 2
An enhanced CD accompaniment is included with every Book 1 and 2. This CD contains audio tracks for all the music in Accent on Achievement, Book 1 through line 42, and for Book 2 through line 53, with the exception of some of the "Accent on..." exercises and the Accent on Performance pages. Each selection is recorded once with a soloist and once without.
The CD also contains Accent on Interactivity, a computer program that will run on Mac Operating Systems up to 10.6 or Windows Operating Systems up to XP. The program, provides General MIDI accompaniments for all the lines in Book 1 and Book 2. When accompanied by a microphone, students can record themselves playing and listen to determine if they played the correct tempo, pitches and rhythms.
Theory
Music theory is included throughout the student books. Exercises are at the bottom of every few pages in each of the student books. You'll find them strategically placed to reinforce concepts taught while playing the instrument. Students are drilled on note recognition, fingerings, rhythms and more!
Listening and Creativity Are Encouraged
As early as the first page of music, students are taught to listen to others in the band. Other exercises are included every few pages encouraging students to experiment with improvising rhythms, creating orchestrations, improvising, and composing. All techniques are introduced within the context of the lesson, making them easy for students while encouraging their creative development.