MARCHING.COM: The Dynamic Marching Band by Wayne Markworth

Wayne Markworth shares tips and secrets for marching band success

A new book offers a rare opportunity for band directors to learn techniques that were used in one of America's most successful marching band programs. The Dynamic Marching Band by Wayne Markworth is a how-to manual covering a broad range of topics related to preparing a marching band.

Although the book is targeted toward young directors and college music education majors, the book also includes advanced information that appeals to experienced directors.

In writing the book, Markworth draws on his 35-year career as director of bands at Centerville H.S. in Ohio. His "Centerville Jazz Band" became a perennial contender at Bands of America championship events, earning 14 regional championships and the coveted 1992 Grand National Championship.

The Dynamic Marching Band is comprehensive in presenting a full spectrum of topics. The nuts-and-bolts technique sections — such as warmup exercises or steps for teaching drill — are well balanced with philosophical sections — such as the merits of competition and the importance of life balance for directors.

Markworth certainly shares techniques that he implemented in his own band program, but he's not afraid to share alternate viewpoints and options. He knows that the up-to-the-moment information in his book will continue to evolve over time. He encourages readers to continue the evolution.

"The book is a challenge to band directors to make the marching band a dynamic activity," Markworth says, "both in terms of musical and visual performance and as a vital and meaningful experience for the students."

The printed book is supported with supplemental online materials that can be downloaded and edited to fit each band's unique situation. Among the online materials are sample schedules, policies, show planning guides and other tools that are designed to save directors the time of creating the materials from scratch.

In the book's foreword, noted author and speaker Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser says, "This is not a book to be read and then put on the shelf, but rather it is one that will serve as an ongoing reference to be tapped time-and-time again; keep it within close reach."

The book is organized into 17 chapters, with the chapter titles as follows:

• Foundations of the Marching Band
• The Wind Section
• The Percussion Section
• The Color Guard
• The Marching Program
• Rehearsal Techniques
• Show Planning
• Drill Design
• Attitude
• Student Leadership
• Marching Band Recruiting
• Band Camp
• The Band Boosters
• Marching Band Evaluation
• Band Director Band/Life Balance
• Methods Class Materials
• Additional Materials

The Dynamic Marching Band is available in paperback (234 pages). Reduced price bulk orders may be purchased by calling Marching Show Concepts at 1-800-356-4381. For more information about the author, the book, and to purchase online, visit DynamicBand.com.

Images and source material courtesy of the book's distributor, Marching Show Concepts.

Copyright 2008 Marching.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published or redistributed without permission.

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The Dynamic Marching Band gives directors a manual of proven techniques