"14 Weeks to a Better Band both Senior High and Junior High editions are familiar books which I have used over the years teaching different rhythms and developing a sense of internal pulse for my student musicians. I have been using these books for the past 5 years and I must say they are good and helpful. My students have gained both individually and as an ensemble. Sometimes, I modify the exercises to make it relevant to what I am teaching for that lesson."

-Brando Tan Heng Pong ,
Band Director
Commonwealth Secondary and Ang Mo Kio Secondary Schools
Singapore, Singapore

"My band was selected to participate in the pilot study of '14 Weeks to a Better Band.' When the music was exchanged midway during the study, the band played the new selection on three different occasions without making a rhythmic error. By using the book in daily rehearsals, the band improved greatly in sight reading and general playing ability. I also used it with similar success with a junior high band."

-Luman Colton,
Retired Director
Jefferson High School Band
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

"Thank you so very much for sending a copy of your latest '14 Weeks to a Better Band'. Indeed your books have been used here. The Senior High Set is now in Bet Shaan in the Jordan Valley being used by Dani Reeder the Conductor of the Youth Band there. I used them extensively last year at the Ruben Academy of Music here in Jerusalem where they were most helpful in developing sight reading skills. This year I have used them for audition material from junior to senior band and for supplementary instruction with children from the Jerusalem Youth Bands."

"You have provided young instrumental musicans with an effective and innovative aid to developing musicianship. I am happy to have been able to use your books with the children of Israel in developing their sightreading ability."

Jimmie Reynolds
Jerusalem, Israel
(Letter received February 12, 1983)

"Thank you so very much for the generous gifting of your 14 Weeks to a Better Band books. My students and I both enjoy using the books in rehearsals."

Linda Dvorak
Band Director
Lake Denoon Middle School
Muskego, Wisconsin

"As a middle school band director, I use '14 Weeks to a Better Band' by Roger Maxwell. I feel that it helps students to become better readers of music by reinforcing understanding of basic rhythm patterns by introducing them one at a time. I really feel that it increases the students ability to be better at sight reading music. "

Melanie Johanningmeier
Band Director
Nashua-Plainfield Middle School
Plainfield, Iowa

I am writing to compliment you on your fine work called ‘14 Weeks to an Improved Band Grades 5-7.’ I teach 5th and 6th grade elementary band and this is the first year we have tried your material. My students found it very enjoyable especially since so many of the songs are familiar to them.

Linda Birse
Former Elementary Band Teacher
Davis Joint Unified Schools
Davis, CA

"The course you have outlined in 'Sing a New Song' is both unique and interesting. Its use in a teaching environment where basic fundamentals are lacking could be constructive without being intimidating."

-Dr. Jerold Ottley,
Former Music Director
Mormon Tabernacle Choir

"'Sing a New Song' is a wonderful resource for musicians to improve their sight reading skill. Roger Maxwell has created a jewel to teach singers the importance of interpreting rhythms (and their divisions and sub-divisions). This systematic and progressive study also gives musicians the opportunity to improve overall musicianship individually and collectively as an ensemble. Our students especially enjoyed being involved in this exciting and educational project."

-John Vallentine, Ph.D.,
Director and Professor
School of Music
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

"This book was written to help singers of all ages and settings (school, community, and church) improve their music reading skills, especially in regard to rhythmic reading, and to use a variety of musical examples that would stimulate singers' interest. I think you will find this book different from any other sight-reading book on the market."

-Mike Walag,
Reviewer
Iowa Choral Directors Association

"Roger Maxwell's 'Sing a New Song' is a very effective text for teaching music reading. For example, triplets are difficult for anyone to master. The required repetition of singing this rhythmic figure has a pronounced effect on articulating it accurately. It is easy for me to highly recommend this text to music teachers, church choir directors and music amateurs."

-Dr. Harrison Boughton,
Professor Emeritus of Choral Studies
Wichita State University
Director of Music
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Wichita, Kansas

"My Chamber Choir and Jazz Choir went on our annual tour. We went to the Spokane area and exchanged music with many high schools and with Eastern Washington University teachers. While at the University, we sang one of their songs with them, so I had to sight read. The books you gave me have helped me be a better sight reader."

Scott King
Ellensburg, Washington