Basic Music List Resource Guides

In an effort to make our Basic Music List more user-friendly to our membership, the MSBOA Music Education Committee has created an informational spreadsheet for the pieces on the list. Inspired by Matt Palmieri’s (District 10) presentation at MMC on the Junior High Class D Band list, we are hoping to use the combined experience of our membership to help fill in information on the lists. The goal is to create a more comprehensive database of information that our membership can use to help program required pieces for festival, especially for directors who may not be familiar with the BML.
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   Basic Music Resource Guides Folder |       Click for Band, Jazz Band, Full Orchestra, and String Orchestra! New link as of January 2025

2022 Basic Music List Additions
2023 Basic Music List Additions

How to contribute to the resource guide:
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  • In Print 
    • If the piece is out of print, enter OP. 
    • If the print is available via E-Print, write “E” 
  • Key
    • Minor keys are lowercase, major keys are uppercase (ex. Bb, dm) 
  • Time 
    • This means time signature (formatted 4’4), not the time to perform the piece. 
  • Tempo
    • List all tempo markings in the piece. 
    • Rit, accl, rall, etc. do not need to be included 
  • # of Measures 
    • Separate movements by comma 
  • Instrumentation 
    • Wind instrumentation only 
    • Be sure to note where parts are doubled (ex. Low brass), or there are separate parts for each instrument (ex. 2cl, 2tpt) 
    • Any unique percussion instruments (ex. Train whistle, djembe, log drum) may be listed in comments. 
  • Min Perc
    • The minimum number of percussionists needed to perform the piece, with each student playing one instrument at a time (ex. Not playing snare and bass at the same time). Use your best judgement. 
  • Difficulty
    • The difficulty rating 
  • Comments
    • Any additional information on the piece that you feel would be helpful to someone who is not familiar with it. 
      • Soloists, unique percussion instruments, extended techniques