The Creative Director: Alternative Rehearsal Techniques

This is a great book for bringing focus into every rehearsal. I use it every day with my high school concert band. It has helped each individual play with more confidence by not always having to rely on stronger players. It has helped them listen to each other and really think for themselves. It offers concrete ideas for improving dynamics, rhythm, intonation, tone quality, blend, articulation, and scales using endless creative methods that can be applied to specific pieces we are working on. The students learn to listen to each other and play as a group. This is the most useful book I have ever read on this topic. It is an excellent book I highly recommend to every conductor.

I just received this item today from Amazon and I was surprised to find that the cover looked like it belonged on a used version of this text and not a new one. The spine is slightly wrinkled and there is some discoloration that looks like what happens when bleach touches colored fabric. I've ordered a lot from Amazon and I've never encountered anything like this before. Maybe consider buying a used version of this book if this is how the new ones are looking from Amazon? I'm giving it four stars because only the cover is what I would consider damaged.

Just getting into this book, and can't wait to really understand and apply all he goes into. This book is filled with well founded, great stuff!

A fantastic book. Solved all of my problems that I was struggling with in my high school ensemble.

A fantastic resource for any band director. Ed Lisk's concepts still help build a strong program with great music readers and expressive/independent students.

Great resource for all band directors!

Mr. Lisk was the wind ensemble director for many years in my alma mater. I can assure you that our bands did not win all those awards without some of the best conductors in the business. Although not my conductor (I was not as dedicated as I could have been to desire a chair in W.E. but my own conductor won us numerous awards at competitions), Mr. Lisk would sometimes substitute and I can assure you that without saying a word, he had this presence that demanded his respect and attention.The techniques he used empowered us to believe we were capable of better. It's been many years, but I remember he would take our group (imagine a school where 2/3s of the students were in one band or another, the "cream" of which were in wind ensemble), the least of the dedicated and turn our session into pure magic. He enticed you to perform your best without yelling, without coercion-there was something to the way he pulled the music from our hearts and very beings. You wanted to please him and you felt like a proper musician under his tutelage.I have as previously stated not read his book but I am certain that based on my own personal experiences working with him that one could learn a lot from him.Seeing as many of his former students went on to be professional musicians (and music teachers) themselves, I think his book merits a read.

This book is outstanding! For years I have used the techniques presented in this book. There is no question about it, the techniques presented here will help your group improve and grow.I have used this book in Japan with the groups that I work with and every time I do, they always sound better and play better. It is interesting to see how the Japanese conductors use and re-use the material presented.There are so few outstanding books on this topic that this book truly rises to the top. You can employ the techniques in this book at all levels, early, middle, advanced and pro. After you try it you'll see what I mean. My middle school kids love the challenge and the semi-pro's in Japan I work with love it as well! It is both intellectually stimulating and fun.Along with this book, I suggest buying the performer copies and video. Take some time to really understand the way Lisk presents the information and then work the techniques into your routine(s). Once you get the hang of it, there are literally hundreds of ways to manipulate the techniques, so find some that help your group the most and don't overplay them - change them around - so as to keep the group moving ahead and growing.I can't say enough good things about this book and the techniques it offers - I think if you ask any great conductor about them they will all agree - this is indeed a fantastic teaching tool and a great approach to learning!

Absolutely a wonderful resource for life-long learners!!!!!