Publications

Wendy Barden’s extensive work with students at all levels is the basis of several resources published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company. 

The Maximizing Student Performance series highlights small but significant elements that positively impact the performance of every band, choir, and orchestra – for learning, feedback, reflection, writing across the curriculum, higher-level thinking, learning environment, and student-teacher relationships. At your fingertips in each book is a brief discussion of the topic and many activities/forms that are ready to duplicate – or customize online – and take right into rehearsal! Whether you are an experienced teacher, or new to the classroom, Maximizing Student Performance has practical tools that will help you raise the performance of your ensembles to the highest level.

Rhythm Basics (2012) is a supplemental consumable workbook to help you teach, re-teach, reinforce, practice and apply rhythms commonly used in middle level and early high school repertoire. It is more than a “write-in-the-counting” book! A variety of activities are presented in each unit – activities that challenge students to extend their understanding of rhythms to higher-level thinking by moving up through Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy. Rhythm Basics is loosely based on the progression of lessons taught in String Basics Books 1, 2, and 3, but can be used successfully to support rhythm understanding in all instrumental music classes.  

Playing the recorder is a great way for everyone to learn music – at school or at home, in class or just for fun! Recorder Excellence and New! Recorder Apprentice are engaging, comprehensive resources that develop learning in three areas of music—playing instruments, creating, and understanding. Multimedia features include play-along accompaniments and computer-based real-time feedback.

Learn more about each book by clicking on the cover.