If your band director has made the show's music available in a computer program such as SmartMusic Studio find a way to practice with it whenever possible until you are confident that you are playing the music correctly. SmartMusic and other virtual accompaniment software programs put the music on the screen and help you to learn the rhythms and melodies more easily. They also listen to you as you play and show you where you are making mistakes.
HOW do I order SmartMusic? How is it put on the computer? And...how do students access it? A great idea for the 2009-10 school year. Any advice? I teach 4th/5th grade strings and need better rehearsal/practice strategies. Thanks very music! CS PS Cost to my school district would be what?
Go to Smartmusic.com and sign up for a subscription. If the teacher/school buys a school subscription ($120 I think?)then the students can buy their own for home use for only $20 a year.
When you buy the subscription you can either order a CD to be mailed to you to install from or you can download the installer to the computer directly from their web site.
Home 
Tales From The Podium Chad Criswell's Music Tech Blog
Articles And Resources
Downloads and Free Sheet Music
Comments
Thanks very music!
CS
PS Cost to my school district would be what?
When you buy the subscription you can either order a CD to be mailed to you to install from or you can download the installer to the computer directly from their web site.