The Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method Books 1 & 2 combine a strong performance-centered approach with music theory, music history, ear training, listening, composition, improvisation, and interdisciplinary and multicultural studies.  The result is the most complete band method available anywhere. Bruce Pearson is a world-renowned music educator, author, composer, and clinician. He has taught at the elementary, junior high, high school and college level for over thirty years. Twice nominated for the prestigious Excellence in Education Award, he was recognized as most outstanding in the field of music for the state of Minnesota. In December, 1998, Dr. Pearson, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to music education, was awarded the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Director s Clinic Medal of Honor. In 2001, he was awarded St. Cloud State University s Distinguished Service To Music Award in appreciation for lifelong contribution to music and music education . In 2007, Dr. Pearson received St. Cloud State University s Distinguished Alumni Award. That same year he was recognized as the first Patron for the Maryborough Conference in Queensland, Australia. He is the author of the Standard of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method which has been regarded as the most important contribution to the band music field in the last three decades and for his first contribution, Best In Class. His new contribution, co-authored with Ryan Nowlin, the Tradition of Excellence Comprehensive Band Method, is a performance-centered curriculum that seamlessly blends time-tested and innovative pedagogy with cutting-edge technology. He also co-authored, with Dean Sorenson the Standard of Excellence Jazz Ensemble Method and the Standard of Excellence Advanced Jazz Ensemble Method. In addition to his method books, Dr. Pearson is well-known as a composer of many widely performed compositions for concert band and jazz ensemble. He has led clinics in all fifty of the United States and has been guest conductor and clinician, by invitation, of countries throughout the Pacific Rim, the Orient, Europe, and the Canadian provinces. Full color drawings and color-coding of important text and music motivate and inform Three starting systems help ensure positive results in any beginning situation Excellerators (advanced supplemental exercises) reinforce and enrich performance basics Music from over 20 countries, with correlated enrichments, encourages multicultural study.