Thank you for reading Top 3 by Three, a series promoting great band repertoire. The series features three outstanding band directors and three of their favorite band works. Choosing great music can be a challenging task, but it is such an integral part of educating and engaging your students. Top 3 by Three aims to help you choose music that your students' will love and learn from. Veteran teacher, Stacey Larson Dolan - Associate Director of Bands at VanderCook College of Mus

22 years of teaching middle school band and I still get excited about beginning a new school year. Seeing eager new and returning students is invigorating and reminds me of why I became a teacher. The importance of our actions cannot be underestimated during those critical first days. Simply put, plan for success. What is the goal for the first week? What do you want the students to accomplish? Plan each day with this goal in mind. Use the ideas below to plan for your best y