ESSENTIAL CLASSICS is a collection of pieces ideally suited to introduce beginning bands, whether in or outside of school, to the classical repertoire. The easy arrangements make the most popular melodies of all time accessible to young musicians, without the frustration of playing music that is too difficult for them. Now they can enjoy music from instrumental works and operas to oratorios and lieder, from Tylman Susato to George Gershwin. The pieces are arranged in ascending order of difficulty, coinciding with the progress students are making in Volumes 1 and 2 of ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS the complete method for music education in schools and bands. But even without ESSENTIALELEMENTS, ESSENTIAL CLASSICS is an excellent source of repertoire by itself. In addition to the music the individual parts contain short snippets of information about the music, composer and genre, written in a style younger players will understand. The full score contains more in-depth information on the music. No ma tter how you use ESSENTIAL CLASSICS with your band, your players will love all the fun and engaging arrangements it as to offer.