Low-income, high-population urban middle school here with two directors.

Our approach includes daily scale practice in class, with regular testing. We use a unison Bb chromatic scale and play the same scales multiple times, giving woodwinds the opportunity to play in the second and even third octave.

We also hold homogeneous sectionals once a week for each section (four days a week total), where we focus on etudes and extended range on scales for 45–55 minutes after school.

All of our varsity students are required to participate in All-City auditions. As the event approaches, one director pulls small groups of students—based on ability and section—for focused 15-minute sessions.

Each year, we typically have 1–6 students make the TMEA AR band. It’s not the same as many as districts with more funding or resources, but our kids work hard and are better for it. We do our best with what we have.