Music Resources (Books, Apps, Websites) & Bay Area Youth Music Opportunities
Bay Area Youth Orchestras & Ensembles
Joining a youth ensemble in your area can be a great way to interact with your local music community and improve while doing it! Many programs have a tiered structure where they can accommodate multiple playing levels, from beginners to advanced players.
Institutions, Community-Based & Small Group Opportunities
SFJAZZ High School All-Stars – SF
Cost: Scholarships available
Offerings: Elite jazz ensemble for high schoolers
Ruth Asawa School of the Arts (SOTA) – SF
Cost: Public school, free tuition
Offerings: Intensive arts education for middle/high school students
Website: sfusd.edu/schools
Bay Area Music Project (BAMP) – Alameda
Cost: Sliding scale with scholarships
Offerings: After-school orchestra and music classes
Brass Technique & Learning Resources
International Trumpet Guild (ITG)
Articles, exercises, interviews, and performance tips
Student competitions and scholarships
Free articles, sheet music, warm-ups, pedagogy for all trombone levels
Excellent resource for French horn players (but also helpful for all brass)
Technique breakdowns, mouthpiece advice, and professional insights
Free downloadable orchestral excerpts for trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba
Great for practice and audition prep
Free & Paid Sheet Music
IMSLP – International Music Score Library Project
Massive library of public domain brass solos, duets, and orchestral parts
Free beginner to intermediate sheet music and warm-ups
Includes audio play-alongs and tutorials
Mix of free and affordable PDFs
Duets, solo pieces, and method books
Method Books & Study Tools
Arban Method Book (Trumpet/Trombone) – Free via IMSLP
The “bible” of brass playing. Recommended for all serious players.
Breathing Gym
Brass-specific breathing and warm-up exercises
Used by professional brass players and marching bands
6 Weeks Till Finals: The Complete System for Audition Success - Sharon Sparrow
For audition prep
Learn Faster Perform Better: A Musician's Guide to the Neuroscience of Practicing - Molly Gebrian
For smarter practicing
The Little Book of Talents (The Talent Code) : 52 Tips for Improving Your Skills - Daniel Coyle
Quick daily improvement tips
The Confident Mind: A Battle-Tested Guide to Unshakable Performance - Dr. Nate Zinsser
For performance confidence
Mental training to fight nerves and build belief
Tools used by elite athletes and musicians
Practicing With Purpose: An Indispensable Resource to Increase Musical Proficiency - David Kish
For structured growth
Clear strategies for warming up, goal-setting, and fixing mistakes
Ideal for students who want to level up fast