Meredith Qiang Fuller

Resilient Roots was a dream of mine that stemmed from a passion to give beginner tuba and euphonium students a quality music education with quality music. In collaboration with Diversify the Stand, this project has become reality.

My doctoral research focused on the apparent gaps in skill level of low brass students (specifically tuba and euphonium) compared to their other instrumental counterparts. Some factors included band music that did not challenge students, a lack of clear solo music for beginning levels, and a lack of understanding to the solo repertoire options for beginning low brass instruments.

In a survey conducted during that research, many teachers view beginning levels as the hardest level to teach, while also valuing solo literature the least in these stages (compared to method books and etudes). One barrier to minimize this deficit in skill was the lack of solo repertoire that was accessible and known to band directors/private teachers, as well as being appropriate in skill level and progression for beginning students. Another note was the lack of current compositions that show a wide range of living composers and styles. 

We now have Resilient Roots that includes 13 new solo works of progressive levels! The collection encompasses 7 different living and underrepresented composers that have shared their talents. All composers have a strong understanding of brass pedagogy, and many are low brass musicians themselves! 

I hope this book becomes a valuable resource to teachers and students alike.