This magazine is designed as a practical guide for secondary students who are starting bassoon for the first time. Throughout this magazine, you will see QR codes with play-along tracks, bassoon-specific articles, and resources to help you get started!

The purpose of this project is to create a practical workbook tailored for my middle school and early high school students. This book will provide comprehensive foundational knowledge about the low brass instruments, including the trombone, euphonium, and tuba. In two parts, this book aims to give students the Lowdown (AKA the history, assembly, maintenance) of these instruments, and then a Hoedown, which will be the practical tools and exercises to get started and to develop their technique and musicianship as low brass musicians.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a theoretical framework that guides inclusive
classroom instruction and accessible course materials for all learners. UDL does not propose a
single, one-size-fits-all solution but rather a set of flexible scaffolds and supports to meet
individual students’ learning needs. UDL is an emerging area of research in music education. A
majority of the research has taken place in general education settings but has yet to be given the
same attention in the music education research field. The purpose of this thesis is to explore how
UDL strategies may be applied in the secondary school music classroom. I provide secondary
band educators with practical suggestions for accessible teaching strategies to merge into their
existing curriculum and practice.

This area-wide initiative is an actionable plan to methodically and intentionally grow the Clovis West Area Instrumental Music Program.