Book excerpt: This book helps band directors teach and develop successful jazz programs in middle schools and high schools. Ronald E. Kearns provides a step-by-step approach to starting a jazz program, teaching jazz performance, and maintaining the program once it has been established. He addresses a variety of topics, including: the first steps that need to be taken introductory jazz pedagogical skills sample lesson plans suggested literature budget development recruiting retaining classroom management Oftentimes, band directors—especially those who are classically trained—find themselves woefully unprepared to teach jazz since many colleges and universities only provide a cursory look at teaching or developing a jazz program. This book provides the practical tools to that will help directors overcome these challenges.