Book excerpt: Concert season is an irreplaceable time that teaches the percussionist musical development, ensemble awareness, discipline, and musical sensitivity. Students learn how to compliment the wind ensemble and get to learn several new instruments. While the music in most standard band literature is not very challenging to the well-rounded percussionist, it does offer the chance for a young percussionist to gain comfort in other areas fo her craft. Since band literature in usually less challenging to the percussion section, concert season lends itself to developing a percussion ensemble and/or a winter drumline. Percussion ensembles use the normal concert percussion instruments, but expand the ensemble to be complete within itself. All aspects of the music are carried in the percussion section. This allows the student to focus on her individual part and how it relates to the rest of the section. The parts can be very difficult, or quite simple, so the student must learn good practice habits. Winter drumline is basically an indoor version of marching drumlines. All music is contained in the percussion section and drill is even involved most times. Through the use of percussion ensembles, the student will learn responsibility for her own parts, and she will be more actively involved during the srping months. -- Back cover.