This publication provides orchestra teachers with techniques for conducting, choosing repertoire, program development, recruiting, playing styles, and preparing for competitions. It is the latest in MENC's popular Spotlight series, comprising articles that have appeared in state MEA journals. It is made up of 9 sections, and has a total of 53 articles contained in this volume. Following the Introduction, the Table of Contents is Arranged as follows: Section 1, "Program Development" contains the following article titles: (1) "Catching Them Early" (David De Roest); (2) "How to Build an Orchestra Program in a Time of Budget Reductions" (Jay Ellis); (3) "Ten Benefits of Parental Involvement" (Tim Lautzenheiser); (4) "Selecting Student Leaders" (Tim Lautzenheiser); (5) "The A-B-C's of Collaboration: Orchestra, Directors, Collaborate with Your Collegiate Counterpart" (David E. Leithmann); (6) "You Can Develop an Excellent String Program in Your School; Getting Students Involved in the Program" ( Stephen Phalp); (7) "Establishing Patterns of Excellence" (Kristin Turner); and (8) "Garage Orchestra: An Oxymoron That Provides an Alternate Learning Environment for String Students" (Joanne Wegscheid); Section 2, "Repertiore Selection"contains the following articles: (9) "In the Beginning" (Kenneth G. Bloomquist); (10) "Programming for Your String Ensemble" (Ann Danis); (11) "Pieces for String Orchestra by Women Composers: What?s Out There?" ( Juanita Karpf); (12) "Commissioning: It's Easier than You Think!" (John Lace); (13) "Let Us Give Credit to All the Composers and Arrangers" ( Thomas Mosher); and (14) "Finding Appropriate Literature for the Beginning String Student" (Jean Craig Surplus). Section 3, "Rehearsal Techniques" contains the following articles: (15) "How to Get the Best Sound from a String Orchestra: Tips for Music Teachers on How to Improve the Sound of Their Strings" (Wesley Baldwin); (16) "Long-Term Group Assignments and Assessments" (Susan Chandler); tring Ciego); (18) "School Orchestras Can Play in Tune" (Joanne Donnellan and Ian Edlund); (19) "How to Not Hold Your Violin?for Better Left Hand Position!" (Janet Farrar-Royce); (20) "Cold Cross Buns! A New Approach to Teaching Lowered Second Finger" (Janet Farrar-Royce); (21) "Comprehensive Musicianshipin the Orchestra Rehearsal: The Use of Student Study Guides" (Karen Frink); (22) "Warming Up: Don?t Forget Suzuki!" (Juanita Karpf); (23) "Reflections on the Bow: A Few Thoughts on an Infinite Subject" (Jonathan C. Kramer); (24) "Stir the Soup: Encouraging Musical Independence through Rotational Seating in an Ensemble" (Ginger Marten); (25) "So You Want to Play Well?" (Michael S. Milnarek); (26) "You Can Build a Successful Orchestra Program: Vibrato" ( Stephen Phalp); (27) "The First Six Minutes: Setting the Stage for a Productive Music Rehearsal" ( Joseph Ruszkowski); (28) "Research Perspectives on Practice in Instrumental Music"(Bret P. Smith); (29) "How to Buy a Violin" (Roger Stearns); and (30) "Equipping the Beginning String Student for Success" (Jean Craig Suplus). Section 4, "Conducting" contains the following articles: (31) "Developing a Tension-Free Podium Stance" (Paul Elliot Cobbs); (32) "Ten Steps to Becoming a "Better" Conductor" (David Killiam); and (33) "How is your Float, Flick, Dab, and Punch? Using Laban Principles of Dance Movement to Improve Nonverbal Conducting Technique" (Timothy Yontz); Section 5, "Adjudication" contains the following articles: (34) "Preparing Students for the Solo and Ensemble Contest" (Scott Deal); (35) "Taking your Students to Festival" (Becky Norman); and (36) "Can You Learn to Have a Good Orchestra Audition?" (Lanny Stutheit); Section 6, "Teaching All Learners" contains the following articles: (37) "Differentiation and the Orchestra: Part I" ( Kim Evander); (38) "Differentiation and the Orchestra: Part II" (Kim Evander); and (39) "Teaching Music, Teaching Life: The Adaptive Orcra" (Jtthew arbarad Kathrrott); Sen Muull c"tathe following articles: (40) "Alternative Styles for String Playing" (Sara Edgerton); (41) "Incorporating Scottish Fiddle into String Class" (Bruce Erwin); (42) "Why Rock and Roll?" (Michael Gagliardo); and (43) "World Musics in String Education" ( Terese M. Volk). Section 8, "Philosophy" contains the following articles: (44) "The Meanings in Zen" (Paul Elliot Cobbs); (45) "Take Time to Make Time for Music" (Ruth Johnson); (46) "Pedagogical Shalts and Shalt Nots" (Jonathan C. Kramer); (47) "Where Is Your Philosophy?" (Tobin Langridge); and (48) "Being Aware Is More Important than Being Smart: Ensemble Rehearsal Lessons Transferred from the Hardwood" (Thomas Rohrer). Section 9, "Inspiration" contains the following articles: (49) "Strung Up!" (Steve Damon); (50) "Going for the Gold! Summer 2003 String Olympics: PMEA First to Sponsor Olympic Competition for Musicians" (David E. Leithmann); (51) "The Awards Ceremony" (Shirley S. Mullins); (52) "The Last Lesson" (Shirley S. Mullins); and (53) "Music over Time" (Peggy Rudolph).