Helping Students Prepare for Fall Competitions & Winter Performances

As the leaves change and the school year hits full swing, so do rehearsals, competitions, and winter performance prep. For music directors, private teachers, and student musicians alike, fall is that sweet spot between routine and performance - the time to build skills, strengthen endurance, and find confidence before concert season arrives.

Whether your students are gearing up for marching band competitions, regional auditions, or winter concerts, the key to success lies in consistent practice, smart preparation, and yes - better breathing.

Let’s explore how you can help your students perform their best this season, with practical tips, mindset tools, and one simple, game-changing training device: the Breath Builder®.

1. Focus on Fundamentals First

It’s tempting to jump straight into performance mode once the season begins, but consistency in fundamentals is what separates good performances from great ones.

Encourage your students to revisit tone production, posture, tuning, and breath control daily. Even five minutes of focused fundamentals can make a world of difference when the adrenaline hits onstage.

Tip for Teachers: Start each rehearsal or class with a short fundamentals circuit - long tones, scales, and breathing exercises. This anchors focus and sets a confident tone for the day’s work.

2. Strengthen Lung Power with the Breath Builder®

The Breath Builder® has been a staple in band rooms and private studios for over 50 years - and for good reason. This simple tool trains students to control airflow, improve lung capacity, and sustain long phrases with ease.

How it works: Inside the device is a small ping-pong ball. The challenge? Keep the ball floating in the chamber by maintaining a steady stream of air while inhaling and exhaling. It’s equal parts fun and effective - and it instantly provides feedback.

Students love turning it into a competition:

Who can keep the ball up the longest?

Who can improve their time by the end of the week?

Which section can show the biggest improvement?

That sense of play makes it one of the most effective and engaging breathing tools available - perfect for fall training sessions.

3. Build Confidence Through Simulation

Performance anxiety is natural, but practice under pressure is the cure.

Hold mini-performances during class where students “compete” in a friendly way. Encourage them to play solos or ensemble sections in front of peers. Make it lighthearted but constructive - focusing on expression and stage presence, not just technical perfection.

Teachers can simulate the real event environment - dim the lights, set up an audience, even record performances for review. The more comfortable students are in that setting, the more natural it’ll feel when it counts.

Bonus Tip: Pair this with a few deep-breathing exercises using the Breath Builder® before each mock performance. It helps calm nerves and focus the body.

4. Support Mental and Physical Wellness

Between schoolwork, rehearsals, and performances, students can burn out fast. As educators and mentors, it’s vital to encourage healthy habits that keep energy and morale high.

Some helpful reminders to share with your students:

• Sleep matters. Rest helps the brain retain music and technique.

• Hydrate daily. Especially with increased breathing work, staying hydrated keeps everything functioning smoothly.

• Move your body. Stretching or short walks improve posture and lung function.

• Breathe intentionally. Even outside of rehearsal, use slow, deep breathing to reduce stress and reset focus.

The best performances come not just from skill, but from balance - mentally, emotionally, and physically.

5. Celebrate Progress, Not Just Perfection

As competition season heats up, remind students that growth is the true goal. Every rehearsal, every small improvement, and every brave performance builds musicianship and confidence that lasts long after the season ends.

Take moments to celebrate wins - even small ones. Recognizing effort builds motivation and helps students associate music-making with joy, not just pressure.

As educators and mentors, your job isn’t just to teach notes - it’s to shape confident, expressive musicians who understand that performance is about more than placement or rankings.

This season, build your students’ foundation through steady practice, deep breathing, and a sense of fun. Let tools like the Breath Builder® make training playful and effective, and keep the joy of music alive - even in competition mode.

After all, the best performances come from lungs. and hearts, full of breath, confidence, and passion.