Essential Elements shines as music educators vote in force

What a year — and what a response from music educators across the country! Thousands of teachers cast their votes in the 2025 SBO+ Teacher’s Choice Awards, making their voices heard and celebrating the tools, resources, and companies that make music education possible every single day.

We’re thrilled to share that both Hal Leonard and our Essential Elements learning range earned top honors in multiple categories. The recognition is even more meaningful because these awards are chosen entirely by teachers and band leaders themselves.

Our Big Wins

Essential Elements won in multiple categories, underscoring what educators have shared with us for years: Essential Elements remains one of the most comprehensive, flexible, and effective music education systems ever created. Our 2025 top prizes were:

• Best String Method — Essential Elements
• Best Wind & Percussion Method — Essential Elements
• Best Choral Method — Essential Elements
• Best General Music Method — Essential Elements Music Class.

Hal Leonard were also delighted to win Marching Band Publisher Of The Year! Browse some of our latest marching band arrangements here.

A huge thank you to all the educators who voted. Your work growing the next generation of musicians always inspires us to make better methods and music titles.

We can't wait to continue to support you and your students in 2026!

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