Philip: The standard 3-ring binders from Office Max, but not the super cheap ones. The D-ring binders hold more, make it more readily available, and stand up so well that I have bindners filed that go back quite a few years. I use similar binders in different colors for my class notes. Mostly 1" binders, although slightly larger are sometimes preferable as long as they aren't so big as to be awkward to carry.

 

For our consorts at Indiana we used to use the super cheap cardboard and paper black binders and replaced them (for under a buck in the '70s) when they fell apart, and they got LOTS of use! Including a full week of Madrigal Dinners each December on table-stands.

 

There are certainly fancier and more beautiful CHORAL folders, some with hand straps and very suitable for soloist use, but I don't thing I've seen similar folders intended for conductors, who usually want to keep their full scores separate rather than in a binding.  If your dealing only with octavos or standard 8.5 x 11" paper a binder is fine, but full scores come in a huge variety of sizes, up to 11 x 17" or A3 size.

 

All the best,

 

John

 

 

 Philip, 

 

Staples sells a very sturdy binder, It's a black binder with a Grey rubber edging, so that the ends do not wear off. It is about a $10.00 binder, but i have had it for about 3 years now. Easily, this was one of my smartest purchases since I started teaching/conducting. It has a clear front and side pocket for labeling purposes. Check it out and give it a try.

 

Lots of luck, 

Lynn 

 

 

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Lynn G. Atkins, MM/DMA Candidate

Doctoral Assistant to the Director of Choral Activities

Conductor, JMU Treble Chamber Choir

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA