IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON INSTRUMENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

BUYING/RENTING AN INSTRUMENT

Local music stores have rental and rent to own programs for instruments. These programs may include a repair/maintenance option. Benefits to renting include a lower initial cost while students decide if they like playing the instrument. Many dealers also apply a percentage of your rental toward the purchase of the instrument - and will apply your principal amount toward a step-up or professional level instrument if you want to upgrade. The best reason to rent/purchase from a music dealer is you can be assured that the instrument is in good, playable condition and the instrument will not be an obstacle the student needs to deal with while learning.

USING A PREVIOUSLY-OWNED INSTRUMENT

Many people have an instrument sitting around the house, or will look online or at a local pawn shop. This MAY create obstacles for students as they are learning an instrument. Musical instruments are delicate, complex pieces of equipment that must be in good condition to work. While an instrument may look good - it may have issues that a reguar person doesn't see.

If you have an instrument already: The instrument should be taken to a local instrument repair technician for evaluation. Time is an enemy of instruments - woodwind pads will dry up and shrink, string instruments may crack from the Colorado dryness and brass instruments may develop brass rot from bacteria. Even if the instrument was in great shape when it was stored, it may need work now. Keep in mind, repair shops get very busy in the summer and may take some time - our recommendation is to get your instrument in for evaluation as soon as possible.
If you are looking online: Like everything, there are good brands and bad brands. If you know what you are looking for/at, you may find a good deal online - but if you don't, you may end up with an instrument that even the best player in the world can't play well. Online reviews written by knowledgable people can help - but many reviews do not focus on the long-term quality of the instrument. Our recommendation is to shop local, where we know dealers only sell reputable brands/models and avoid purchasing online unless you know what you are looking at.

DOES PSD PROVIDE INSTRUMENTS?

YES - Poudre School District has historically provided the larger, more expensive instruments (cello, string bass, French horn, baritone/euphonium and tuba) for students in PSD schools (PSD does not supply instruments for students in charter schools, home schooled students, or students attending classes in non-PSD schools). Schools have a limited supply of these instruments - so the sooner you talk with a teacher, the better. These instruments are provided at no charge (however damage due to abuse or accidents may be charged to the family for repair/replacement).

Once you have decided what instrument you want to play - contact the teacher at the middle school your child will attend in the fall. REMEMBER, PSD TEACHERS ARE ON SUMMER VACATION AFTER MAY 30. Arrangements for instruments should be made before then
When you reserve an instrument with your middle school teacher, they will let you know if you should pick up the instrument before summer, or if it will be delivered to your summer location

WHAT ABOUT OTHER INSTRUMENTS?

Our recommendation is that families that can provide the smaller instruments (violin, viola, flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone and percussion) rent/purchase from a local music store. If schools have these instruments, they were probably donated to the school and may be up to thirty years old (imagine using a lawn mower that is thirty years old, that may have been used by ten different people and had minimal maintenance over its lifespan). In PSD, we do not want finances to deter families from playing an instrument, so if you cannot provide a smaller instrument:

Contact the music teacher at the middle school you will attend in the fall and talk with them. If the school has an instrument you can use, they will let you know when/where to pick it up. If the school cannot provide the instrument, they will check with other schools to see if they can borrow an instrument from another school for you/your child. If an instrument is not available in PSD, they will provide you with information on sources that can provide instruments to use at no charge.
The process for getting these instruments can take some time, and resources are limited, so our recommendation is to start this process as soon as you can so an instrument can be reserved and ready before the summer session.
REMEMBER, PSD TEACHERS ARE ON SUMMER VACATION AFTER MAY 30. Arrangements for instruments should be made before then.

SPECIFIC INSTRUMENT INFORMATION

The Information below is for general information only. You will want to default to the information your school's band/orchestra teacher communicated this spring.

STRING INSTRUMENTS

VIOLIN

Violin students should bring:

Violin* and Bow
Rosin
Shoulder Rest*
Pencil(s)

*Violins come in different sizes. It is important that students get the proper size instrument. The staff at local music stores can help determine the right size instrument, and help fit the shoulder rest (which also comes in different sizes). AS STUDENTS GROW, THEY WILL NEED TO EXCHANGE THEIR INSTRUMENT FOR THE PROPER SIZE

VIOLA

Viola students should bring:

Viola* and Bow
Rosin
Shoulder Rest*
Pencil(s)

*Violas come in different sizes. It is important that students get the proper size instrument. The staff at local music stores can help determine the right size instrument, and help fit the shoulder rest (which also comes in different sizes). AS STUDENTS GROW, THEY WILL NEED TO EXCHANGE THEIR INSTRUMENT FOR THE PROPER SIZE

CELLO

Cello students should bring:

Cello* and Bow
Case or bag to safely transport the instrument
Rosin
Pencil(s)

*Cellos come in different sizes. It is important that students get the proper size instrument. The middle school music teacher will determine the right size instrument. AS STUDENTS GROW, THEY WILL NEED TO EXCHANGE THEIR INSTRUMENT FOR THE PROPER SIZE

Depending on the site, students may be able to store their cello at the school during the summer session so transportation may not be needed for cellos

STRING BASS

String Bass students should bring:

String Bass* and Bow
Bag to safely transport the instrument
Rosin
Pencil(s)

*String Basses come in different sizes. It is important that students get the proper size instrument. The middle school music teacher will determine the right size instrument. AS STUDENTS GROW, THEY WILL NEED TO EXCHANGE THEIR INSTRUMENT FOR THE PROPER SIZE

Depending on the site, students may be able to store their string basses at the school during the summer session so transportation may not be needed for string basses.

WOODWIND INSTRUMENTS

FLUTE

Flute students should bring:

Flute (in flute case)*
Flute cleaning rod
Flute cleaning swab/silk
Pencil(s)

*Flutes come in "open hole" and "closed hole" models. Open hole flutes are considered step-up instruments and generally will be of better quality. If you choose to get an open hole flute, make sure you get flute plugs which can be inserted in the open holes to make it a closed hole flute (easier to learn on)

CLARINET

Clarinet students should bring:

Clarinet (in clarinet case)*
A minimum of three reeds^
Clarinet cleaning swab/silk
Pencil(s)

*Clarinets are generally made from plastic or wood. You may see plastic clarinets in different colors - we ask you avoid these instruments as they are generally of a much lower quality. Look for the traditional black instrument.

^Clarinet reeds come in a variety of strengths - they are numbered from 1 (softest) to 5 (hardest). The brand and strength of the reed will have a huge impact on playing the clarinet (and will change as students progress). You should contact the band director at the middle school your child will attend in the fall to find out what brand/strength reed you should bring to summer music

OTHER WOODWINDS

PSD Does not start students on oboe, bassoon or saxophone. Students who want to play oboe should start with flute, students who want to play bassoon or saxophone should start with clarinet. Contact your students middle school teacher for more information.

BRASS INSTRUMENTS

TRUMPETS

Trumpet students should bring:

Trumpet/Cornet in case*
Mouthpiece (Bach 7C or comparable)
Valve oil and slide grease
Cleaning supplies
Pencil(s)

*Trumpets and cornets are related instruments and play essentially the same. If renting/purchasing an instrument, our recommendation is to get a trumpet, but if you have a cornet in good condition, your student can use it. Brass instruments come in silver, gold and other colors. Plastic instruments and instruments that are colored (not silver or gold) should be avoided. These instruments are generally of much lower quality.

TROMBONES

Trombone students should bring:

Trombone in case*
Mouthpiece (Bach 6 1/2 AL or comparable)
Slide oil or slide cream
Slide grease
Cleaning supplies
Pencil(s)

*Trombones come in many different models. If renting/purchasing our recommendation is a trombone with an "F-Attachment." This adds a rotary valve that allows students to play lower and with easier slide positions - which is especially useful for students with shorter arms. Brass instruments come in silver, gold and other colors. Plastic instruments and instruments that are colored (not silver or gold) should be avoided. These instruments are generally of much lower quality.

French Horn

French Horn students should bring:

French Horn in case*
Mouthpiece (Yamaha 30C4, Farkus MDC or comparable)
Rotary valve oil and slide grease
Cleaning supplies
Pencil(s)

*French horn is a mid-priced instrument and can be rented/purchased from local music stores, or obtained through your middle school. The advantage of renting is you will in general get a better quality instrument that is in newer, better condition than what we have in the schools. French horns come in "single" and "double" models. If you are going to rent/purchase an instrument we highly recommend a "Double" horn. See above for information on using a school-owned instrument.

Baritone/Euphonium

Baritone/Euphonium students should bring:

Baritone/Euphonium in case*
Mouthpiece (Bach 6 1/2 AL or comparable)
Valve oil and slide grease
Cleaning supplies
Pencil(s)

*Baritones and Euphoniums are similar instruments, and both are used in PSD. Baritone and Euphonium is a mid-priced instrument and can be rented/purchased from local music stores, or obtained through your middle school. The advantage of renting is you will in general get a better quality instrument that is in newer, better condition than what we have in the schools. See above for information on using a school-owned instrument.

NOTE: Kinard middle school does not start students on baritone/euphonium. Contact Mr. Perez if you have questions.

Tuba

Tuba students should bring:

Tuba in case*
Mouthpiece (Bach 18 or comparable)
Valve oil and slide grease
Cleaning supplies
SMALLER STUDENTS MAY BENEFIT FROM A TUBA STAND. Your summer music teacher will make recommendations for stands in class.
Pencil(s)

*Tubas come in various sizes. Most beginners begin on a 3/4 size instrument. They also come in 3 valve, 4 valve and 5 valve models - again, beginners generally start on a 3 or 4 valve instrument. Tuba is an expensive instrument. Because of the costs, very few local music stores have instruments to rent. If you are interested in renting an instrument, check - they may have one available, otherwise, see above for information on using a school-owned instrument.

PERCUSSION

NOTE: In PSD, Percussion is NOT drum set. While students will eventually have opportunities to play ALL percussion instruments (timpani, cymbals, auxiliary, drum set, etc.), in PSD we start with students learning a mallet instrument and a snare drum/practice pad.

Each middle school in PSD has their own requirements for percussion. Before enrolling in percussion classes or getting instruments/equipments:

Contact the teacher at the middle school your child will attend in the fall. Find out if they have auditions/tryouts for percussion and if so, what you need to do before being allowed to play percussion.
If approved to play percussion, ask that teacher exactly what you need to provide. Some schools will ask for a percussion kit, others ask for separate instruments. Every school has a percussion list (that includes any instruments, specific sticks and mallets).
For the summer program, you should plan on bringing all your equipment to the first class meeting. Most summer schools will have you leave your equipment at school during the three week program so you won't have to transport it - but check with the teacher at your summer school if you have questions or concerns.

CONTACT

Summer Music Coordinator - Scott Schlup - sschlup@psdschools.org - (970) 732-7878

Summer Music Teachers - Listed with the class information (links above) - Click their name to send an email

School Year Orchestra Teachers:

Blevins Middle School - Brian Floyd - bfloyd@psdschools.org
Boltz Middle School - Melissa Claeys - meclaeys@psdschools.org
Cache La Poudre Middle School - Nichole Markle - nmarkle@psdschools.org
Kinard Middle School - Leanne Griffey - lgriffey@psdschools.org
Lesher Middle School - Loni Obluda - lobluda@psdschools.org
Lincoln Middle School - Dana Kettlewell - dkettlewell@psdschools.org
Timnath Middle/High School - Andrew Mendizabal - amendizabal@psdschools.org
Preston Middle School - Josh Greiner - jgreiner@psdschools.org
Webber Middle School - Noelle Bauman - nbauman@psdschools.org
Wellington Middle/High School - Noah Walker - nwalker@psdschools.org

School Year Band Teachers:

Blevins Middle School - Carson Sachtleben - csachtleben@psdschools.org
Boltz Middle School - Phoung Nguyen - dnguyen@psdschools.org
Cache La Poudre Middle School - Nichole Markle - nmarkle@psdschools.org
Kinard Middle School - Mike Perez - mperez@psdschools.org
Lesher Middle School - Meghan Munoz - mmunoz@psdschools.org
Lincoln Middle School - Dana Kettlewell - dkettlewell@psdschools.org
Timnath Middle/High School - Andrea Frost - afrotst@psdschools.org
Preston Middle School - Josh Greiner - jgreiner@psdschools.org
Webber Middle School - Jana Webster-Wheeler - jwebster@psdschools.org
Wellington Middle/High School - Bill Cleary - wcleary@psdschools.org

Para obtener instrucciones para traducir al espanol: https://techportal.psdschools.org/translation-help-ayuda-de-traduccion-espanol

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