Materials

📗 BOOKS: AACPS IS supplying books for all students.

• Replacement books will be the responsibility of the family if a child loses their book.

• Strings book title: String Basics, book 1 for the student's respective instrument

• Band Book title: Habtits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician for the student's respective instrument

What do I need for BAND/ STRINGS?

(What everyone should bring to each class)

Instrument –Please put the student’s name on the outside and inside of the instrument case. Instruments will get mixed up when we return to building-based instruction.

Book – Provided by AACPS. Replacements for lost books are the responsibility of the family.

Pencil – A necessity for all lessons. The best thing to do is to put one in your instrument case. Only use it while practicing or during lessons.

Music Stand – OPTIONAL. These are very helpful for students. Most music stores sell a wire-frame collapsible music stand. They are inexpensive and can be stored easily for more space. Students DO NOT need to bring the stand to school. It is for home practice only.

HEADPHONES/ EARBUDS- In the event that we need to move to virtual instruction, these will make it MUCH easier for students to play along when at home. These will only be needed at home and can remain there.

Violin & Viola will need rosin AND a shoulder rest. Rosin is essential to make a sound on a string instrument. Please do not apply this to the bow until we have had a chance to go over the proper use in class. Shoulder rests make holding and playing the instrument much easier. Most stores have inexpensive foam shoulder rests that can be attached to the instrument with rubber bands. These are the best option for beginning students. If they decide to continue on the instrument, a collapsible shoulder rest may be a good investment.

Cello & Bass will need rosin AND a rock stop. Rosin is essential to make a sound on a string instrument. Please do not apply this to the bow until we have had a chance to go over the proper use in class. Rock stops hold the instrument in place on the floor so it does not slide away from the player.

Flute students should have a cleaning rod and cloth in their case. Many times it comes with the instrument. 

Clarinet students should have a tube of cork grease that occasionally comes with the instrument as well as an instrument swab (cloth on a string).

Clarinets & Saxophone - Beginners need 4-5 reeds #11/2. Continuing students should have 4-5 reeds #2 or 2 ½.

Trumpet, French Horn, & Baritone students should have a bottle of valve oil.

Trombone students should have a container of slide oil or slide cream.

Percussion Since the students will be learning to play drums and mallet percussion, it is best to purchase/rent a bell kit. Many of these kits come with a practice pad, bell set, sticks, mallets, and stands all in one.

When do we begin?  Lessons with instruments will begin the week of September 14, 2026