Band Sign-Up for 2025
Should I RENT or BUY a musical instrument for my child?
Once your child has selected an instrument, you may be wondering whether you should purchase a new or used instrument outright, consider a time-payment plan or use a family instrument. I hope the following information will help you reach the decision that is best for your family.
The brand of the instrument is extremely important. Quality instruments will stay in adjustment over a long period (avoiding costly repairs), are built to play in-tune with a quality sound and will play easily for your child - allowing for maximum success and enjoyment! The instruments and mouthpieces listed below have met this set of criteria. This list is a good basis to start a search if you are a “shopper” and want to look around for a deal. The three music stores will be offering this exact “menu” at the Band Open House (or online, see their website links below).
FLUTE:
• Yamaha 221S or YFL-200AD best for beginners. Any model of Yamaha flute in good repair is great!
• Jupiter CF-50
• Armstrong
CLARINET:
• Vito V7214WC (or used 7214) with wood shell case
• Yamaha YCL200AD Advantage
• Jupiter CC-60 and 635N
ALTO SAXOPHONE:
• Vito model #V7141 • Yamaha YAS-23, YAS-26, YAS-200AD or YAS-200ADII
• Jupiter 769GN or CAS-70 with Yamaha 4C mouthpiece
TRUMPET:
• Yamaha YTR-2330, YTR-200ADII
• Bach TR-300H, TR-300H2
• Bach TR300 (used only, not available new)
• Jupiter CTR-60 or 606 RL
• Accent TR512L
TROMBONE:
• Yamaha YSL-354 or YSL- 200 AD
• Bach TB-301, Bach TB-300 (used)
• Getzen 451 with standard water key and ProTec Zippered case
**Be sure it has a size 7C Bach Mouthpiece.
PERCUSSION: (need BOTH snare and mallet instrument)
(Snare)
***VIC FIRTH SD1 sticks
● Ludwig LE 2472 or LE 2477R, Pearl SK-800 or SK-900
● Ludwig Tuneable Drum Head L379 and stand LE1353 or Remo drum pad RT-0008-00 with stand ST-1000-10
● Mapex MK12DL Lite Backpack Snare Drum Kit
(Mallet Instrument)
***Majestic, Balter #6 or Yamaha #6 mallets
● Majestic X5535DR
● Musser Xylophone M47
● Ross Xylophone R319
● Musser LM Xylophone
● Ludwig 2.5 Octave Xylophone Kit Model: LUD-LMXYLO2
Music Stores
The Music Store Trial-Purchase fee includes the trial-purchase of an instrument for four months. At the close of the trial-purchase period, parents may choose to purchase the above listed instruments on a payment plan, or return them to the music store with no further obligation. Trial-purchase fees for the summer program will be consistent between the music stores and the fees will apply toward the purchase price of the instrument. The four-month trial-purchase period begins when the student receives their instrument at their first summer lesson. Be aware that purchase plans after the trial-purchase period vary among the stores. You are encouraged to discuss purchase plans at the Band Open House or to contact each store to inquire about their payment plans. For more information from the music stores, please contact the following music stores and/or visit their website listed below.
Music Store Trial/Purchase Fee (fee covers first four month “trial period”):
•$50 for Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone
•$80 for Oboe, Alto Saxophone, and Percussion (Snare Drum/Pad and Xylophone).
For your convenience, you can make arrangements to rent or purchase the above instruments online from Eckroth, Groth, or Schmitt Music. These 3 music stores come out to our schools weekly in case students need instrument repairs and are also very safe in the event that you need to make an instrument change in the first few months. (It's best to stay with the same instrument throughout. However, a handful of students/families realize after the fact that they need a different instrument choice. These 3 music stores are very helpful and safe to make these this adjustments with during the first few months you are making payments to the rent-to-own contract.
All instruments rented from one of these 3 music stores come with all required "instrument" supplies/accessories needed to make the instrument play, and the instruments will be delivered to the school in time for the first summer lesson. (You will just still need to purchase the lesson book, Traditions of Excellence, Book 1 from school or online.)
Groth Music: (952) 884-4772,
Edith Bohardt/Bill Golden,
Website: http://www.grothmusic.com/aerntschoolselect.aspx
Eckroth Music: 1 (800) 543-8255, Michael Mantini,
Website: http://www.eckroth.com/
Schmitt Music, (763) 566-4560,
Leeanne Kardock,
Website: https://www.schmittmusicforbeginners.com/aerntschoolselect.aspx?PlanCode=MN196
Required Supplies:
Tradition of Excellence, Book 1 (Be sure to order for the correct instrument if ordering online. Percussionists also need Musical Magic for Snare Drum by Rita Jarrard.)
Band Instrument (See below)
Highly Recommended Supplies:
Music Stand
Set of Highlighters
The following supplies, which are needed by all students, are included with the trial purchase of an instrument from the music stores listed. If you obtain an instrument from another source, these supplies should be included or they can be purchased from a music store:
Clarinets and Alto Saxophones: 4 - #2 1/2 Mitchell Lurie Premium reeds (Clarinet), 4 - #2 Vandoren reeds (Alto Sax), plastic reed holder to hold 4 reeds, cork grease (tube-type), a mouthpiece patch, and a cleaning swab
Trumpets: Valve oil and tuning slide grease
Trombones: Rapid Comfort slide lubricant and tuning slide grease
Percussion: Vic Firth SD1 drumsticks and Balter #6B or Yamaha #6 xylophone/bell mallets
Privately Owned Instruments Must Be Shop Checked and Mouthpiece Cleaned!
If you are considering the outright purchase of a used instrument (craigslist, ebay, etc.), or if your child will use an instrument, which your family owns, I strongly encourage you to have it checked by a qualified professional instrument repair person before registration. An adult or advanced student may be able to overcome problems in a used instrument, which would prove insurmountable to a beginner. Young students often have less finger strength than older students and, therefore, cannot close the keys on a flute unless it is adjusted for a light touch. Weak springs or worn pads on a flute, clarinet or alto saxophone may not be detectable by the untrained eye. Trumpet valves, which do not move easily, may simply be dirty, or they may need to be repaired. Trombone slides which are worn may need to be re-plated. In some cases, you may find that the cost of the repair is higher than you anticipated.
If you own an intermediate-line or advanced-line instrument which needs extensive repair, consider the purchase of a student-line instrument now. Later, in middle school or high school, you can invest in the repair of the advanced instrument and use the student-line instrument for pep bands and marching band where it will be exposed to the elements and possible collisions.
Local Professional Instrument Repair Shops
All shops listed below call on the school weekly and will pick up and deliver instruments which need repair. (Allow two to three weeks for repair.)
Groth Music: (952) 884-4772, 8056 Nicollet Ave. S., Bloomington (Bill/Edith).
Schmitt Music: (763) 566-4560, 7800 Harmony Drive, Bloomington MN 55439 (Leeanne).
To avoid damage to the instrument as well as the development of bad playing habits, please do not allow your child to play their instrument before their first lesson. Improper assembly can easily damage clarinets and alto saxophones. Trumpet valves and trombone slides are also easily damaged and many bad habits are formed.
A WARNING ABOUT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS FROM DEPARTMENT STORES AND ONLINE DISCOUNT RETAILERS!
Some “off brand” musical instruments (instrument brands not listed above) can be found at local discount stores (and pawn shops and e-bay) and do cost less than those obtained from the district recommended music vendors. Over the last few years, a small number of students have used these “off brand” instruments and the results have been poor and very frustrating for the student and their families. The quality of the parts and workmanship found in these “off brand” instruments are poor and the instruments seem to be in constant need of repair (which can be quite costly!). As a result, most local music store repair shops will refuse to work on them, leaving the student with an unplayable instrument. The money saved on the purchase is then wasted.
Shopping Tips:
1.) Don’t purchase anything “off brand” (instrument brands not listed above).
2.) When purchasing a used instrument (online or from a private seller) get it shop-checked and “play tested” before purchasing. All instrument repair shops (for a small nominal fee) will carefully inspect, play-test and give you their value/price estimate of the used instrument.
** It is like buying a used car in that you would take it to your mechanic first. Different from a car: A used instrument, if cared for properly, should hold its value over time.
Questions?
Please contact your Band Director: Susan Smith
E-Mail: susan.smith@district196.org
Voice-Mail: 651.683.6969 (ext. 85565)
FLUTE
1.) Upper level Yamaha flutes - 600 series and up
2.) Azumi 2 or 3 Series (preferably Series 3)
CLARINET
1.) Buffet R-13 (with Vandoren 5RV Lyre mouthpiece with a Vandoren Optimum or Rovner Dark Ligature)
2.) Buffet E-11 (with Vandoren 5RV Lyre mouthpiece with a Vandoren Optimum or Rovner Dark Ligature)
3.) Leblanc Noblet 45 (with Vandoren 5RV Lyre mouthpiece with a Vandoren Optimum or Rovner Dark Ligature)
ALTO SAXOPHONE
1.) Selmer - Super Action 80, Series III (with Selmer C* mouthpiece and a Rovner Dark Ligature)
2.) Yamaha YAS-62ll (with Selmer C* mouthpiece and a Rovner Dark Ligature)
TENOR SAXOPHONE
1.) Selmer - Super Action 80, Series III (with Selmer C* mouthpiece and a Rovner Dark Ligature)
2.) Yamaha YTS-52 (with Selmer C* mouthpiece and a Rovner Dark Ligature)
TRUMPET
1.) Yamaha YTR-8335 Xeno (with a Bach 3C mouthpiece)
2.) Selmer Bach Stradivarius 180 (with a Bach 3C mouthpiece)
TROMBONE (all with F trigger attachment)
1.) Conn 88H (with a Bach 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece) .547 bore
2.) Selmer Bach 36B (with a Bach 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece) Med-Lg bore .525
3.) Selmer Bach 42B (with a Bach 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece) .547 bore
FRENCH HORN
1.) Conn 8D Double French Horn
2.) Yahama 667
3.) Holten H179 or Merker Matic Dual Bore
EUPHONIUM
Yamaha YEP-321S
TUBA
1.) Miraphone 186-4U Series 4-Valve
2.) King 2341W Series 4-Valve 4/4 BBb
https://www.wwbw.com/King-2341W-Series-4-Valve-4-4-BBb-Tuba-467420.wwbw
3.) Eastman EBB431 4/4 size 4-valve BBb