Orchestra Class Supplies
Instrument: A quality instrument is needed in order to be successful in orchestra. APS can provide you with a school instrument or you can rent an instrument. Many rental companies have rent-to-own policies that allow you to apply rental credit toward the purchase of an instrument later. PLEASE contact me before you purchase an instrument for your child! There is nothing more frustrating for a child than to play an instrument that is poor quality. I can give you recommendations based on your budget for where you can purchase a quality instrument online.
Only students in ADVANCED ORCHESTRA need to have an instrument for the start of school. Please contact me if you have any questions about your instrument.
Accessories Please make sure your student’s instrument has the following accessories in good working condition. All students who use a school instrument are responsible for providing their own shoulder rest, rock stop and rosin, but those supplies can be provided from the school if needed. All other accessories must be purchased by the student. (see below for details). They can be ordered through most music stores or online. It is necessary for the maintenance of the instrument and comfort of your student’s playing that they also have the following items:
Class Book: Beginning students ONLY will need to purchase our instruction book. We will be using the book Sound Innovations Book One. Retail price is $8.99. Do not purchase until your child has decided on the instrument they want to play. Make sure you get the correct book for your instrument. Robertson’s Violin Shop (address below) will have our class book available to buy in their store. We will have school books available if a student needs one. Advanced Orchestra does not use a class book.
All Orchestra students:
A music stand for practice at home. (retail around $15.00)
Rosin for the bow ($3-$5)
Cleaning Cloth (microfiber, shammy cloth or dry, clean washcloth to wipe rosin off strings and instrument)
A mute for your instrument ($2-$7). I recommend the tourte brand. You can purchase them at Amazon or Robertson’s. Please purchase more than one-they are easy to lose!
A metronome/tuner to keep at home. My favorite model is the Korg TM-50, which retails for about $25. There are many great FREE apps you can use as well. Some I like: SoundCorset, Musicians’ Kit, Practice+, Tonal Energy (costs $3.99 but worth it!)
For violin/viola students: a shoulder rest (Kun, Sumi, Fom brand). A shoulder rest is required for comfortable playing of your child's instrument. Shoulder rests are sized to your child's instrument, so please contact me to find out what size you should order. These items will need to be added on to rentals or purchased separately. You may also order a shoulder rest online. They retail for around $20.00. I recommend buying one with “collapsible feet” as they fit into cases easier.
For cello/bass students: A rock stop or endpin strap, which prevents the endpin of the instrument from sliding around on the floor. You can purchase this from a rental company or online. I recommend the SlipStop brand. They typically cost around $10.00. Your child WILL need one because our classroom floors are tile.
Here are the other classroom items we require:
1" BLACK three ring binder for keeping music and other class items. Please put your child's name, orchestra class and instrument on it. Three ring binders are more sturdy and keep the music in better condition than a binder
Pencils. We never write on our music in pen, but we will always need something to write with!
Lined notebook paper or notebook (10 sheets or so)
Yellow highlighter (for marking music)