Thompson Brook School Band

Welcome to the Thompson Brook School Band website!

I will try to update the site as often as possible and I hope that it will become a good source for help, information and inspiration for both students and parents.  

Email: dvolpe@avon.k12.ct.us

Here are two great videos to check out if you are still wondering if learning to play an instrument is right for you!

https://edpuzzle.com/media/612f97a2db97e3416c7faf19

https://edpuzzle.com/media/5e7bae280447e33f19260e69

New Band Parent Meeting: Aug. 27, 2025 6:30 PM

You will find links to registration forms at the bottom of this page after the New Band Parent Meeting.  Please submit the online registration form by: 11 AM, Friday, September 5, 2025.

Beginner Band Information

Music is a universal language and a wonderful form of creative expression.  People who learn to play a musical instrument at a young age learn valuable lessons on teamwork, self-discipline, self-confidence, reasoning, etc. These lessons can have a profound effect on other facets of a person’s life.  Most importantly, the study of music allows one to learn more about our world, it’s many cultures and traditions.

Students who choose to study an instrument will be given free weekly lessons during school hours; however, they must acquire their own instruments, accessories and lesson books.  Special arrangements can be made for students with financial need.

A note to both parents and students:  Making music is a fun and rewarding experience, but it does require work and a commitment from the musician.  Keep in mind that learning to play an instrument well takes time and patience.

Students who would like to enroll in band class may learn to play any of the following instruments:

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet

Alto Saxophone

Trumpet or Cornet

French Horn

Trombone

Baritone Horn

Percussion*

*Beginners who wish to study percussion must be aware that the first year of study, regardless of grade (5th or 6th) or prior experience, will focus solely on keyboard percussion, “mallets” - (bells, xylophone etc.)  

Lessons Begin The Week of September 8, 2025

What your child will need before the first lesson:

Please read the following information carefully.   

Acquiring a musical instrument, whether by rental agreement or purchase, is a very important decision and should be carefully considered by both parents/guardians and the student.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide an instrument, its accessories, a music stand for home and the required study materials for his/her child.  

The following is a list of items that must be acquired for each instrument:

Students studying flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet/cornet, French horn, trombone, and baritone horn must purchase Accent on Achievement Book I by John O’Reilly and Mark Williams for their respective instrument.

Students studying percussion can purchase Accent on Achievement Book I for Combined Percussion or Mallets by John O’Reilly and Mark Williams.

Flute: a thin handkerchief for the cleaning/tuning rod or a weighted cloth swab.

Oboe:  2 medium soft reeds, cork grease, oboe cleaning swab(s) and an oboe reed reed-guard.

Clarinet (B-flat):  4 #2 reeds, reed-guard, cork grease, and a cloth or silk cleaning swab.*

Saxophone (E-flat alto): 4 #2 reeds, reed-guard, cork grease and a cloth or silk cleaning swab.*

Trumpet, French horn, Trombone, Baritone horn (bass clef - BC): tuning slide grease and valve oil  

Percussion (Mallets) **: a practice pad & orchestra bells Percussion Kit.  (This kit should also include: an instrument stand, a pair of general purpose drumsticks and a pair of bell mallets.)

It is recommended that you DO NOT purchase an instrument from a non-music store or over the internet. Some reputable and reliable brands include: Yamaha, Selmer, Leblanc, Gemeinhardt, and Vic Firth

Students should use a music stand for home practice.

Below are some suggested dealers where instruments and accessories may be rented and/or purchased.  Please consult with dealers for specific terms and conditions.

Music & Arts      Martocchio Music     Musical Expressions    The Music Shop     Falcetti Music 

Avon, CT             Simsbury, CT              Berlin, CT                        Torrington, CT         Simsbury, CT      

860 676-0048      860 651-6683             860 828-4886                  860 482-9047         860 932-2424

As with any new endeavor, there are moments of frustration and moments of triumph.  Because the lesson period is brief (just 25 minutes), your young musician will need your support and guidance in establishing the good study habits which will lead to success.  Beginning students and their parents should plan on scheduling at least 15 to 20 minutes, 5-7 days per week, for home practice.  Practicing is your child’s “band” homework. 

All students are expected to make every effort to complete assignments and to attend lessons on time, with instrument, pencil and lesson book in hand.  

Please do not attempt to assemble the instrument prior to the first school lesson!

Band Basics:​

Instruments commonly used in the band (concert/symphonic/military) and wind ensemble:

Woodwinds

Flute (also – piccolo)

Oboe (also - English horn,)

Clarinet (E-flat, B-flat, alto, bass, and contrabass)

Saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone)

Bassoon (also - contra-bassoon)

Brass

Bb Trumpet (also – cornet and flugelhorn)

French horn

Trombone (tenor, bass and valve) 

Baritone Horn [aka. - Euphonium]

Tuba/Sousaphone

Percussion

Snare Drum     Bells     Latin Percussion

Cymbals                       Xylophone World Percussion

Bass Drum     Chimes                   Tambourine

Timpani     Vibraphone           Wood Block

Triangle     Marimba                Gong 

(Non-standard band instruments that are commonly used in an advanced ensemble are: harp, string bass, and various keyboard instruments.  These instruments are not part of TBS Band.)

A Balanced Band:  

It is essential for a quality musical learning/performing experience that an ensemble be balanced.  (Too much of one thing is not a good thing.)  Here is a balanced “school” ensemble of roughly 100 players.

10 Flutes (including 1 piccolo)

3 Oboes

24-30 Clarinets (of various sizes)

8 Saxophones (of various sizes)

3 Bassoons

10 Trumpets/Cornets 

8 French horns

6 Trombones 

4 Baritone Horns

6 Tubas

8 Percussionists

For consideration:

Percussionists:  Playing the drum set in a concert band is rare, but being able to handle and organize multiple parts such as triangle, wood block and concert toms for a piece of music occurs all of the time.  First year percussion students will spend the year learning to play keyboard percussion i.e. bells and xylophone.  These instruments are often referred to in musician slang as “mallets.”  The second year of percussion study will incorporate snare drum technique and the rudiments.  (Second year players will maintain and continue to expand their mallet technique from year-one as well.)  

Saxophonists: is a great instrument to start on if your child wishes to someday play the saxophone or the bassoon.  (For jazz and pit orchestra musicians, having the clarinet double is an advantage!)  More importantly - if your child is of small stature or has small hands, please consider having him/her begin on the clarinet.  (There should be a minimum of 5 inches from the bottom of the palm to the tip of the middle finger for optimal playing comfort on the alto saxophone.)  

Some Instrument Specifics:

Woodwinds

Reeds: All clarinet and saxophone players will begin on #2 strength reeds.  Oboe players should begin on medium soft reeds.  The reed strength will increase as the player’s embouchure strengthens and develops.  A reed guard is an inexpensive item that can be used to protect reeds from chipping and warping when not in use.  It is important that reeds get rotated.  Playing on the same reed all of the time will wear the reed out faster.  A reed does not have to be cracked or chipped to not play well.  It can simply be worn out and stop vibrating or responding at maximum potential.  Ideally, players should always have 4 good reeds on hand at all times.

*Swabs:  All woodwind instruments should be swabbed of internal moisture immediately after playing. The often heard excuse, “I swab it out at home” – (after the moist instrument has sat in a case all day) is not acceptable.  In time, consistent moisture left in the instrument will make the case and the instrument smell bad, and will aid in the corrosion of pads and the growth of mold.  Oboes, clarinets and saxophones should use a cloth or silk swab.  “Pad-savers” are good, but only when used in conjunction with swabbing.  If used alone, they just trap the moisture in the instrument.  Flutes can use a weighted cloth swab or a thin handkerchief with the cleaning rod that accompanies the instrument.

Cork grease:   This is needed to lubricate the connective corks on oboes, clarinets, bassoons and saxophones.  It should be applied frequently to new corks and as needed later on.

Brass

Valve oil:   This is the essential lubricant for keeping brass instruments operating correctly and efficiently.  (Beginner trombone players should use valve oil to lubricate the trombone’s playing slide.  More experienced players may choose to use other lubricants/creams for the playing slide.)

Tuning slide grease (alt.: petroleum jelly or gun grease): This is needed to keep all of the tuning slides operating properly. These slides are just as important as the valves and it is essential that they be maintained.  Old grease should be thoroughly cleaned off before new grease is applied.

TBS has several French horns, trombones and baritone horns available to beginner students, free of charge.  Please contact Mr. Volpe for more information.

Percussion

Sticks and mallets:  5A or “general use” drum sticks are recommended for beginner hands.  In time, percussionists will use a variety of sticks for different applications.  As for keyboard mallets, I recommend that students use medium-soft rubber mallets during practice sessions and harder plastic mallets for ensemble playing.  Players who choose to purchase only one set of mallets, purchase the hard mallets and wear ear protection while practicing.

All students will use the Accent on Achievement lesson book series.  

**Percussion students can purchase either Accent on Achievement for Combined Percussion or Mallets only.  (Breeze Easy - Snare Drum I will be used in the second year of study along with Accent on Achievement for Combined Percussion II.)

Scheduling:

All lessons are pull-out lessons.  Students will be assigned to a lesson group/day.  Each lesson group will consist of 2-8 students and will meet once a week for a 25 minute lesson on a rotating basis.  The entire ensemble will meet once per week at a set rehearsal time for 50 minutes.  The ensemble rehearsal will not conflict with any other subjects.

Home Practice:

It is best for the student that he/she practices a little bit every day.  10-20 minutes per day is fine for this age group.  Cramming the night before a lesson really doesn’t help.  Practice does not make perfect, it makes habit.  Students will be asked to fill in a practice log each day with their practice minutes.  This log must be signed each week by a parent or guardian.  The log will help the student to develop a practice routine and to track his/her progress each week.  (Natural ability is nice, but eventually it will run out.)  Having students practice every day will instill the habits that will eventually build technique (chops), train the ear and develop musicianship.  Practice time should not just be time spent playing what one already knows well, but time spent learning new concepts, strengthening technique and building new skills.  Practice should be purposeful and goal-driven.

Motivation and Learning Curves:

There is no such thing as an easy instrument.  There are no Girl or Boy instruments.  Your child should choose an instrument based on its sound.  (He/she will have to like hearing and playing it on the good days and the bad days.)  All instruments have different quirks and idiosyncrasies that allow for different learning curves and every learner is different.  It is essential that we encourage the children to be patient and persistent, and that we continue to motivate them with examples of quality music.  (Few people know the beautiful sound and potential of a euphonium - let alone know what one is, until they hear it played by a master musician.)  Time, discipline and an open mind can lead one to a lifetime of music appreciation and music making.  

Registration Links:  Please contact the band director with any questions. dvolpe@avon.k12.ct.us

5th Grade Registration:

6th Grade Registration (for new 6th graders only):