Gifts For band students

THINKING OF BUYING AN INSTRUMENT FOR YOUR STUDENT? CHECK WITH A BAND DIRECTOR FIRST!

If you are looking to purchase from an online vendor (eBay, Amazon, marketplace), please be sure you are making a quality investment before you purchase. 

With band instruments, the general rule is buy nice or buy twice. An inexpensive instrument might seem like a great buy at the time of purchase, but they can break quickly and repair shops cannot get replacement parts for “off-brand” instruments. Your student will have the most success on a quality instrument that plays well and is easily repaired. 

** CLICK HERE - This sheet was compiled by band directors nationwide and has all the good brands to look out for! **

• Metronome/Tuner (There are also good apps for these on phones! I recommend "Tonal Energy Tuner")

• Mouthpiece Sanitizer Spray

• Folding Music Stand w/ Bag

One of the best gifts you can give your student is private music lessons! There are many great benefits to working one-on-one with a private teacher, even just for a few lessons. Reach out to Mr. Hunter (ahunter@district100.com) or Ms. Roechner (eroechner@district100.com) if you would like help finding a private lesson teacher.

• Flute:

  • Flute Cleaning Swab and Cleaning Rod

• Oboe:

  • Oboe Cleaning Swab

  • Oboe Reed Water Canister

  • Lesher Oboe Reed

• • Clarinet Cleaning Swab

  • Cork Grease

  • Juno Reeds - cheaper, better for 1st/2nd year

    • 2.5 Strength (6th)

    • 3 Strength (7/8th)

  • Vandoren Reeds - higher quality, lasts longer, plays easier, but more expensive 

    • 2.5 Strength (6th)

    • 3 Strength (7/8th)

• • Saxophone Cleaning Swab

  • Cork Grease

  • Juno Reeds (cheaper, better for 1st/2nd year): 

    • 2.5 Strength (6th)

    • 3 Strength (7/8th)

  • Vandoren Reeds (higher quality, lasts longer, plays easier, but more expensive) 

    • 2.5 Strength (6th)

    • 3 Strength (7/8th)

  • Mouthpieces: 

    • Good for Middle School:

      • Alto - Yamaha YAC AS 4C

    • Good for High School:

      • Alto - Vandoren Optimum AL3

      • Tenor - Vandoren Optimum TL3

      • Bari - Vandoren Optimum BL3

• Superslick Instrument Valve Oil

  • If you want some nicer valve oil, I recommend Hetman or J. Meinlschmidt #3 Synethic Piston Valve Oil - a few more dollars but well worth it

• Practice Mute

  • Can be found anywhere online.

  • For Trumpet/Trombone/Baritone, I recommend CookieMute as a budget-friendly option that doesn't cause too much backpressure/trouble playing

• Trumpet Mouthpieces:

  • Bach 7C (Good for beginners)

  • Bach 5C (Good for 2nd/3rd Year & beyond)

  • Bach 3C (Good for High School & beyond)