INSTRUMENTS!

The flute plays the highest notes in the woodwind family & is the only one played by blowing across the tone hole. The earliest flutes were hollow bones used by cavemen.  Today's flute is made of silver alloy. The best flute players have a rather flat upper lip with no "tear drop" in the center. Must be rented or purchased from a music company.

Both the Oboe and Bassoon have two thin flat pieces of wood sewn together (double reed) that goes into the instrument.  The instruments themselves are made of either plastic or wood.  They have a unique sound and are some of the more challenging instruments in the band.  Instruments are provided by the school, but availability is very limited. Must have a good "ear" for music & an outstanding academic record. Piano experience is helpful. Due to the unique nature of these instruments, students playing these instruments are required to take weekly private lessons. It is nearly impossible to be successful on this instrument without private lessons.

The clarinet has a single, flat piece of wood (reed) attached to a hollow mouthpiece. The instrument itself is made of wood. It has a remarkable range from low to high sounds and from loud to soft. Must be rented or purchased from a music company. Good for those students who did well with the recorder in elementary music. Students who are double-jointed are NOT good candidates for the clarinet.

A relatively recent invention (1840) compared to the other instruments, the saxophone combines the single reed of the clarinet and the metal body of the brass instruments. Its mellow sounds blend well with both woodwinds or brasses. The saxophone is an important member of the jazz band. Saxophones must be rented or purchased from a music company. Students who are double jointed are NOT candidates for saxophone.

The trumpet, with its high-pitched brilliant tone, is the leader of the brass family. A trumpet player can produce all the notes of the by pressing the valves and changing the lip vibration speed. The best trumpet players tend to have smaller sized lips but this is not a rule. The trumpet is an important member of the jazz band.  Must be rented or purchased from a music company.

The French Horn is made from 12-16 feet of brass tubing circled around and around. The tone is very mellow. In addition to using the lips and valves to change the pitch, the player places a hand in the bell to sometimes give a muted effect. Instruments are provided by the school, but very limited availability. Must have a good ear for music & an outstanding academic record. Piano experience is helpful. Due to the unique nature of these instruments, students playing this instrument are required to take weekly private lessons. It is nearly impossible to be successful on this instrument without private lessons.

This instrument sounds very brassy like the trumpet, but it makes a lower sound. The player changes tones by sliding one tube in and out of the other, rather than by pressing valves. The trombone is a member of the jazz band.  Must be rented or purchased from a music company.

Like a mini-tuba, the euphonium plays the same notes as the trombone, but has buttons like a trumpet (valves). It has a beautiful and mellow sound. Instruments are provided by the school, but in very limited availability.

The tuba is the largest and the lowest of the band instruments. Its bass voice gives the deep, low tones that are the foundation of the band. When unwound, a tuba is 16 feet long. Instruments are provided by the school, but very limited availability. You do not have to hold it, it sits on the seat of the chair. We have smaller tubas for beginners, as well as some tubas to leave at home for home practice.

The percussion section of the band keeps the beat, builds excitement and adds color to the band. 

A percussionist does not just play drums; he/she plays bells, xylophone, timpani, cymbals, triangle, and many other instruments (all school owned). Piano experience helpful.  A 6th grade Percussion Kit must be rented or purchased from a music company.  It consists of practice pad, stands, books, sticks, and other equipment  . A rental practice marimba is required as well. Enrollment is limited & the students who score in the top 10% at our instrument screenings will determine who gets to be in the percussion class. Due to the unique nature of these instruments, students playing these instruments are REQUIRED to take weekly private lessons. It is nearly impossible to be successful on this instrument without private lessons.