Sample these recordings of the instruments found in our bands!

Woodwinds: 

Flute, Clarinet, and Saxophone are common band instruments in the woodwind family. 

Flute 

Flute is a woodwind instrument that is played by blowing air across a hole in the headjoint of the instrument. Doing this feels similar to blowing across the top of a glass bottle. Even though flute is a small instrument, it requires a lot of air to play!

Clarinet 

Bb Clarinet and Bass Clarinet are commonly found in bands. The Bb (pronounced B flat) clarinet is the smaller, higher-pitched clarinet. The Bass Clarinet is the larger, longer, and lower-pitched clarinet. 

Saxophone: 

Alto, Tenor, and Bari saxophones are commonly found in bands. Alto sax is the most common saxophone for students to begin learning on. Eventually, they can transition to the larger saxophones, which are the tenor saxophone and the baritone saxophone (the biggest and lowest-pitched sax). Each kind of saxophone plays a distinct roles in the ensemble. Many saxophonists also learn how to play jazz!

BRASS:

Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone, and Tuba are common brass instruments. 

Trumpet 

Trumpet is the highest of the brass instruments. Students will often start on the cornet and then transition to playing the trumpet once they can produce a nice tone and comfortable "buzz". Many trumpet players also play jazz!

French Horn 

Trombone 

Trombone is played with a long slide that moves in 7 different positions to create the pitches. Many trombone players also play jazz!

Euphonium

Sometimes, the Euphonium is also referred to as the Baritone. These are essentially the same instrument, so their names are used interchangeably. This instrument is essentially a smaller version of the Tuba, which means that it plays a lot of low notes and provides a strong foundation for the band. 

Tuba

Often times, students will start out learning the Euphonium/Baritone, and then transition to playing the Tuba once they are older, grown, and used to filling up such a large instrument with a lot of air! The Tuba is the backbone of a band and provides one of the most important parts to any piece of music - the bass line!

Percussion:

This section of the band includes the most variety of instruments. Some unpitched instruments include snare drum, bass drum, triangle, tambourine, cymbals, and more. Pitched instruments include mallet instruments like xylophone and marimba, or instruments like the timpani and chimes.