Instrument Rentals
The first two weeks of September, students will not need instruments. The first days students will be unpacking instruments in class will be September 15th and 16th.  If your student has access to their instrument before then, we ask that they refrain from playing it until we have a chance to walk them through the care and handling of the instrument.  If you already have an instrument for your student, please ensure you also have the correct method book for that instrument.

Band method book - Sound Innovations Book 1(blue)
Orchestra method book - Essential Elements Book 1

Sweetwater  is our preferred vendor for band instrument rentals.

We also recommend local music stores such as Flesher Hinton, Music and Arts, Rocky Mountain Instrument Repair, and Golden Music.

Orchestra string rentals can be handled through either Sweetwater (preferred vendor) or local vendors such as Sol Vista Violins or Mi Vida Strings.  
* String bass is only available via local vendors, and not Sweetwater.

Dunstan has very few violin, cellos and basses for rent for $125/yr (must be returned before the summer.) Please contact Mr. Conner if you need to rent an instrument through the school.

Dunstan Middle School has limited quantities of Clarinets, Trumpets, French Horns, Trombones, and Baritones available for rent for $125/yr. If you would like to rent through the school district, please contact Mr. Estell

Instrument Tryout Night and Rental Information

Mr. Estell (Band) and Mr. Conner (Orchestra) will be visiting Elementary Classrooms the week of August 25th to hand out information for the August 28th Instrument Tryout night at Dunstan MS and demonstrate all instruments available. 

On August 28th, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Dunstan gym, students will rotate through all wind, brass, and string instruments. Each instrument station will have an experienced teacher to help students get their first sounds. Students interested in percussion will be evaluated by a percussion instructor. Teachers will also give feedback to Mr. Estell and Mr. Conner, which will help them place students with the instrument that will provide the student the most success. 

At the end of the instrument hands-on night, students will write down the three instruments that they would prefer to learn.  Mr. Estell and Mr. Conner will use teacher/player feedback from the students' hands-on experience to place each student on an instrument.  Students will be assigned one of their top three choices based on a student's natural aptitude for the instrument and the program's needs. Mr. Estell and Mr. Conner will celebrate those instrument placements the first week of September. Parents are expected to secure instruments asap after those placements.

Your Essential Videos for band class - LINK

Daily, students will need their instrument, instrument accessories, pencil, 3-ring binder, and Sound Innovations (blue) Book

5th Grade Band Schedule

Classes begin the week of September 1st
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Devinny Elementary - Tuesday & Friday 7:55a-8:35a

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Foothills Elementary - Tuesday 8:50a-9:30a & Friday 9:00a-9:40a

September 5, 2025 - No Band, Flex Testing

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Hutchinson Elementary - Monday & Wednesday 8:50a-9:30a

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Rooney Ranch Elementary - Monday & Wednesday 7:55a-8:35a

Concert Dates updated 8/13/2025
*Concerts are graded. If you have a conflict, please communicate those to Mr. Estell at least 2 weeks prior.
*Concert Dress required - Jeans, tennis shoes and all black or mostly black t-shirt/polo shirt, blouse etc.

October 21, 2025 - 5th grade combined band & orchestra concert, Dunstan gym 6:00 pm

December 17, 2025 - Elementary, Middle School, High School Bands, GMHS gym 6:30 pm

March 3, 2026 - 5th grade combined band & orchestra concert, Dunstan gym 6:00 pm

May 19, 2026 - 5th grade combined band & orchestra concert, Dunstan gym 6:00 pm