Future B@TB Member!

A common question we get is: "When and how do we get our instruments?" 

- If you're joining the Summer Band Academy, get your instrument by the end of June.

- If you're not attending the academy, aim to have your instrument by the end of July.

We won't use instruments during the first week of school, but July and August can be busy times for rental shops as many students in Loudoun, Virginia, and across the country start band and school. 

Here's where and what you need to get:

First, you should have received a letter from your music teacher telling you what instrument you will be playing next year. Use that to decide what instrument you are going to rent and what materials you will need. If you did not receive that letter, please reach out to the band directors to find out what you are going to play next year!

Method Books are now provided by the County! So we will have that for your student on the first day of School.

Method Books are now provided by the County! So we will have that for your student on the first day of School (or Summer Band Academy!)

All students: All-Black 1 inch Binder & Pencils. 

Concert Attire: All Black pants, shoes & socks. (Flats okay, no high heels). RBM Provided Music T-shirt.

Below are other accessories specific to instrument:

• Flute: Cleaning rod, cleaning swab( <--- Should come with a new flute) finger rest*

• Clarinet/Alto Sax: Box of Reeds strength 2.5 (Vandoren or Juno Brand), reed case*, cleaning swab, cork grease, mouthpiece pad*

• Oboe/Bassoon: 2-3 reeds, cleaning swab, cork grease, reed case, soaking cup for reed (Think: old medicine bottle)

• Trumpet/Baritone/Tuba: Synthetic light valve oil, slide grease

• French Horn:, Rotor Oil, slide grease

• Trombone: Slide grease, mini-spray bottle

• Percussion: Percussion bell kit/learning kit (includes practice pad, bell set, snare drum sticks, and mallets) Stick Bag*

*denotes optional materials that are highly recommended

Once the school year begins, we will let you know when the band concerts and rehearsals are! Until then, if you have any other questions, please feel free to email Mr. Durgin (samuel.durgin@lcps.org) or Ms. McHugh (maura.mchugh@lcps.org) 

See you soon!

The Band Directors

Note: Please use the above vendors for your instrument purchasing needs. Though websites like Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, or Ebay may be tempting... the instruments you get from these places are typically poor quality and break within the first month of school. 

We recommend NOT BUYING from the following brands:

• • Flutes: Glory, Mendini/Cecilio, Etude, Lazzaro, Jean Paul

  • Oboes: Glory, Mendini/Cecilio, Etude, Yinfente, Amoon, Selmer

  • Bassoons: 

  • Clarinets: Glory, Mendini/Cecilio, Lazzaro, Etude, Kaizer

  • Saxophones: Glory, Mendini/Cecilio, Etude, Eastar, Antigua, Nuvo

  • Trumpets: Glory, Mendini/Cecilio, Etude, Taylor, Harrelson, Lätzsch

  • French Horns: Glory, Mendini/Cecilio, Etude, Antigua

  • Trombones: Glory, Mendini/Cecilio, Etude, Bundy

  • Baritones/Tubas: Glory, Mendini/Cecilio, Etude, Antigua

  • Anything from Amazon, Costco, Walmart, etc…