Flute

The flute is the highest-sounding instrument in the woodwind family and is known for its bright, clear, and elegant tone. Unlike most woodwinds, the flute does not use a reed; instead, players produce sound by blowing across the tone hole, much like blowing across the top of a bottle.

Flutes often carry beautiful melodies and sparkling passages that add brilliance and color to the band’s sound. Because of its agility, the flute can perform fast technical runs as well as smooth, lyrical lines. The instrument blends well with other woodwinds while also having the ability to soar above the ensemble when needed.

Students who play the flute are detailed, neat, precise, and persistent!

Clarinet

The clarinet is one of the most versatile instruments in the band and plays an important role in almost every piece of music. It uses a single reed and produces a warm, flexible tone that can blend beautifully with other instruments or stand out with expressive solos. 

Clarinets often carry important melodies, technical passages, and rich harmonic parts throughout the band. Because of its wide range and agility, the clarinet is capable of both smooth lyrical playing and fast, intricate runs. The clarinet section is one of the largest in the band.

Students who play the clarinet are determined, detail-oriented, hard-working, and love a challenge!

Oboe

The oboe is a member of the woodwind family and is known for its clear, focused, and expressive tone. It is a double reed instrument, meaning it produces sound using two small reeds vibrating against each other. Because of its distinctive sound, the oboe is easily recognizable and often carries important melodic lines in band and orchestral music.

The oboe has a warm and lyrical voice that can be both delicate and powerful. It frequently plays expressive solos and is valued for its ability to add color and character to the ensemble. In orchestras, the oboe is also traditionally responsible for playing the tuning note that the entire ensemble tunes to.

Because it is a more specialized instrument, fewer students typically play the oboe, making skilled oboists very valuable in school ensembles. Universities and colleges seek out oboists who often receive substantial scholarships. 

Students who play the oboe are independent, dependable, serious, perfectionistic, and COMMITTED. 

Bassoon

The bassoon, like the oboe, is a double reed instrument and only a few select students will be chosen for the bassoon.  It is the lowest sounding member of the woodwind family with it's dignified and majestic sound.  The bassoon is one of the most specialized instruments in the band. Universities and colleges seek out bassoonists who often receive substantial scholarships. 

Students who play the bassoon are intelligent, hard-working, have a unique sense of humor, and are COMMITTED!

Saxophone

The saxophone is a woodwind instrument even thought it is made of brass.  Most people know the saxophone as they have heard it in jazz or rock music.  This instrument is versatile and is also used in the concert band.  Some saxophone players will also have the opportunity to play tenor or baritone saxophones after the beginning year. 

Students who play the saxophone are driven, energetic, social, and competitive!

Trumpet

The trumpet is the highest-sounding instrument in the brass family and is known for its bright, brilliant, and powerful tone. 

Trumpets often play important melodic lines, fanfares, and exciting musical passages that help bring energy and excitement to the band. Their clear and projecting sound allows them to be heard easily throughout the ensemble, making them a key voice in many musical styles.

Because of its versatility, the trumpet is featured in many different types of music, including concert band, marching band, orchestras, jazz ensembles, and popular music. Trumpets are frequently called upon to play both strong, heroic melodies and delicate lyrical lines.

Students who play the trumpet are confident, competitive,  enthusiastic, and like being leaders!

French Horn

The french horn, also a member of the brass family, produces sound by buzzing into a small mouthpiece similar to a trumpet. Students with good musical ears tend to be the most successful on this instrument.

French horns often play an important role in connecting the brass and woodwind sections of the band. Their sound blends exceptionally well with other instruments, allowing them to support the harmony of the ensemble while also carrying lyrical melodies and expressive solos. It has the widest range of any brass instrument. 

Students who play the french horn are studious, inquisitive, fearless, determined, and are often perfectionists.

Trombone

The trombone, easily recognized by its long slide, is one of the most powerful instruments in the band.  The slide is not marked with positions so having a good ear is a must. 

Trombones often play an important role in the band by supporting the harmony and adding depth and strength to the ensemble’s sound. They are capable of both bold, powerful passages and smooth, lyrical melodies, making them a versatile voice in the brass section.  Trombones are used in virtually every type of music, including jazz, blues, rock, and symphony orchestra.

Students who play the trombone are usually, detail-oriented, coordinated, and usually have a big personality. 

Euphonium

The euphonium (you-PHONE-knee-yum), sometimes known as the baritone, is a member of the brass family and looks like a miniature tuba. Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide. Though originally designed as a harmony instrument, the euphonium has grown to become one of the most popular band instruments for solo playing in the most recent years due to its rich sound.

Students who play the euphonium are great team members, musical, and easy-going.

Tuba

The tuba is the most important instrument in the band.  It is the largest and lowest of the wind instruments. Despite its large size, even the smallest students can handle the tuba with proper instruction. Although the tuba often supports the ensemble from the lower register, it is also capable of playing lyrical melodies and expressive musical lines. Tuba players must have strong listening skills and a steady sense of rhythm to help maintain the foundation of the group.

Tuba players do not have to carry their instruments home every night. Instead, they will be issued an instrument to take home and leave home for practice.

Students who play the tuba are laid-back, reliable, consistent, like to help others, and usually have a great sense of humor!

Percussion

Often referred to as “drums”, this name is actually a very incomplete description of what is involved in playing percussion. Percussionists learn to play a number of instruments, including mallet instruments like bells and xylophone, battery percussion like the snare and bass drums, and accessory percussion instruments like the tambourine and triangle.  Enrollment for this course is limited and students wishing to play percussion will need to score in the top of the evaluation before being placed on this instrument.

Students who play percussion are reliable, committed, hard-working, high energy, and hard-working!