You can find important information about our band program here. 

Required Materials and Accessories

All STUDENTS NEED:

• • • A Pencil, colored pencils, or highlighters.

    • 1/2 or 1-inch white or black binder for your sheet music with your name on it.

    • A name tag attached to your case. Luggage or key chain tags can work for this. Tags can also be purchased at the ASB window.

    • A music stand for home practice.

Flutes: 

• • • cleaning/tuning rod and cleaning cloth (some stores call them called cleaning swabs)  You could also get a pad saver

    • Polishing cloth

Clarinets: 

• • • cleaning swab, cork grease, mouthpiece brush.

    • Reeds - Mitchell Lurie, D'Addario Organic Reserve, Rico Royal, or Vandoren Brands. Size 2.5, 3, or 3.5. 

      •  Students should have at least 5 or more good reeds at all times. Please get the recommended reed brands and sizes. They are quality reeds, and are the appropriate size/strength for developing musicians. Poor quality reeds and incorrect reed size will limit the playability of the instrument.

    • Optional" Thumb rest cushion for right hang thumb comfort.

Bass Clarinet: 

• • • cleaning swab, cork grease, mouthpiece brush.

    • Bass Clarinet Reeds - Mitchell Lurie, D'Addario Organic Reserve, Rico Royal, or Vandoren Brands. Size 2.5, 3 or 3.5.

      •  Students should have at least 5 or more good reeds at all times. Please get the recommended reed brands and sizes. They are quality reeds, and are the appropriate size/strength for developing musicians. Poor quality reeds and incorrect reed size will limit the playability of the instrument.

Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, or Baritone): 

• • • Neck strap, cleaning swab, mouthpiece brush.

    • Reeds - Mitchell Lurie, D'Addario Organic Reserve, Rico Royal, or Vandoren Brands. Size 2.5, 3 or 3.5. 

      •  Students should have at least 5 or more good reeds at all times. Please get the recommended reed brands and sizes. They are quality reeds, and are the appropriate size/strength for developing musicians. Poor quality reeds and incorrect reed size will limit the playability of the instrument.

    • polishing cloth

Trumpet and Euphonium (baritone), and Tuba: 

• • • Valve oil, tuning slide grease.

    • Cleaning snake, polishing cloth, mouthpiece brush

Trombone

• • • Slide cream, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush, spray bottle - 2 fl oz or smaller. 

    • Cleaning snake, polishing cloth

Percussion

• • • Practice/Drum Pad. There are several sizes. Any size from 8-inch to 12-inch should work. I recommend Yamaha, Evans, or Remo brands. They should be turnstyle drum pads that can screw into a stand.  Click on the link for an example - https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SPP-35--yamaha-total-percussion-8-inch-tunable-practice-pad

    • Drum Sticks. I recommend Vic Firth 5A or an equivalent. The weight of this stick is ideal for beginners.  

    • Bell Mallets: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CBE-18--cb-percussion-cbe-18-educational-bell-mallets

Other Important Information:

Instrument Storage

• • During the school day, we have instrument storage with assigned locker spaces in the band room. Students can enter through the outside door to drop off and pick up instruments before and after school. Lockers are for instrument and music storage only.

  • Instruments should go home every day for practice.  

  • Unless teacher permission is given, cellphones, earbuds, and other electronic devices are not permitted.

  • Gum is not allowed

  • Food and drinks, except for water, is not allowed. 

About the Class

Google Classroom will be used to deliver materials and assignments.

We will use Make Music for at-home recorded playing assessments. This will happen roughly weekly or bi-weekly. Some recording assignments will be submitted through Google Classroom or Screencastify.

Late work is accepted for each grading period only. Grading periods are about 6-8 weeks. There will be point deductions if students are continually (3 or more within a grading period) submitting work late.

Students are also given a participation grade. Points will be deducted if instruments and required materials are not brought to class.

Extra credit will be given for attending concerts and events, and for participating in Jazz Band or Drumline. 

Classroom Procedures and Expectations

To maximize our rehearsal time, and for the safety of the instruments and students should know how to

• Properly set up the rows and stands

• Properly stack the stands and chairs

• Place their case on the left side of their chair with the latches up.

• Leave the room with no trash on the floor, no personal items left; and instruments, music, and all equipment properly stored away.

  • This includes percussion mallets and auxiliary instruments (tambourine, triange, etc.); and instrument stands