BEGINNING BAND OVERVIEW 2026

No Summer Band Program This Year

In a typical school year, we offer a three-week beginning band program during the summer to help incoming 6th grade students get a head start on their instruments. Due to the earlier start of the upcoming school year, we will not be offering the summer band program this year.

Instead, all beginning 6th grade band students will start learning their instruments during the regular school day once the school year begins. 

Instrument Rental Information

If you need access to an instrument, Ward Brodt does the majority of our leasing and they have an excellent plan offering the best repair and maintenance of instruments around.  There are other rental sources in Madison.  Please feel free to check out their plan as well. 

If you have your own instrument for your child to use, please make sure it has been checked and is in good working condition for a beginner. Your Mount Horeb band teachers can help with this!

Supply List

Please make sure your student has all required supplies for their instrument, including reeds (clarinet, oboe, saxophone, bassoon), mouthpiece (horn, baritone, tuba), cleaning supplies, and a method book. These items are required for all beginning band students and should be purchased before the first day of band.

For rental instruments, these accessories can be included with the rental. For students using their own instruments or renting from the school, we strongly recommend purchasing these supplies to ensure proper care and maintenance of the instrument.

Practice Requirements

Practice is key to helping students improve and enjoy band. We recommend shorter, more frequent practice sessions, aiming for about 60 minutes per week on average. Some students practice at school during recess, Viking Hour, or before/after school, while others practice at home.

All instruments should go home for the weekend on Friday and return to school on Monday. Regular practice ensures steady progress and helps students get the most out of their band experience.

Student Commitment and Responsibility

We ask that every student be willing to TRY and to PRACTICE.  These two attributes, combined with good teaching, should do the job!

Parent Responsibility:  Please read and consider carefully!

We ask that families commit to the band program for at least the first semester. This allows every student to experience their first concert and the excitement of performing with the band.

Your support and positive attitude toward your child’s progress play a critical role in their growth and enjoyment of music. We approach instruction as a long-term journey and hope your child will find an exciting and lasting place in the Mount Horeb Music Department throughout their school years.

This year, we will have three required concerts: November 16 at 7:00 PM, March 1 at 7:00 PM, and May 13 at 7:30 PM. Attendance at these concerts is required and counts as part of each student’s quarter grade.

Thank you!

Alyssa Thuli & Kellen Dorner

INSTRUMENT RENTAL

Ward-Brodt Music

Ward Brodt is the company that handles our instrument rentals and repairs. During the school year, they send out a sales representative weekly to help with rentals, repairs, supplies, etc. See below to learn more about instrument rentals and supplies information.

Ward Brodt Instrument Rental Information

2026 Instrument Supply List

Ward Brodt Instrument Supplies  (if you order online, they'll deliver to the MS by the first day of summer lessons)

OWN YOUR OWN or LIKE TO BUY?

If you have your own instrument (or will be using grandpa's!) for your child to use, please make sure it has been checked and serviced so it is in good working condition for a new beginner. Your Mt. Horeb band teachers can help with this - send us an email! Please make sure to order the necessary instrument supplies from the supply list.

If you would like to purchase an instrument, please read our document (below) about buying an instrument! We want to help you make the right choice! No Amazon.com instruments please!

So You'd Like To Purchase An Instrument?

2026 Instrument Supply List - Please make sure to have all of the necessary instrument supplies, too! 

Ward Brodt Instrument Supplies  (if you order online, they'll deliver to the MS by the first day of band)

SCHOOL INSTRUMENT REQUEST

Mount Horeb Area School District wants every student to be able to participate in band. If your student needs to use a school-owned instrument, please complete the information in the registration form.

Reason for Request

• Signed up to play Horn, Baritone, Bassoon, Tuba

• Our family qualifies for free or reduced lunch services through the district.

• Our family does not qualify for free or reduced lunch, but we currently have financial or personal circumstances that make it difficult to obtain an instrument.

All requested school instruments will be ready for students by the first day of school. We will contact you directly in August with the next steps and any additional information.

As always, please send us an email if you have any questions or concerns!

ALREADY OWN AN INSTRUMENT?

Owning an instrument can save you money on monthly rental fees and helps foster a sense of ownership that encourages students to take pride in and properly care for their instrument. If your student already has an instrument they plan to use in 6th grade band, here are a few things to check before the school year begins:

1. Make sure it’s in working condition. There’s nothing more frustrating than an excited beginner trying to make their first sounds on an instrument that isn’t working properly. 

   • Have it checked by a music teacher. We’re happy to take a look! Simply drop the instrument off at the middle school and send us an email. We’ll check it over and let you know what we find. Best case, it’s ready to go. If there are any issues, we may recommend sending it to a repair shop before school starts so your student can begin the year successfully.

2. Purchase the necessary supplies. Be sure to review the supply list and purchase any required materials your student will need for band.

THINKING ABOUT BUYING AN INSTRUMENT?

1. Purchase only a Brand-Name instrument made by a reputable instrument manufacturer. As with any other product on the market, musical instruments are not all created equally. While these instruments look and initially even function normally, they quickly wear out or are easily damaged. For the most part, there are no replacement parts available or the repairs cost more than the value of the instrument. Avoid inexpensive instruments from mass retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc. 

2. Facebook Marketplace and eBay purchases can be good, if you know what to look for. We’re happy to support families who choose to buy this way. If you’re considering an instrument, feel free to send us a link—we’d be glad to take a look and help you decide if it’s a good choice. 

3. Music stores sell instruments; these are in “ready to play” condition. We work closely with Ward-Brodt Music; our school representative is Steve Mellin. You can call Steve Mellin directly at (608) 661-8632 or smellinwb@gmail.com and let him know you are in the market.  

Ward-Brodt Tent Sale

Saturday, July 18th, 2026 from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

5976 Executive Dr Ste A, Fitchburg, WI 53719

The Ward-Brodt Tent Sale is a great chance to save on instruments and band supplies before the school year begins. The annual summer sale features discounts on student instruments like flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, and trombones, as well as accessories such as reeds, valve oil, and cleaning kits. It’s a good time to purchase an instrument, upgrade from a rental, or stock up on supplies your student will need for the year. Mark your calendar!

• 5th Grade Band Parent Meeting Information (from April 21st meeting)

• Parent Introduction Letter

• Be a Part of the Band! Instrument Information

• NAMM Why Learn to Play