Equipment

at least 3 medium strength reeds (reeds will wear out and need to be replaced periodically)
a silk swab
cork grease

an upgrade to one of the following mouthpieces: Vandoren 5RV Lyre or Vandoren B45. This is highly recommended for our 7th & 8th grade students.
4 Vandoren or Mitchell Lurie strength 2 ½ reeds for 6th grade and strength 3 for 7th & 8th grade. Reeds will wear out and need to be replaced periodically. As the clarinetist develops they will also need a harder strength reed. As a general rule, buying the most cost-effective reeds will not provide you the best “bang-for-your-buck”. We have worked with several reed brands and strengths, and the recommendation provided here will be the best use of your money toward a reeds purchase for your child.
a cotton or silk pull-through swab (not felt)
other cleaning supplies: mouthpiece brush, polishing cloth & cork grease
a 4 reed capacity “Reed Guard”

an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Selmer C-star or the more reasonably priced Marnay mouthpiece available at Meyer Music Co..
4 Vandoren or Fred Hemke strength 2 ½ or 3 reeds. Reeds will wear out and need to be replaced periodically. As a general rule, buying the most cost-effective reeds will not provide you the best “bang-for-your-buck”. We have worked with several reed brands and strengths, and the recommendation provided here will be the best use of your money toward a reeds purchase for your child.
a cotton or silk pull-through swab (not felt)
other cleaning supplies – mouthpiece brush, polishing cloth & cork grease
a 4 reed capacity “Reed Guard”

an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Selmer C-star or the more reasonably priced Marnay mouthpiece available at Meyer Music Co..
4 Vandoren or Fred Hemke strength 2 ½ or 3 reeds. Reeds will wear out and need to be replaced periodically. As a general rule, buying the most cost-effective reeds will not provide you the best “bang-for-your-buck”. We have worked with several reed brands and strengths, and the recommendation provided here will be the best use of your money toward a reeds purchase for your child.
a cotton or silk pull-through swab (not felt)
other cleaning supplies – mouthpiece brush, polishing cloth & cork grease
a 4 reed capacity “Reed Guard”

an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Bach 7C. This may have come with your instrument if you’re renting to own or buying it new.
cleaning supplies: mouthpiece brush, snake brush, slide grease, brass polishing cloth.
valve oil

an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Holton-Farkas medium cup.
rotary oil & spindle oil.
cleaning supplies: mouthpiece brush, snake brush, slide grease, & brass polishing cloth.

an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Bach 6 ½ AL or Schilke 51D small shank
supplies including: super slick slide cream, water spray bottle, mouthpiece brush, snake brush, slide grease and polishing cloth.

an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Schilke 51D small shank mouthpiece.
Cleaning supplies: mouthpiece brush, snake brush, slide grease, & brass polishing cloth.
valve oil

an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Conn Helleberg standard tuba mouthpiece
rotary oil & valve oil.
cleaning supplies: mouthpiece brush, snake brush, slide grease, & brass polishing cloth.

• Mr. Boyden (6th Grade) & Mr. Sedatole (7th & 8th Grade) will communicate to the percussionists the supplies necessary.

If you are interested in changing your band instrument, please read the following information below….

A demonstration has been given that introduces the new instruments to which a student might switch.
Students are allowed to show interest in a switch and sign-up to try out a new instrument.
Students who show interest by signing-up must get parent consent in order to try-out a new instrument.
After permission is granted from a parent, a band director or band representative will allow a student to try a new instrument. Some assessments will be made by both the student and the teacher: comfort, tone production, initial potential, etc…
If there is more interest for a particular instrument than the band can accommodate, a small audition may be held to help determine which student(s) will be allowed to change to a new instrument.
After permission has been granted to switch to a new instrument by both the parent and band director, an instrument will be provided for use to the student.

Students changing to a new instrument are expected to practice more often after the change in order to catch up with their fellow band members. Practicing less will only widen the achievement gap causing an increased possibility that the student may choose not to continue with band.
Students changing to a new instrument are expected to be patient with their progress as they overcome the initial difficulties associated with an instrument change. Hard work will pay off, and success will come in time.
Students have the option to take private lessons in order to gain additional guidance on their new instrument. Private music lessons come with a price, but they are worth every penny. Lessons are highly encouraged for a student’s continued growth on any instrument. Some initial support will be provided by the band director(s) in order to help make the switch a success, but the bulk of the work will rest with the student.