The flute plays the highest notes in the woodwind family and is the only one played by blowing across a hole. The earliest flutes were hollow bones used by cavemen. Today's flute is made of silver alloy. The best flute players have a rather flat upper lip with no "tear drop" in the center.

Supplies for Flute and where to get them

Roar by Katy Perry - Flute Cover

Fujii Regrets & Resolutions - Flute Solo

James Galway plays Flight of the Bumblebee

The oboe is a double reed instrument.  This means that the player will blow through two tightly joined cane reeds instead of a mouthpiece to produce a brilliant and distinct sound.  The oboe is a very special instrument, and only a few students will be chosen to play it.  Good oboe players are hardworking and usually independent with good grades.  Good oboists are highly sought by universities and colleges, often receiving substantial scholarships.  We encourage private lessons in addition to daily practice for a beginning oboist.

Supplies for Oboe and where to get them

Albinoni Concerto for Two Oboes

Vivaldi Sonata for Oboe

Gabriel’s Oboe

The bassoon is also a double reed instrument.  It is the lowest member of the woodwind family and has a very dignified and majestic sound.  The bassoon is a highly specialized instrument in the band, and only a select few students will be chosen to play it.  Good bassoon players are usually curious and often enjoy puzzles and mind-bending games.  Exceptionally small hands can be problematic for the bassoon.  Good bassoonists are highly sought by universities and colleges, often receiving substantial scholarships.  We encourage private lessons in addition to daily practice for a beginning bassoonist.

Supplies for Bassoon and where to get them

Super Mario Bassoon Quartet

Lean on Me - The Breaking Winds Bassoon Quartet 

Boon the Bassoon Quartet

The clarinet has a single, flat piece of wood (reed) attached to a hollow mouthpiece. The instrument itself is made of wood. It has a remarkable range from low to high sounds and from loud to soft. Good for those students who did well with the recorder in elementary music. Students who are double-jointed are NOT good candidates for the clarinet.

 Supplies for Clarinet and where to get them

Super Mario Clarinet Ensemble

Clarinet Candy

Petrenko and NYO Clarinets

A relatively recent invention (1840) compared to the other instruments, the saxophone combines the single reed of the clarinet and the metal body of the brass instruments. Its mellow sounds blend well with both woodwinds or brasses. The saxophone is an important member of the jazz band. Students who are double jointed are NOT candidates for saxophone. Enrollment is limited as this is a popular choice for students.

Supplies for Saxophone and where to get them

Uptown Funk

Trepak, from the Nutcracker

Funky Jazz Solo

The trumpet, with its high-pitched brilliant tone, is the leader of the brass family. A trumpet player can produce all the notes of the scale by pressing the valves and changing the lip vibration speed. The best trumpet players tend to have smaller sized lips, but this is not a rule. The trumpet is an important member of the jazz band.

Supplies for Trumpet and where to get them

Bugler’s Holiday

Gonna Fly Now

Tine Thing Helseth

The French Horn is made from 12-16 feet of brass tubing circled around and around. The tone is very mellow. In addition to using the lips and valves to change the pitch, the player places a hand in the bell to sometimes give a muted effect. There is limited availability. Must have a good ear for music & a great academic record. Piano experience is helpful. Beginning French Horn players are encouraged to take weekly private lessons along with daily practice.

Supplies for Horn and where to get them

Back to the Future

Star Wars Medley

Berlin Philharmonic Horns

The Trombone sounds very brassy like the trumpet, but it makes a lower sound. The player changes tones by sliding one tube in and out of the other, rather than by pressing valves. The trombone is an important member of the jazz band.

Supplies for Trombone and where to get them

 Happy - Pharrell Williams

Trombone Quartet

Virtuoso Trombone Quartet

Like a mini-tuba, the Euphonium plays the same notes as the trombone, but has a rounder, more mellow sound. Due to its valves, it can play faster passages of music with more smoothness and ease. There is limited availability.

Euphonium supplies and where to get them

Pirates of the Caribbean - Euphonium Quartet

Uptown Funk - Euphonium Loop

The Swan

The tuba is the largest and the lowest of the band instruments. Its bass voice gives the deep, low tones that are the foundation of the band. When unwound, a tuba is 16 feet long. Instruments are provided by the school, but there is limited availability. You do not have to hold it, it sits on the seat of the chair. We have smaller tubas for beginners, as well as some tubas to leave at home for home practice.

Supplies for Tuba and where to get them

Sonic Boom

Melton Tuba Quartet

Tangerine - Tuba Jazz

The percussion section of the band keeps the beat, builds excitement and adds color to the band. A percussionist does not just play drums; he/she plays bells, xylophone, timpani, cymbals, triangle, and many other instruments (all school-owned). A 6th grade Percussion Kit must be rented or purchased from a music company. It consists of a Practice Pad, Bells, stand for both, and sticks and mallets. Enrollment is limited, and we have a lottery system to decide who gets to play this instrument. Due to the unique nature of these instruments, students playing this instrument take weekly private lessons.

Supplies for Percussion and where to get them

Home Depot Percussion 

Pachelbel’s Canon

8-year-old Drumset Player

Click HERE to find out!

Everyone! Any student with an open elective is more than welcome in the Driscoll Band.

No! We will teach you everything you need to know. Your elementary music teachers have already established a firm foundation of music education. We will build on that knowledge as you learn to play an instrument.

That depends! The Driscoll Band directors will be coming to your elementary school to help you select your instrument. Each person has different physical features and personality traits.  We will help find the instrument that suits you the very best and will allow you to be successful!

These instruments are not taught formerly in our program. High school band, however, will have a Jazz Program where these instruments are available. Speak with a band director if you have experience with any of these instruments.

We are committed to working with all students to make band affordable for them!

YES! We have had many band students in every thinkable activity. All it requires is communication!

Students will be in "like-instrument" classes for beginning band (i.e. trumpet class). Then in 7th and 8th grade you will be in a band with all of the instruments playing together!

In the beginner year, there are 3 performances and 3 after-school rehearsals total. Everything else it taught during the school day during your student’s band class! We also have several optional parties and get-togethers throughout the year. Other than that, we ask that students practice their instruments at least 5 nights a week.

YES! We work hard learning our instruments, but we have a lot of fun while doing it. We also have fun parties and trips with friends throughout the year!