Required Materials

All Students - Binder
Your child will receive a cover sheet, rhythm charts, and warm-ups for their binder once the following binder materials are brought to class.

*Links are provided for most of the materials listed below. The same brand is not required as long as the item is the same.

Everything is due by Monday, September 8.

• • • A 1 1/2” three-ring all-black binder
      (clear plastic cover on the front) (this binder is for band/orchestra only)

    • At least 50 plastic sleeves

    • 5-pack divider set

    • 3-ring pencil pouch
      (always loaded with one or two pencils for class)

    • One green and one orange highlighter
      (in the pencil pouch)

    • 3x5 Index Cards
      (50 cards in the pencil pouch)

    • Pencils (No Pens)
      (mechanical pencils are preferred, but are not required)

    • Method Book
      (supplied by PGCPS instrumental music department)

Band Students Only
Many of the items below are hyperlinked for your convenience. If a link does not work, please let me know. 

A working quality instrument from a teacher-recommended shop. See flyers below. 

Flute

• • Cleaning Rod (plastic or wood only)

  • Silk cloth

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Oboe

• • Reeds (at least 2 recommended): Edmund Nielsen: Purple (strength will vary depending on the student)

  • Reed Guard

  • Cork Grease

  • An empty 35mm film canister or old pill bottle

  • Cleaning swab - A cleaning swab is one of the most important accessories for the oboe because it helps maintain a dry instrument and prevents mold from forming in or around the instrument.

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Bassoon

• • Reeds (at least 2 recommended): Edmund Nielsen: Black or White (strength will vary depending on student)

  • Reed Guard

  • Cork Grease

  • An empty 35mm film canister or old pill bottle

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Clarinet

• • Clark W. Fobes “Debut” Mouthpiece

  • Vandoren (blue box) or Mitchell Lurie Reeds (Size: 2.5) (Size: 3 if you have played for at least a year)

    • No orange box Rico reeds

  • Bonade Ligature (Inverted)  

  • Reed Guard

  • Cork Grease

  • Silk Cloth

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Alto Saxophone

• • Clark W. Fobes “Debut” Mouthpiece

  • Vandoren (blue box) or Hemke Reeds (size 2.5) (Size: 3 if you have played for at least a year)

    • No orange box Rico reeds

  • Neckstrap

  • Bonade ligature (inverted)

  • Reed Guard

  • Cork Grease

  • Silk Cloth

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

French Horn

• • Music Stand

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Trumpet

• • Mouthpiece: Bach 3C, 5C, 7C (depends on the player)

  • Valve Oil

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Trombone

• • Mouthpiece: Bach 6 1/2AL Small Shank (preferred) or Giardinelli 6 1/2AL Small Shank

  • Slide-O-Mix

  • Miniature spray water bottle (from Target or Walmart)

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Baritone/Euphonium

• • Valve Oil

  • Mouthpiece: Bach 6 1/2AL Small Shank (preferred) or Giardinelli 6 1/2AL Small Shank

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Tuba

• • Valve Oil

  • Helleburg 120S Mouthpiece

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Percussion

• • "Percussion Learning Kit" (Music & Arts) OR (Chuck Levins)

  • Vic Firth EP2A "Stick/Mallet" Bag

  • Evans "Real Feel" Practice Pad (12") Promotional Pricing through September 28

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Orchestra Students Only

Many of the items below are hyperlinked for your convenience. If a link does not work, please let me know.

A working quality instrument from a teacher-recommended shop. See flyers below.

Violin

• • Everest Shoulder Rest

    • 3/4 - 4/4 (for 3/4 & full size violins)

    • 1/2 - 3/4 (for 1/2 & 3/4 size violins)

  • Violin Rosin (Dark)

  • Extra set of strings (Prelude) (Be sure to select the correct set for your size violin)

  • Cleaning Cloth

  • Practice Mute (for 3/4 & 4/4 size violins) (good to use if you live in an apartment) 

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Viola

• • Everest Shoulder Rest

    • (15" - 16.5" violas only)

  • Everest Shoulder Rest

    • 4/4 (14" violas only)

    • 3/4 (13" violas only)

    • 1/2 (12" violas only)

  • Viola Rosin (Dark)

  • Extra set of strings (Prelude) (Be sure to select the correct set for your size viola)

  • Cleaning Cloth

  • Practice Mute (for 13" - 16" violas) (good to use if you live in an apartment)

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Cello

• • Cello Rosin

  • Cello Stopper

  • Extra set of strings (Prelude) (Be sure to select the correct set for your size cello)

  • Cleaning Cloth

  • Practice Mute (for 1/2, 3/4, & 4/4 cellos) (good to use if you live in an apartment)

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Double Bass

• • Bass Rosin (Kolstein - All Weather)

  • Bass Stopper

  • Cleaning Cloth

  • Music Stand (for home use)

  • Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)

Nail Length:  To successfully play a string instrument with proper position and technique, fingernails must be maintained and trimmed short.  Fingertips should be able to be placed on a table without the nail touching the table.  This allows the student to set their fingertip on the string of their instrument without the nail impairing intonation and pitch accuracy.

FYI...Since we are all string players, set aside a day/time to visit Gailes' Violin Shop in College Park. They deal with all things strings for violin, viola, and cello players. In addition to renting/buying an instrument and getting the required materials from them, they are VERY knowledgeable and will take good care of you.  Please be sure to let them know what school you are coming from and mention my name.

A few tips...

If the deal for an instrument seems to be too good to be true, it probably is.  "Deals" that you might find on the internet or in a store other than the ones listed below will more than likely not be quality (and you will end up paying more over time). 

Quality, quality, quality.  A used quality instrument is better than a poorly made new instrument. 

When in doubt please communicate with Mr. Dignen.  I want to see each student be successful which largely hinges around quality materials.  I am also empathetic to a family's financial situation and want to help you find the best possible equipment that fits within your budget. 

INSTRUMENTS OF ODD COLOR WILL NOT BE PERMITTED IN REHEARSAL OR PERFORMANCE.

Rental Locations

Band Students

• Music & Arts (Bowie): 301-262-5950 (Oxon Hill): 301-686-0406 (Greenbelt) 301-474-1474

• Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center: 301-946-8808

Orchestra Students

• Gailes Violin Shop: 301-474-4300 (Violin, Viola & Cello only)

Recommended repair shops

• Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center: 301-946-8808

• ATEC Music: 301-877-8600

• Music & Arts: 301-686-0406

Orchestra Instruments

• Gailes Violin Shop: 301-474-4300

• Music & Arts: 301-686-0406

Music & Arts
(Rent: All Band & Orchestra Instruments)

Gailes' Violin Shop
(Rent: Violin, Viola, & Cello)
Preferred shop to upgrade all string instruments to step up and professional level.

Chuck Levins: Washington Music Center
(Rent: all band & orchestra instruments)
Preferred shop to upgrade all band instruments to step up and professional level.

Sweetwater (Online rental system only)
Click here - rent now - Ellen Ochoa Middle School Parents