Embedded Files
All Students - Binder
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 was 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
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
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)
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)
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)
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
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)
Music Stand (for home use)
Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)
Alto Saxophone
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
Bonade ligature (inverted)
Music Stand (for home use)
Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)
French Horn
Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)
Trumpet
Mouthpiece: Bach 3C, 5C, 7C (depends on the player)
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
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
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
Music Stand (for home use)
Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)
Percussion
"Percussion Learning Kit" (Music & Arts) OR (Chuck Levins) for home use only
(Preferred) Vic Firth EP2A "Stick/Mallet" Bag (the bag comes with sticks and mallets)
ORStick/Mallet Bag Only (sticks/mallets NOT included) See below
OR
Stick/Mallet Bag Only (sticks/mallets NOT included)
Evans "Real Feel" Practice Pad (12" pad)
Music Stand (for home use)
Name Tag for your instrument (from your local music store)
A note to student percussionists and their parents:
A stick bag is essential from the very start of percussion study to organize and protect your tools.
Timpani mallet care is crucial: Always store timpani mallets in their original plastic bags when not in use. This protects the felt and extends its life. Never use timpani mallets on suspended cymbals—use a yarn mallet instead.
Like all instrumentalists, percussionists have ongoing equipment needs:
Woodwind players need reeds
Brass players need valve oil
String players need rosin, new strings, and occasional bow rehairing
If purchasing the required Vic Firth EP2A, "Stick/Mallet" bag (which includes a starting set of sticks and mallets) isn't possible right away, please budget to acquire 1 – 2 new items per year.
For example:
Year 1: Snare sticks and bell mallets.
Year 2: One pair of timpani or yarn mallets.
Year 3: The other pair (timpani or yarn mallets) not yet acquired.
While not every student will need every item on a full list, more advanced or serious students, especially those pursuing high school, solo and ensembles, college/university ensembles, or private study, will be expected to have "the right tools."
University professors often provide their own specific, recommended gear lists, sometimes featuring endorsed brands.
I recommend that all sticks and mallets be purchased from
Chuck Levins: Washington Music Center or Music & Arts (not Amazon and in this order).
If you are unsure of which bag/stick/mallet to purchase below, please reach out to Mr. Dignen
with any questions you may have: tim.dignen@pgcps.org
Beginning Percussion Students (Year 1)
Snare Drum
- Vic Firth General (SD-1), 5A, 5B or equivalent to fit your hand (7A is very thin/light & good for drumset with a small combo like a quartet, but too light for snare drum; 2B is too heavy and
is closer to a concert snare stick).
Bells/Xylophone
- Poly ball/nylon mallet; good on xylophone & bells/harder than rubber but not a hard plastic: Yamaha KPB-91B, Innovative IP902: James Ross, Malletech BB34: Bob Becker, or equivalent.
Intermediate Percussion Students (Year 2)
Snare Drum
- Vic Firth General (SD-1), Innovative IP-JC James Campbell or equivalent
Bells/Xylophone
- Poly ball/nylon mallet; good on xylophone & bells/harder than rubber but not a hard plastic: Yamaha KPB-91B, Innovative IP902 James Ross, Malletech BB34 Bob Becker, or equivalent
Timpani
- Vic Firth T3 Staccato (smaller head than a T1 General), Innovative GT-3 Medium or equivalent
Marimba/Vibraphone (also for use on suspended cymbals)
- 1 pair medium yarn mallets: Yamaha KYB-13, Innovative IP240 or equivalent, OR 1 pair medium hard yarn mallets: Yamaha KYB-12, Innovative IP275 or equivalent
Drum Set
- 5A, 5B or similar (7A is very thin/light & good for small combo like a quartet but not large ensemble work; 2B is too heavy/closer to a concert snare stick)
Brushes
- Vic Firth Jazz Brush
Advanced Percussion Students (Year 3)
Snare Drum
- Vic Firth General (SD-1), Innovative IP-JC James Campbell, Cooperman #1 (Graham C. Johns), Cooperman #5 (Nick Petrella), or equivalent, AND
- Vic Firth Bolero (SD-2), or equivalent
Bells/Xylophone
- Poly Ball/Nylon: Yamaha KPB-91B, Innovative IP902 James Ross, Malletech BB34 Bob Becker, or equivalent, AND
- Either 1 pair of very hard acrylic/plastic mallets for bells: Yamaha KPB-10B, Innovative IP906
James Ross, OR
- 1 pair brass bell mallets: Yamaha KBB-9B, Balter 09B, or equivalent
Timpani
- Vic Firth T3 Staccato (smaller head than a T1 General), Innovative GT-3 Medium or equivalent, AND
- Innovative GT-4 Hard Staccato or equivalent
Marimba
- 2 pair medium yarn mallets: Yamaha KYB-13, Innovative IP240, or equivalent OR
- 2 pair medium hard yarn mallets: Yamaha KYB-12, Innovative IP275
Vibraphone
- 2 pair medium vibe mallets: Innovative RS251, Malletech DS11, or equivalent OR
- 2 pair hard vibe mallets: Innovative RS301, Malletech DS18 or equivalent (select a different harness from marimba mallets above for variety)
Drum Set
- 5A, 5B or equivalent
- 7A for small combos and light cymbal work
Brushes
- Vic Firth Jazz Brush - Pro Mark “Hot Rods”
Orchestra Students Only
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
3/4 - 4/4 (for 3/4 & full size violins)
1/2 - 3/4 (for 1/2 & 3/4 size violins)
Extra set of strings (Prelude) (Be sure to select the correct set for your size violin)
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
(15" - 16.5" violas only)
4/4 (14" violas only)
3/4 (13" violas only)
1/2 (12" violas only)
Extra set of strings (Prelude) (Be sure to select the correct set for your size viola)
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
Extra set of strings (Prelude) (Be sure to select the correct set for your size cello)
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)
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
Rental Flyers from Teacher Approved Shops
Rental Flyers from Teacher Approved Shops
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
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