Instruments

Instrument Selection

During the Band Information Night, students will hear instruments demonstrated and later be able to hold each instrument. For safety reasons, students will not be able to play the instruments themselves.

At this time, parents and students are encouraged to ask questions about each instrument and see how it feels to hold, especially the larger instruments.

If your child already plays an instrument you can note this on your instrument preferences form (now live!)

Instrument Preferences

After the information night, the children are asked to express three instrument choices via this digital form: Instrument Preferences (now live!)

Please note:

Alto & Tenor Saxophone are NOT regarded as separate choices.
Percussion includes all percussion instruments, including auxiliary percussion and optional glockenspiel – not just drum kit. Percussion players will not necessarily perform on drum kit in concerts or competitions.
If your child already plays an instrument, please note this on the form.

In choosing the instruments for the children, we are aiming to ensure two things:

the children will have an instrument with which they are happy, and on which they are likely to succeed
the band has a balanced representation from all instrument groups

Although every effort will be made to oblige first preferences, it may be necessary to move to second or even third choices. All children must be prepared to accept the instrument that is allocated if it is one of their three preferences. You will be contacted if it appears necessary to allocate your third preference.

This form will be opened after the meeting and will close on Friday 22 November.

Mr Rowland will email you after this date with your child's allocated instrument and further information.

Changing Instruments

It is generally not possible to change instruments after the first year, as there are limited instruments to offer each year and this will affect the balance of the bands in years to come.

If the child does change instruments, they will begin in Junior Band as this is the best place to learn their new instrument, step-by-step. Their progress will be monitored and when appropriate standard, they can move to Intermediate Band or Performance Band to be with their year group peers.

The same process applies for students joining the band program in years 4-6 - they will begin in Junior Band and move to other bands when appropriate standard.

Instrument Hire

Students joining Junior Band can hire their instrument from TPS for a low cost that covers instruments repairs.

Hired instruments are returned to the school at the end of the Junior Band year so they can be serviced and made available for the following year's new musicians (note the exceptions to this in 'Buying your own instrument' below).

Alternatively, students can hire their instrument from another provider, or purchase their own.

Buying your own instrument

As the student progresses through the band program, they will eventually need to buy their own instrument:

Trumpet, Trombone, Alto saxophone, Flute, Clarinet: can hire from TPS for one year; purchase own instrument after first year
Tenor saxophone: can hire from TPS for two years; purchase own instrument after second year
French horn, Euphonium, Tuba: can hire from TPS for the entire band program
Percussion: use the band equipment during rehearsals and performances but you will need to purchase a drum kit (acoustic or electric) for home

Turramurra Music offers TPS families special prices. Contact your band manager for more information.

Note: Please do not purchase ALDI instruments. Even though they are very affordable, they are poor quality, do not have the best sound, and instrument repairers will not service them.

Instrument Storage

Instruments can be left in the Band Storage Room during the school day except on Tuesday and Friday.

Alternatively, some students prefer to take their instrument to their class and leave it alongside their school bag.

Note: On Tuesday and Fridays take your instrument to class with you after the morning rehearsal or it will be locked in.

Be sure to collect your instrument from the Band Room or classroom before heading home.

Wherever you decide to leave your instrument, make sure it is safe and dry and won't be damaged, and that is out of the way so no one trips over it.

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