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Woodwind and Brass Rental Link
Drums and Bells should use the links in the "Drums" and "Bells" sections below.
How to Get an Instrument
In order to participate in band, students will need to have an instrument. Our district partners with Music & Arts, and their website can be accessed through the link above. They offer a convenient and affordable rent-to-own program that I highly recommend. This program provides your child with a quality, reliable instrument and includes full repair coverage throughout the year. Over time, your rental payments go toward ownership, meaning that if your child continues in band through middle and high school, the instrument will eventually be yours. At the same time, the program is flexible—if your child decides band isn’t the right fit, you may end the rental at any time.
You could rent an instrument from another music shop if you can find a better deal.
Students might be able to get an instrument from a friend or family member. (Mr. Stetson will need to check it out to make sure it works)
You could purchase a used instrument. Sometimes there are good deals on facebook marketplace or ebay. Before buying, send it to Mr. Stetson and he will let you know if it is a quality brand.
I strongly discourage purchasing a brand-new instrument for beginners. At this stage, students are still exploring whether band is something they will enjoy long-term, so investing in a new instrument is often unnecessary. In addition, please be cautious of instruments sold online—particularly those on Amazon with unusually low prices (around $100). Quality instruments simply cannot be made that cheaply. These off-brand instruments tend to produce poor sound, break easily, are difficult to play, and ultimately make it harder for students to succeed. As a general guideline, avoid instruments that come with “extras” like gloves, as these are usually signs of poor quality. Likewise, brightly colored instruments (blue, purple, pink, orange, etc.) are not designed for serious use. High-quality instruments should be metallic in appearance—typically gold, silver, or brass.
If the cost of an instrument is a concern, please know that I have a limited number of school-owned instruments available to rent at a reduced price for the year. Money will never be a barrier to joining band. Simply send me an email, and I will make sure your student is matched with an instrument. While it may not always be their first choice, every student who has the desire to participate will have the opportunity to play and be part of the band.
More Instrument Info
Below we have the eight instrument options that students can choose from. They are: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, Drums, and Bells.
I have outlined what your student will need for each instrument and included a link to the method book. You can order the method book along with the instrument through Music and Arts. If you already have an instrument, or got one a different way, please use the links below to order the correct method book for that instrument.
For Bell players, I can provide a bell set for your student. You will just need to order the items listed below under "Bells".
Please try to purchase the 2025 version of the Essential Elements Method Book. It has a few updated songs compared to the previous version.
Woodwinds
(Flute / Clarinet / Saxophone)
Flute
Flute
Flute is a very popular choice for beginner students. The flute is a versatile and elegant instrument that offers a unique experience. Flute players typically play the melody line of the song. They are the highest pitch voice in the band, and always get to sit in the front.
The flute can be a challenging instrument for beginners to learn. The embouchure is difficult to form, and the fingering combinations needed to create the first few notes are unnatural. Also, despite its small size, the flute actually takes the most air out of all the instrument to produce a sound.
The flute tends to be a very popular choice among students and therefore the lesson sizes are typically larger.
To participate in band, Flute players will need to have a working Flute, and the Essential Elements for Band Flute Book 1.
Clarinet
Clarinet
Opting to play the clarinet can open up a world of musical exploration for students. This versatile instrument boasts a rich and expressive sound that spans genres from classical to jazz. The Clarinet has a huge range of pitch, it can play very high and low notes. The Clarinets embouchure can be a little difficult to learn, but once students can consistently make a sound, they will be off to the races. The fingering combinations on the Clarinet are very natural and are easy to memorize. The Clarinet is a small instrument and easy for students to manage.
To participate in band, Clarinet players will need to have a working Bb Clarinet, and the Essential Elements for Band Bb Clarinet Book 1.
It would also be good to purchase reeds for your Clarinet player. However, they are not mandatory. I can provide them with reeds in school. If you choose to purchase reeds please make sure they are for Bb Clarinet, and are 2.5 strength. Rico and Vandoren are quality brands.
Alto Saxophone
Alto Saxophone
Selecting the saxophone as a first instrument offers students an exciting and versatile musical adventure. With its captivating and soulful sound, the saxophone has a remarkable ability to convey emotions across various music genres, from smooth jazz to energetic pop.
The Saxophone has a wide range of sounds. It can play both high and low notes and it is relatively easy to switch between them. The first few notes that students learn have very natural fingering combinations that are easy to memorize. I find that the Saxophone is one of the easiest instruments for beginners to make a sound on.
To participate in band, Saxophone players will need to have a working Eb Saxophone, and the Essential Elements for Band Eb Alto Saxophone Book 1.
It would also be good to purchase reeds for your Saxophone player. However, they are not mandatory. I can provide them with reeds in school. If you choose to purchase reeds please make sure they are for Eb Alto Saxophone, and are 2.5 strength. Rico and Vandoren are quality brands.
Brass
(Trumpet / Trombone / Baritone)
Trumpet
Trumpet
Choosing to play the trumpet can be an exhilarating musical choice for students. The trumpet's bold and vibrant sound stands out in any ensemble, adding brilliance to orchestras, bands, and jazz groups.
The Trumpet is the smallest of our brass instruments and is easy for elementary students to handle. The finger combinations and notes are very easy to memorize since there are only three valves.
The hardest part of learning the trumpet is the embouchure. It takes a while to build up strong face muscles in order to reach higher notes.
To participate in band, Trumpet players will need to have a working Trumpet, and the Essential Elements for Band Bb Trumpet Book 1.
Trombone
Trombone
Opting to play the Trombone offers students a unique and exciting musical avenue. With its distinctive slide mechanism, the Trombone allows for smooth glissandos and expressive phrasing, adding a rich and mellow tone to various music styles, from classical to jazz.
The Trombone is a very important instrument in our band as it helps support the low end of our sound. It can also be a very loud instrument which is fun for beginner students who like to be bold.
The hardest part of learning the Trombone is memorizing the slide positions, but once students learn those, then they can move pretty quickly.
Trombone is not usually a popular instrument, so lesson sizes tend to be smaller, and more individual attention can be given to your student.
To participate in band, Trombone players will need to have a working Trombone, and the Essential Elements for Band Trombone Book 1.
Baritone
Baritone
Choosing to play the baritone can be a rewarding and impactful musical decision for students. The baritone's warm and expressive sound contributes depth to ensembles, creating a solid foundation in both orchestras and bands.
The Baritone can be intimidating for students because of its large size. But do not let that stop them! Some of our most successful Baritone players have been the smallest students.
Baritone players are very important for our ensemble, as they provide the low end to our sound.
Baritone lessons are almost always on the smaller side, so students will likely get more individual instruction.
To participate in band, Baritone players will need to have a working Baritone, and the Essential Elements for Band Baritone B.C. Book 1.
Percussion
(Drums / Bells)
Drums
Drums
Drums are the most popular choice from beginner student by far. However, not everyone can play drums! The band needs brass and woodwind players otherwise we end up with a drumline instead of a band.
Drums are an important part of the band. They keep the beat for the group and can also be very fun. Student who have a strong natural sense of rhythm and timing will make for excellent drummers. Each band needs between 3-5 drummers. If there are too many students on drums, they will have to take turns on songs during the concerts.
Beginner drummers will be playing on a drum pad for the first 3-4 months before playing on an actual drum.
To participate in band, Drummers will need a pair of Vic Firth American Custom SD1 General snare drum sticks, a stick bag, a drum pad, and Alfred's Drum Method Book 1.
Bells
Bells
Choosing to play the bells offers students a captivating and melodious experience. The bells, also known as the glockenspiel or xylophone, produce bright and cheerful tones that can enhance the overall sound of the ensemble.
Mr. Stetson should be able to provide your student with a bell set.
Students who have a background in piano will pick up the bells very quickly since the notes are laid out in the same configuration.
To participate in band, Bell players will need to have a pair of Bob Becker BB34 bell mallets, a stick bag, and the Essential Elements for Band Percussion/Keyboard Percussion Book 1. Links to those items are below.
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