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We’re so excited you’ve chosen to support your child’s interest in beginning band. Band is an elective course, and your child will have the option of playing flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone, or percussion (xylophone and snare drum). Scroll through this page for options for providing a band instrument for your child.
Families are responsible for acquiring a band instrument for their child. Some options include purchasing or renting an instrument from a music store, purchasing a previously played instrument being sold online, purchasing an instrument through another website, or borrowing a school-owned instrument.
Please note: Due to extreme pitch problems, lack of durability and repair policies of our local music stores concerning generic/off-brand instruments, we suggest an instrument from our preferred brands list below. A variety of non-music stores and/or websites offer substandard quality instruments, but the pitch problems and lack of repair options can jeopardize your child’s band experience. Students will be most successful playing on a quality instrument that can be repaired if needed. Instruments do not need to be new. A used instrument in good playing condition is perfectly acceptable.
Preferred Instrument Brands
Flute: Gemeinhardt, Selmer, Yamaha, Prelude, Armstrong, Artley, Blessing, Pearl, Di Zhao
Clarinet: Selmer, Yamaha, Jupiter, Armstrong, Buffet, Bundy, LeBlanc, Noblet
Alto Sax: Selmer, Yamaha, Jupiter, Buffet, Bundy, Cannonball, Antigua
Trumpet: Bach, Yamaha, Selmer, Blessing, Besson, Conn, Getzen, Jupiter, King, Olds, Holton
French Horn: Conn, Eastman, Holton, King, Yamaha
Trombone: Yamaha, Jupiter, Getzen, Blessing, Bach, Selmer, Conn, King, Olds, Holton
Baritone: Jupiter, Yamaha, King, Blessing, Bach, Conn, Antigua, Holton
Percussion: See materials and supply list for the exact description of what you need.
Where can we rent or purchase an instrument & supplies?
Most music stores offer instrument payment plans of some kind. Some trusted music stores who sell these preferred brands are listed below.
Sleister Music:
An Ankeny music store whose mission is to provide band students with "world-class instruments, exacting repairs, and friendly service." They offer a Rent-To-Own option and will deliver free to Waukee students. All needed materials (book, stand, reeds, valve/slide oil) are included with their rentals.
2201 W 1st St. Ankeny, IA 50023
Ph: 515-619-1439 or 515-402-3412
Website: https://www.sleistermusic.com/
Rent to Own: https://www.sleistermusic.com/band-instrument-rental
Rieman Music:
For all your music needs: woodwind, brass, or percussion. This local music store has two locations in the Des Moines area:
Urbandale: 6501 Douglas Ave Ph: (515) 278-4685
Des Moines: 4420 E. Broadway Ph: (515) 262-0365
Website: http://www.riemanmusic.com/
Rent to Own: https://riemanmusic.com/t-rentown.aspx
UpTempo Music
Des Moines area music store with a full service Rent-to-Own program. On line rentals and free delivery available. Plus repair service, books and all supplies.
2714 Beaver Ave, Des Moines, IA 50310 Ph: (515)-277-0145
Website: https://uptempomusicstore.com/t-BandRentalsHome.aspx
Rent to Own: https://uptempomusicstore.com/t-BandRentalsHome.aspx
The Percussion Source:
A Central Iowa resource for percussion instruments.
Coralville, IA: 401 Westcor Dr. Ph: 1-866-849-4387
Percussion Source – Waukee 5th Grade Beginning Percussion Xylophone Pack
Percussion Source – Waukee 5th Grade Beginning Percussion Bell Pack
Woodwind & Brasswind:
One of the largest Midwest music retailers.
4004 Technology Dr. South Bend, IN
Ph: 1-800-348-5003
Website: http://www.wwbw.com/
Taylor Music:
Another instrument and supply resource located in South Dakota.
513 South Main Street, PO Box 670, Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401
Ph: 1-800-872-2263 (1-800-USA-BAND)
Website: http://www.1800usaband.com/
West Music:
Located in the land of the Iowa Hawkeyes—Coralville, IA.
Coralville, IA: 1212 5th Street, Coralville, IA Ph: 1-800-373-2000
Website: http://www.westmusic.com/
Are there school instruments to borrow?
The Waukee School District has a limited number of school owned band instruments available for student loan.
Complete this SURVEY to apply for a school instrument.
Please contact your school band teacher for more information.
Can I use a previously played instrument from a garage sale, online source or family member?
Often times it is an advantage to use a previously used instrument for the initial year(s) of band experience. We prefer that these instruments are one of our recommended brands and we suggest that you take the instrument to a local music store to make sure it is in good working condition. There is nothing more frustrating for a beginner than trying to progress on an instrument that does not work properly.
Can I buy an instrument from an online source other than a local music store?
Sometimes you can find good buys from these sources. However, we urge you to use great caution in these kinds of purchases. Many “off-brand” or “problematic” instruments are sold this way. Your school band teacher can help you with questions you have about specific instruments.
Nothing is more frustrating for your child than trying to learn how to play an instrument that doesn’t work properly or play in tune. Please refer to our list of preferred instrument brands. All brands listed can be serviced by our local music store. Be sure to have the instrument checked over and put into good playing condition before the first day of school.
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