WHAT TO GET AND WHAT TO WEAR:
INSTRUMENTS, SUPPLIES, MUSIC, UNIFORM
INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT
Each band member will be expected to keep his or her instrument in excellent
condition. Grades will be given on periodic inspections. All cases will have
the students name clearly marked on both sides and ends. Reeds, valve oil,
and other basic supplies by be purchased and delivered to the school through
Music Exchange, and of course you may purchase equipment through local music
stores or on-line (see list). Plan ahead!
Required Materials for Band
All musicians must have their instrument, music, pencil, and accessories at
every rehearsal.
Accessories include:
Flute
Cleaning rod, cleaning cloth
Oboe and Bassoon
2 good reeds, reed case, instrument swab
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet and Saxophones
3 good reeds, reed guard, instrument swab, cork grease, neck strap
Trumpet, Horn, Baritone, Tuba
Valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake
Trombone
Superslick slide creme, slide grease, spray bottle, mouthpiece brush, cleaning
snake
Percussion
Stick bag, snare sticks, xylophone mallets
WOODWINDS
Keep instrument free of dust.
Check pads weekly for worn or torn skins.
Mouthpieces should be cleaned daily. (things you can't see start growing)
Double reed players should have 2 playable reeds at all times. Clarinets and
saxes should have 3 playable reeds. Playable means no chips or cracks and
looks new.
Cases should be clean and clearly display name and class, on the end of the
case facing into the band hall from your slot.
BRASS
Instrument should be washed weekly, inside and out. Do not perform this task
without instructions from your director.
Mouth pieces should be cleaned daily.
Tuning slides should be greased after the weekly wash.
Trombone slides should be lubricated with the slide cream as necessary.
Valves should be oiled as necessary
Cases should be kept clean and clearly display name and class, on the end of
the case facing into the band hall from your slot.
PERCUSSION
All players should have two pair of snare sticks and two pair of mallets (med.
Hard rubber and yarn)
All players are responsible for keeping all equipment clean and in good
working order.
All players are responsible for keeping the percussion area CLEAN and ORGANIZED
SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS
Students using school instruments are responsible for any damage brought about
through carelessness. Students who wish to check out a school instrument must
sign a receipt and bond form, and it must also be signed by a parent. It will
be the student's responsibility to have the instrument repaired at an approved
music store.
INSTRUMENT INSURANCE
You are strongly urged to insure your personal instrument. Insurance must be
purchased if you use a school instrument. Insurance may be purchased through
the school district's insurance company. You might check with your insurance
representative about whether your homeowner’s policy covers personal or school
instruments.
Whether or not your instrument is personally owned or district owned, always
make sure that you have a written record at home of the make, model and serial
number. This information will be required if something should happen to the
instrument.
MUSIC
Music will be provided free to students in band. All students are responsible
for all music in their folders. Folders should be kept in the assigned slot
during the day. Students should keep their method books and sheet music in a
BLACK 1” 3-ringed binder in plastic page protectors. Keep a pencil handy at
all times!
It is very important that all music is taken care of and preserved for use in
future years. Music lost or destroyed may have a replacement fee assessed.
Students will be charged replacement costs for school owned method books that
are lost. Music which is not turned in one day after it is taken up is
considered lost and will be paid for.
Music may be marked in pencil only and music must never be folded. Try to get
in the habit of numbering all measures of music in your folder.
All music, method books, and folders must be clearly marked, in pen, with your
name, instrument, and class.
PRIVATE LESSONS
The director will always strive to give as much individual attention to each
student, but time constraints, and with the size of a band program, the
director may not reach each individual as often as needed. The success of
every outstanding band program depends on the quality of the players as well
as the determination of the band students to give that extra effort. Top
school band programs across the state typically have large numbers of the
students studying privately. Excellent private teachers take the student to
the next level, many times teaching finer points that will never be covered in
a class setting. Contact your director for help locating a private teacher.