A packet with all of your supply needs has been issued to all
interested students.  Please take the list to your favorite music
vendor to make shopping easier.

Instruments (Required)
In most cases, parents are responsible for renting/purchasing
instruments, books, and all necessary accessories.  You may want to
use the “rent-to-own” plan until your child progresses enough to
warrant buying an instrument.  Below are recommended brands of
instruments.  Please avoid securing an inferior instrument for your
child.  Although inferior instruments are often less expensive, they
are more difficult to play, and do not endure the tests of time and
use.  Quality instruments sound better, and are much easier to play. 
Renting or buying a quality instrument will save you and your child
any unnecessary frustration, and save you time and money in repairs. 
Note: it is advisable to check your homeowner’s insurance policy to
make sure lost or stolen instruments are covered.  It is often prudent
to add a “rider” to your homeowner’s policy in case of theft. 


Instrument Type	Recommended Brands
Flute	Gemeinhardt, Yamaha, Armstrong, LeBlanc, Jupiter
Clarinet	Buffet, Yamaha, Artley, LeBlanc, Jupiter
Alto Saxophone	Yamaha, Selmer, Armstrong (rare), Jupiter
Trumpet	Bach, Weril, JZ, Yamaha, Getzen, Conn, Jupiter, King
French Horn	Holton, Yamaha
Trombone	Bach, Conn, King, Selmer, Getzen, Jupiter
Euphonium	Yamaha, Weril, Jupiter
Percussion
	Pearl Percussion Kit, model PK-800C
This has a bell set, practice pad, and instrument stand.
Oboe, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Tuba	Please see Mr.
Lucas for recommendations and availabilities.
Strings	Knilling, Lewis, Roth, Glaesel, Suzuki, Yamaha (the newer makes)
*All string instruments must have four fine tuners.  Also, please make
your child is properly measured for his or her instrument, especially
if they have not met with me before they acquire it. 

Accessories (Required)
*All students:  There are many products you will need in order to
maintain an instrument properly.
I recommend buying the “instrument care kits” that many stores offer.
 They have everything you will need in one convenient package.  

*Saxophone and Clarinet students:  I highly recommend that you
purchase approximately six  #2 strength “Vandoren” reeds as beginners
often use quite a few during the first few months.  I only recommend
six reeds because if students practice as they should, they may need
to get stronger reeds in the next few weeks or months.   (Please do
not buy other lesser brands.  They are more difficult to play and do
not sound as good as the Vandoren reeds.)

*Violin and Viola students:  Purchase either a shaped foam shoulder
rest or a Kun shoulder rest.
 
Books (Required)
Please obtain the required books by the first lesson.  I will notify
you if other books are needed during the course of the year.)


Group/Level	Book
Beginning Band  (1st Year)

Note:  Notes for Strings is needed because the band version of this
book has been discontinued.	•	Essential Elements 2000, Book 1 by Tim
Lautzenheiser et al
•	Notes For Strings, Book 1 by George Zepp
*Violin book for treble clef instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, sax,
trumpet, french horn)
*Cello book for bass clef instruments (trombone/euphonium)
Advanced Band  (2nd Year)
	•	Essential Elements 2000, Book 1 by Tim Lautzenheiser et al
Percussion	•	A Fresh Approach to Mallet Percussion by Mark Wessels
•	A Fresh Approach to Snare Drum by Mark Wessels
Beginning Orchestra (1st Year)	•	Essential Elements 2000, Book 1 by
Tim Lautzenheiser et al
•	Notes for Strings
Intermediate Orchestra (2nd Year)	•	Essential Elements 2000, Book 1 by
Tim Lautzenheiser et al
Advanced Orchestra
(3rd Year/ more advanced students)	•	At this time, no books will be
assigned until I can determine the level of this group of students.

Music Stand (Required)
It is extremely important that each student has a music stand for his
or her practice sessions at home.  Music stands promote proper
posture, breathing, and other vital performance habits.  Please do not
lean music on a bed, desk, piano, etc., as this will severely hurt
your child’s performance.

Metronome/Tuner (Required for Percussion; highly suggested for all)
All music students should have a metronome.  Metronomes are tools that
produce a steady beat that one can hear and/or see when they play. 
Metronomes allow musicians to select the proper speed for each piece
of music, and help them keep a steady pace as they practice.  Keeping
a steady beat is a skill that is necessary for every musician to acquire.

If a child plays a wind or string instrument, a tuner is also a
“must.”  A tuner will “listen” to each note, and give a student
instant feedback regarding his or her pitch accuracy.  Students can
tell if they are on the correct note, and if they are out of tune.
String students can use the tuner to help tune their instrument before
they play.  String students may want to buy a “pickup” attachment to
assist the effectiveness of the tuner.

I recommend the Sabine Metrotune MT9000 because it has a metronome,
tuner, sound production feature, and several other useful functions. 
 Korg and Dr. Beat also produce excellent products.