It is Rhinelander School District, Instrumental Music Departments' philosophy to teach mallet instruments, battery instruments as well as the auxilary percussion. All percussionists are required to rent a bell kit. This contains a bell set, with stand, mallets, a practice pad,(which is like a snare drum, only smaller and more quiet!) and drum sticks. We begin with the bells and then introduce the battery percussion after a few weeks of school. This bell kit should NOT be returned when we begin learning snare, bass drum, etc. I rotate which instruments students play every class period so they cover all the percussion instruments. The playing tests that I give are for bells. With out something to practice on, they will not be able to do as well as the other students! If you have questions please call me at school, 365-9220 ext. 7051.