This is our textbook that will be used throughout 4th and 5th Grade.  Students who rent from a music store (such as K&S or Music Shop) should receive a free copy with their rental.  If students do not have a copy, they should accuire one for their specific instrument at any local music store or online at any reputable book store/sheet music retailer. Please be sure to order the correct book for specific to your instrument!

A 1" Binder (recommended for 5th Grade) or a folder that is dedicated for musical materials is great.  This will help students keep all of their sheet music, books, and schedules together in one place.  This Folder/Binder should be brought to all music lessons/band rehearsals.  No need to buy something brand new if you have a gently used one at home that can be recycled.

Music stands by Peak and Musicians Gear are highly recommended.  Good sized stands that are durable, sturdy, and affordable!

A cleaning kit should be used to help clean and maintain the inside of our brass instruments and mouthpieces.  Over time, both the moisture and bits of food, etc begin to collect inside our instruments and need to be cleaned out.  By purchasing a simple kit (with brushes, lubricants, oils, etc) and doing a quick search on You Tube, you will have your instrument back in working order in to time!

Cleaning kits can be found at any music store both online or in person.

Tuning slide grease is similar to vaseline, but made up of a much thicker consistency.  By using tuning slide grease, brass players are 1) creating a seal between the slides so that air does not leak out of the instrument, 2) providing a barrier between the slides to prevent corrosion and seizure of the moving parts.

Recommended Tuning Slide Greases:  Hetman 8 Premium Slide Grease, Schilke Tuning Slide Grease.

Slide Creams and Lubricants help to keep a Trombone in good playing condition by providing a barrier against friction within the moving parts of the trombone slide.  Trombonists have the option of using a cream liquid lubricant.  It has been my experience that most younger students have an easier time with a liquid lubricant such as Slide-O-Mix.  A small spray bottle similar to one that can be found for $1 in most travel sections of the drug store is necessary as the water from the spray helps to "activate" the lubricant and keep it working until the next application.

Recommended Lubricants:  Slide-O-Mix Rapid Comfort (black tipped bottle, similar to the orginal formula, expect only one bottle, more managable for younger students), Superslick, Trombotine.

Similar to valve oil, this lubricant is necessary to keep the French Horn in good performance condition.  French Horn lubricants typically have a long needle-like applicator that help you apply the oil in tight hard to reach parts of the instrument.

Recommended Brand:  Hetman Lubricant #12

Valve oil is essential to keeping a brass instrument in good working order by providing lubrication for the pistons valves and casings.  Similar to your car engine, the oil allows for the pistons to move freely while also flushing away dirt and grime that accumulate over time.  A bottle should be in your students case at all times. 

Highly Recommended:  Al Cass "Fast", Blue Juice, Yamaha.

Clarinet, Saxohpone, Bass Clarinets:

The following items are general items that you will need in your case over the course of your musical education.  These items can be found at any music store either in person or online:

-Cork Grease: No specific brand requirement.  Although it appears like chap stick, it should never be applied to the lips.  Used to help protect the cork on woodwind instruments.  Should be in every case and used at least once a week if not everytime the instrument is played

-Reed Case (many versions avaliable, best to purchse one that holds at least four reeds.  This helps to protect your reeds, and also allows them to dry without warping.

-Mouthpiece Cushion

-Thumb rest (clarinet)

-Swab (used to clean out and dry the inside of woodwind instruments.  Helps to prevent the development of mold.

Flutes:

Cleaning Rod and swab

Reeds are the most essential supply for a Saxophone player as it is directly responsible for producing the characteristic tone of the instrument.  At the beginner level, students should be playing size 2 (4th Grade or Beginner 5th) to 2 1/2 strength reeds (5th Graders +).  As the student progresses into middle school and beyond they will explore higher strength reeds.  Students should have about 10 reeds and about 3-4 reeds in their case at all times. 

The reeds are fragile and tend to break easily, having extras on hand ensures that students will be able to participate in class without interruption.

Recommended Brands: Rico Royal (Blue Box, higher quality), Rico (Orange Box)

Reeds are the most essential supply for a Clarinet player as it is directly responsible for producing the characteristic tone of the instrument.  At the beginner level, students should be playing size 2 (4th Grade or Beginner 5th) to 2 1/2 strength reeds (5th Graders +).  As the student progresses into middle school and beyond they will explore higher strength reeds.  Students should have about 10 reeds and about 3-4 reeds in their case at all times. 

The reeds are fragile and tend to break easily, having extras on hand ensures that students will be able to participate in class without interruption.

Recommended Brands: Rico Royal (Blue Box, higher quality), Rico (Orange Box)

The bell kit is the primary instrument for the beginning percussionist.  As they develop their skills, they will progress to the infinite number of instruments and accessories that modern percussionts get to play.  However, to be a well rounded percussionist, they should have three things in their possession as they get older:  Drumsticks, Mallets, and a bag to carry them in.  Luckily many companies like Vic Firth, create an educational pack that is just perfrect for the beginning percussionist.  Link is provided below. 

If you are interested in purchasing the accessories separately please follow the recommeded brands below.

Recommended Brands:

Mallets:

Vic Virth or Mike Balter: search for plastic, soft plastic, or rubber

Drumsticks:

Vic Firth General SD, 5B, 5A (wood-tip, American Hickory)

Pro-Mark 5A, 5B (wood-tip, American Hickory)

Drum Pad:

Remo Practice Pad

Vic Firth Double Sided Practice Pad