Dear Parent/Guardian,
Congratulations! Your child was selected to play an instrument in the beginning band this September.
In addition to being sent home previously, this letter also includes a list of supplies that your child will need for his/her first lesson in September. It is best to begin looking for an instrument soon. Music shop supplies and instruments may run low, or run out during the Labor Day rush. If you already own your selected instrument, please plan to have a cleaning / check up done before school starts.
It will be hard to resist, but students should refrain from playing their instruments until they have their first lesson. They will be taught how to properly assemble it and make a correct sound. These instruments may be quite fragile, and have small parts that can be bent, broken, or lost. Any student would be disappointed to come to his/her first lesson
only to find out that their new instrument will need to spend a week at the repair shop.
What follows is a list of supplies that your child will need for his/her first lesson. Please label your child’s instrument case and book cover with their full name and school. All students will need a folder for their book/sheet music, and pencils. A music stand for home practice is strongly encouraged.
The required book for all students is “Essential Elements for Band – Book 1,” published by Hal Leonard. (Photo of the book’s cover on the next page).
● Flute: Cleaning rod and cloth
● Clarinet: 2 1⁄2 strength reeds for B-flat clarinet – Rico or Vandoren brand
– Always have three working reeds in your case. A box of 10 may be more
economical than separate reeds.
– Thumb rest cushion (optional)
– cleaning swab, cork grease, mouthpiece brush.
– I do not recommend the cleaning swabs that stay in the clarinet. (It looks
like a big pipe cleaner.) They hold moisture in, which damages the key
pads.
● Saxophone: 2 1⁄2 strength reeds for E-flat Alto Sax – Rico or Vandoren brand
– Always have three working reeds in your case. A box of 10 may be more
economical than separate reeds
– Cleaning swab, cork grease, mouthpiece brush
– Neck strap – The padded ones like “Neotech” are much more
comfortable (highly recommended)
– I do not recommend the cleaning swab that stays in the saxophone. (It
looks like a big pipe cleaner.) They hold moisture in, which damages the
key pads.
● Trumpet: Valve oil, mouthpiece brush, and cleaning cloth.
● French Horn: Rotary valve oil, mouthpiece brush, and cleaning cloth.
● Trombone: Slide-O-Mix slide lubricant (black cap).
– Small water spray bottle, cleaning cloth, and mouthpiece brush.
● Euphonium: Select the Essential Elements book for “Baritone B.C.”
– Valve oil, cleaning cloth, and mouthpiece brush.
● Tuba: Valve oil, cleaning cloth, and mouthpiece brush.
● Percussion: Kit including bells (glockenspiel), and drum pad.
– Drum sticks (size 5A recommended, all wood), and bell mallets.
– Stick bag with name tag
– Swabs and brushes are necessary to keep mouthpieces and instruments clean, and in good working condition.
– I do not recommend the “care kits” that are packaged at some stores. They tend to include items that the students don’t need.
Most students will be renting their instruments. You may rent from anywhere you choose, but this is a list of local music shops below for your convenience.
Local Music Stores for Rentals and Accessories (in alphabetical order):
● Alto Music, Middletown, (845) 692-6922, www.altomusic.com
● Music & Arts, Monroe, (845) 395-9390 https://www.musicarts.com/rentals – Ships rental to home or school.
● Paul Effman Music, Lagrangeville, (845) 452-8528 https://retail.pemusic.com/
● Jacob’s Music, Highland, (845) 691-2701 https://jacobsmusiccenter.com/
● Sweetwater (online – Fort Wayne, IN) (800) 222-4700 https://www.sweetwater.com/
In the case that you decide to rent or purchase an instrument for your child, we want to help you make an informed decision. While you are free to choose any brand, based on our experience, we have found the following brands to be reliable and of high quality: Amati, Armstrong, Artley, Blessing, Boosey & Hawkes, Buffet, Bundy, Besson, Conn, Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Getzen, Giardinelli, Holton, Jupiter, King, Ludwig, Olds, Pearl, Selmer, Vito,
and Yamaha. Please be aware that some low-cost instrument brands may hinder student progress due to difficulties in playability or durability.
If you decide to purchase an instrument, please consult with your band teacher to make sure your money is well spent on a quality instrument. There are some instruments for sale that are attractively packaged, and seemingly inexpensive. However, when the first repairs are needed, you may find that the repair shops won’t touch them. Used instruments are also an option, and are sometimes available for a reasonable price. Please ask your band teacher for
guidance prior to purchasing.
More information will go home in September, including a lesson schedule and band handbook. Please have your child’s materials ready for the first full week of school.
We are looking forward to having your child in Band next year and hope he/she is excited! Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Have a great summer!
Brian Ackley Deborah Simons
East Coldenham and Walden Berea and Montgomery
Elementary Band Director Elementary Band Director
brian.ackley@vcsdny.org deborah.simons@vcsdny.org