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BEGINNING BAND INSTRUMENT SELECTION

During the first several weeks of school, beginning band students will learn about all of the different instruments we have to choose from. They will also learn a lot of the general music skills needed before they even begin to play. After the students are well informed about all their choices, we will do our best to guide the students toward trying what instrument will best suit them. Sometimes this may be an instrument they have never considered or even heard of. So we ask that students have open minds and trust that we will do what we believe is in their best interest when we make recommendations. Students will be able to select from the following instruments: Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Tuba, and Percussion.

Many students come in to beginning band thinking that they want to play percussion. However, reality is that we will only start 10-12 beginning percussionists per year. There will be several prerequisites for students to play percussion. Students will need to bring in a copy of their previous year’s report card and have all A’s and B’s and have all O’s or E’s for citizenship. Prospective beginning band percussionists will also be required to have had prior piano experience and will be expected to demonstrate their reading and playing skills. Any students not able to meet these requirements must spend one year in our band program playing one of the wind instruments. They may begin playing percussion (with director approval) their second year of band.

OBTAINING INSTRUMENTS

Most students come to Fertitta’s Band with a personally owned or rented instrument. Most instruments cost in the $15-$20 range per month to “rent-to-own” (percussion kits are more like $40 per month). If the student is unable to rent, then we’ll have to suggest trying another instrument that we have available from the school. So if a student really wants to play clarinet and we don’t have any available, they’ll have to go to a music store to rent one (music store flyers will be sent home at a later date).
There are a limited number of school owned instruments that can be checked out from Fertitta Middle School for the year. These instruments mostly include the larger and more expensive equipment (i.e. Tubas, Baritones, Euphoniums, Bassoons, Oboes, and several others). There are also very few of the smaller instruments available typically for students that are on free or reduced lunch programs. Any student that checks out an instrument from Fertitta Middle School will be required to fill out an agreement contract (CCF-793) and pay the $50 cleaning fee for the year. Any other damage incurred will also be the student’s financial responsibility.

EQUIPMENT NEEDS

Students will be expected to purchase certain items that will help keep their instruments in proper working order. Below is a list of items that will be required for students to own. Most music stores offer some sort of cleaning kit. Check with the store you frequent most to find out more. All students must have a name tag on their case (or stick bag).

Flutes- cleaning cloth and a swab (or a ‘stuff-it’)

Clarinets/Saxes- at least 5 reeds at all times (prefer size 2.5, Vandoren is best but Rico Royal/Rico or LaVoz are also OK), reed guard, cork grease, swab (or ‘stuff-it’)

Trumpets/Horns- Valve oil, snake brush, polish cloth, B.E.R.P. (B.E.R.P.’s are optional for beginners but required for Intermediate and Varsity Bands)

Trombones- Slide cream, small spray water bottle, snake brush, polish cloth, B.E.R.P (B.E.R.P.’s are optional for beginners but required for Intermediate and Varsity Bands)

Baritones/Euphoniums/Tubas- Valve oil, Cleaning Brush, Polish cloth, B.E.R.P. (B.E.R.P.’s are optional for beginners but required for Intermediate and Varsity Bands)

Percussion- Beginning & Intermediate Band students: Bell Kit rented from store (for home practice), Vic Firth snare drum sticks, bell mallets, stick bag.
Wind Ensemble students: Stick bag, general timpani mallets, general snare drum sticks, acrylic xylophone mallets, medium-hard
yarn-wrapped mallets.

We will have a stick bag with snare sticks, xylophone mallets, and yarn wrapped mallets available for approximately $60 (about a $30 savings from the store).