Every student who participates in the band or orchestra at South Carroll High School must have a musical instrument and case.  Students will be expected to provide smaller, less expensive instruments, although the school does have some of these instruments that can be loaned to students when their own instrument is being repaired.

 

Some larger, more expensive instruments may be loaned from the school.  They are not always in the best condition, but are playable.  Students are responsible for the routine care and maintenance of loaned school instruments.  Repair costs incurred by student negligence will be the responsibility of the student.  Please understand that inventory is limited and available on a first-come basis.

 

It is very frustrating for students to attempt to play a poorly maintained instrument.  Therefore all students, including those using a school instrument, are responsible for providing some basic accessories to help keep their instruments in good playing condition.  Regular care and maintenance will greatly reduce the frequency and cost of repairs – these items quickly pay for themselves.

 

High school instrumentalists should also seriously consider purchasing an intermediate or professional quality instrument.  Upgrading to a better instrument is quite common, as beginner-quality instruments have some definite limitations.  Here are just a few reasons to consider upgrading:

• Higher quality materials, design and manufacturing standards improve instrument response, tone, and intonation (playing in tune)

• Advanced features, such as additional keys/mechanisms facilitate the performance of more challenging music

• Improved performance on a higher quality instrument provides positive feedback and builds student self-confidence

• Students often take more pride in their new, higher quality instrument and are more responsible with them

• The entire ensemble will sound better

 

Upgrading is a significant monetary investment in your child’s future music education and must be considered carefully before making any decisions.

 

Even if you choose not to invest in an intermediate or professional instrument, better quality accessories, such as mouthpieces, ligatures, bows, and reeds will facilitate your child’s musical achievement and enhance their musical experience.  If you are thinking about upgrading your child’s instrument and/or accessories, please consult Mr. Stevenson for input to help you choose the right equipment for your child’s present and future needs.  General recommendations are listed in the ‘Instruments and Accessories’ section.

 

Below, please find specific requirements for each instrument.  In addition to the items listed, it is also highly recommended that students have a folding music stand for home practice.

 

• VIOLIN/VIOLA

Recommended brands:  Glaesel, Knilling, Scherl & Roth  (Please remember that students are growing.  Students who currently play 1/2 or 3/4 size instruments may need to exchange them for larger ones in order to insure steady progress.  Playing on an instrument of the incorrect size can impede technical progress and may cause physical injury.)

 

Required accessories:  new strings (D’Addario Pro-Arte or private teacher recommendation), rosin, shoulder rest, chin rest, soft cloth for cleaning

 

Recommended accessories:  electric tuner or pitch pipe (for tuning at home)

 

 

• ‘CELLO/BASS

Recommended brands:  Glaesel, Knilling, Scherl & Roth, Engelhardt, Virtuoso  (Please remember that students are growing.  Students who currently play 1/2 or 3/4 size instruments may need to exchange them for larger ones in order to insure steady progress.  Playing on an instrument of the incorrect size can impede technical progress and may cause physical injury.)

 

Required accessories:  new strings (Cello – D’Addario Pro-Arte or private teacher recommendation; Bass – Pirastro Obligato or private teacher recommendation), rosin, rock stop, and soft cloth for cleaning

 

Recommended accessories:  electric tuner or pitch pipe (for tuning at home)

 

 

• FLUTE

Recommended brands:  Yamaha FYL462, Gemeinhardt 3SHB

 

Required accessories:  cleaning rod and soft cloth

 

Recommended accessories:  pad savers, polishing cloth

 

 

• OBOE

Recommended brands:  Yamaha YOB441, and various models by Fox or Renard

 

Required reeds:  Marlin Lesher Medium, handmade reeds  (no plastic/fiber reeds!)

 

Required accessories:  cork grease, silk swab (or feather), and reed case

 

Recommended accessories:  thumb cushion, polishing cloth

 

 

• BASSOON

Recommended brands:  various models by Fox or Renard

 

Required reeds:  Marlin Lesher Medium Forrest Medium, Jones Medium, handmade reeds  (no plastic/fiber reeds!)

 

Required accessories:  seat strap, crutch, swab, cork grease (or paraffin)

 

 

• CLARINET

Recommended brands:  Buffet E11 or E12, Selmer CL211, Yamaha YCL450

 

Required reeds:  Mitchell Lurie 3 or 31/2, Vandoren 21/2 or 3, Vandoren V12 31/2 if using a Vandoren M13 mouthpiece.  (Students must keep at least four good reeds in their cases at all times.  Please only purchase the brand and strength of reeds recommended by the director or private teacher.)

 

Required accessories:  mouthpiece cushion, reed guard (holds and protects 2 or 4 reeds, depending upon model), swab, cork grease, and mouthpiece cap

 

Recommended accessories:  Rovner Dark ligature, thumb cushion, mouthpiece brush, pad savers

 

Recommended mouthpieces:  Hite Premier (beginner) or Vandoren M13 (intermediate)

 

 

• BASS CLARINET

Recommended brands:  Vito 7168, Yamaha YCL221II, Selmer 1430LP

 

Required reeds:  Rico Royale or Vandoren 21/2 or 3  (Students must keep at least four good reeds in their cases at all times.  Please only purchase the brand and strength of reeds recommended by the director or private teacher.)

 

Required accessories:  reed guard (holds and protects 2 or 4 reeds, depending upon model), swab, cork grease, and mouthpiece cap

 

Recommended accessories:  Rovner Dark ligature, mouthpiece cushion, thumb cushion, mouthpiece brush, pad savers

 

Recommended mouthpieces:  Selmer C*

 

 

• SAXOPHONES

Recommended alto brands:  Yamaha YAS480

Recommended tenor brands:  Yamaha YTS480

Recommended baritone brands:  Yamaha YBS52

 

Required reeds:  La Voz Medium Hard, Hemke 3½  (Students must keep at least four good reeds in their cases at all times.  Please only purchase the brand and strength of reeds recommended by the director or private teacher.)

 

Required accessories:  neck strap, reed guard (holds and protects 2 or 4 reeds, depending upon model), swab, cork grease, and mouthpiece cap

 

Recommended accessories:  Rovner Dark ligature, mouthpiece cushion, mouthpiece brush, pad/neck savers

 

Recommended mouthpieces:  Vandoren AL3 (alto), Yamaha 4C (alto & tenor), Yamaha 5C (baritone)

 

 

• TRUMPET

Recommended brands:  Yamaha YTR4335GS, Bach TR200, various Bach Stradivarius models

 

Required mouthpiece:  Bach 7C, 5C, or 3C or equivalent  (Please consult director or private teacher for recommendation)

 

Required accessories:  valve oil (Al Cass is recommended), mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, and slide grease

 

Recommended accessories:  polishing cloth, valve cleaning rod, straight mute

 

 

• HORN

Recommended brands:  Holton H378, H379, or H177 double horns

 

Required mouthpiece:  Bach 11 or 7 or equivalent  (Please consult director or private teacher for recommendation)

 

Required accessories:  rotor oil, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, and slide grease

 

Recommended accessories:  polishing cloth

 

 

• TROMBONE

Recommended brands:  Yamaha YSL446G or YSL448G, Bach Stradivarius 36 or 42

 

Required mouthpiece:  Bach 61/2AL or equivalent

 

Required accessories:  Slide-O-Mix Rapid Comfort Trombone Lubricant (for main slide), mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, slide grease, rotary valve oil (for those with F attachment trombones)

 

Recommended accessories:  polishing cloth, straight mute

 

 

• EUPHONIUM

Recommended brands:  Yamaha YEP321

 

Required mouthpiece:  Bach 61/2AL or equivalent

 

Required accessories:  valve oil (Al Cass is recommended), mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, and slide grease

 

Recommended accessories:  polishing cloth, valve cleaning rod

 

 

• TUBA

Recommended brands:  Yamaha YBB321

 

Required mouthpiece:  Bach 22 or 18 or equivalent  (Please consult director or private teacher for recommendation)

 

Required accessories:  valve oil (Al Cass is recommended), mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, and slide grease

 

Recommended accessories:  polishing cloth, valve cleaning rod

 

 

• PERCUSSION

Recommended brands:  Ludwig, Pearl, or Yamaha drum pad (or snare drum) and a bell set/keyboard instrument.  (Students must own a practice pad, or snare drum, and bell set for home practice)

 

Required accessories:  All Percussionists are expected to perform on mallet instruments as well as snare and auxiliary percussion.  All percussionists must have a pair of snare drum sticks, a pair of keyboard mallets, and a stick bag for all classes.  It is recommended that percussionists use Vic Firth American Custom SD1 snare drum sticks, and Musser M14 (or equivalent) keyboard mallets.  Each stick and mallet should be marked with the student’s initials.  For safety reasons, drum sticks and mallets may not be carried around the school building unless they are secured in a stick bag.  The bag will also reduce the number of “lost” sticks.

 

Recommended accessories:  Xylophone mallets, Marimba mallets, Timpani mallets, Snare drum ‘brushes’

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