In addition to having your instrument and music for each class, the following items are required for all curricular band students:
Metronome.
For all assigned digital recording assignments and video testing, students will be instructed to
prepare and perform the scales or musical excerpts at a specified speed. This requires the use of a
metronome. This item should be a standard practice tool used all of the time. A credit card size
metronome, such as the Seiko Model DM-20 is fine. It normally sells for about $25.
Instruments and Supplies.
Instruments must be in good playing condition. Brass players must have mouthpiece, mute(s) when
needed, valve oil and pencils. Brass players
requiring mutes should have those mutes in every rehearsal. Mutes should be purchased and stored in
instrument lockers so that they are available when needed.
Woodwind players must have playable reeds, mouthpiece, ligature, and
pencils. Not having a reed is not an acceptable excuse for not participating. Buying reeds by the
box is a better choice economically and a fresh box should be purchased before getting to the last
one in the box.
Percussionists will be required to provide their own stick bag stocked with necessary sticks,
mallets, beaters, tuning fork, etc. Every attempt will be made to rotate part assignments in concert
preparation. We don't have "drummers" and "mallet players." All percussionists are "total
percussionists" learning the skills to play all instruments in the section. The prescribed list of
items to be stocked in the stick bag will be distributed. Just like all other instruments in the
band, percussionists should use their own sticks and mallets so as to become familiar with the
consistent feel of their equipment. Sharing is not appropriate.
Suggested sticks and mallets to have on hand:
- SD1 General Concert Snare Drum Sticks (1 pair)
- General Timpani Mallets (1 pair)
- Medium-Hard Yarn Marimba Mallets (1 or 2 pair)
- Medium-Hard Xylophone Mallets (1 pair)
- Stick bag
This list is by no-means comprehensive, but serves as a starting point of materials for all percussionists. A short list of recommended brands include: Innovative Percussion, Vic Firth, Promark, Mike Balter, etc.
