Materials
Each instrument has specific supplies needed for students to be successful. Please see below for supplies by instrument
Flute
a tuning/cleaning rod
a bandana and a cleaning cloth
Oboe
at least 3 medium-soft or medium strength reeds (reeds will wear out and need to be replaced periodically)
a silk swab
cork grease
Clarinet
an upgrade to one of the following mouthpieces: Vandoren 5RV Lyre or Vandoren B45. This is highly recommended for our 7th & 8th grade students.
4 Vandoren or Mitchell Lurie strength 2 ½ reeds for 6th grade and strength 3 for 7th & 8th grade. Reeds will wear out and need to be replaced periodically. As the clarinetist develops they will also need a harder strength reed. LaVoz or Rico Royal reeds are also acceptable. As a general rule, buying the most cost-effective reeds will not provide you the best “bang-for-your-buck”.
a cotton or silk pull-through swab (not felt)
other cleaning supplies: mouthpiece brush, polishing cloth & cork grease
•a 4 reed capacity “Reed Guard”
Saxophone
an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Selmer C-star.
4 Vandoren strength 2 ½ reeds. Reeds will wear out and need to be replaced periodically. LaVoz, Mitchell Lurie, and Rico Royal are also acceptable. As a general rule, buying the most cost-effective reeds will not provide you the best “bang-for-your-buck”.
a cotton or silk pull-through swab (not felt)
other cleaning supplies – mouthpiece brush, polishing cloth & cork grease
a 4 reed capacity “Reed Guard”
Trumpet
an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Bach 5C or 7C. This may have come with your instrument if you’re renting to own or buying it new.
cleaning supplies: mouthpiece brush, snake brush, slide grease, brass polishing cloth.
valve oil
French Horn
an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Holton-Farkas medium cup.
rotary oil & spindle oil.
cleaning supplies: mouthpiece brush, snake brush, slide grease, & brass polishing cloth.
Trombone
an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Bach 6 ½ AL or Schilke 51D small shank
supplies including: super slick slide cream, water spray bottle, mouthpiece brush, snake brush, slide grease and polishing cloth.
Euphonium
an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Schilke 51D small shank mouthpiece.
Cleaning supplies: mouthpiece brush, snake brush, slide grease, & brass polishing cloth.
valve oil
Tuba
an upgrade to the following mouthpiece: Conn Helleberg standard tuba mouthpiece
rotary oil & valve oil.
cleaning supplies: mouthpiece brush, snake brush, slide grease, & brass polishing cloth.
Percussion
Vic Firth SD1 Drumsticks
Mike Balter Xylophone Mallets
Stick Bag
Please reach out for more advanced mallet recommendations.