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FLUTE
The flute is a popular choice for many beginning band students—and for good reason! It’s the highest-pitched instrument in the beginning band and often plays the melody, or main tune, in the music.
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For Students:
If you're drawn to a light, bright sound and enjoy being a lead player, the flute might be a great fit! Flutes are made of shiny metal and are played by blowing across a small opening, similar to blowing across the top of a soda bottle. You’ll use your fingers to press keys that change the notes. Flutes are lightweight, easy to carry, and fit nicely into a backpack or tote bag. They can play both high and low notes, but they really shine in the upper range.
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For Parents:
The flute is a great beginner instrument for students who are detail-oriented and enjoy a challenge. It requires a strong air stream and good breath control, but with regular practice, students can make quick progress. Most flute players read treble clef music and tend to pick up melodies early on. Private lessons are encouraged, especially for students who want to advance more quickly.
We typically have 15–25 flute players in our 6th-grade band, and it continues to be one of our most popular instruments year after year.
Want to hear the flute in action?
Click the links to watch some fun and inspiring flute performances. It might just be your (or your child’s) perfect match for band next year!
OBOE
The oboe is a unique and special instrument in the band—and one of the most distinctive-sounding, too! It may look a bit like a clarinet, but the oboe uses a double reed (two thin pieces of cane tied together) to create its bright, rich tone.
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For Students:
If you like the idea of standing out with a one-of-a-kind sound and playing the melody like the flute, the oboe could be a great fit! Oboes are lightweight but fragile, so they require careful handling. They play in the treble clef, and their sound blends beautifully with the flutes. The oboe can play both high and low notes and is known for its ability to hold long phrases without needing frequent breaths, thanks to its high resistance.
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For Parents:
The oboe is a highly selective instrument in our band program. Only 3 to 6 students are chosen each year to ensure proper instruction and support. Because of the complexity and cost of maintaining double reeds and the technique involved, private lessons are required for all oboe players. Fortunately, we offer scholarships to make these lessons very affordable and accessible.
Students will receive reeds directly from their private lesson teacher, ensuring quality and consistency. While the oboe requires dedication and attention to detail, it offers a deeply rewarding musical experience and often opens doors to advanced musical opportunities in later years.
Want to hear the oboe's beautiful sound?
Click the links below to watch videos and see if the oboe might be the perfect fit for your musical journey in 6th grade band!
BASSOON
The bassoon is one of the most unique and important instruments in the band! It’s the lowest-sounding woodwind, with a deep, warm, and majestic tone that adds richness to the band’s sound. Though it’s large in size, it doesn’t take a tall student to play it—just someone with curiosity, dedication, and a good sense of rhythm!
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For Students:
The bassoon is played using a double reed, just like the oboe. It’s made up of five separate pieces, plus the reed, and stands out with its tall and twisty shape. In band music, you’ll mostly play lower notes that support the group, but in solos, you might also get to explore its surprisingly high range. The bassoon reads bass clef music and blends well with low brass and other woodwinds.
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For Parents:
We usually select only 4 to 7 students each year to learn the bassoon, so it’s considered one of our most specialized instruments. Because of the instrument’s complexity and the specialized technique required, private lessons are required for all bassoonists. However, we are proud to offer scholarships and financial aid to any student chosen to play the bassoon, making private instruction accessible and affordable.
Ideal bassoon students typically have larger hands (to comfortably reach the keys) and a natural overbite, which helps with forming the correct embouchure (mouth position). Your child doesn’t need to be tall—just motivated and ready to take on a fun musical challenge.
Curious about the sound of the bassoon?
Click the links to see videos and hear this amazing instrument in action. The bassoon just might be your (or your child’s) perfect match for 6th grade band!
CLARINET
The clarinet is one of the most popular and versatile instruments in beginning band. It has a wide range of sound, from rich, low notes to bright, high melodies—making it a great fit for many different types of music and personalities!
For Students:
The clarinet is held upright and played by blowing through a single reed while your fingers press keys to change notes. It reads music in treble clef and can play both melodies and harmonies, so clarinets are often found right in the middle of the band’s sound.
One of the coolest things about the clarinet is its range—the lower notes sound warm and dark, while the upper notes are clear and bright. It's also lightweight and easy to carry in a backpack or tote bag.
As students advance, they may even have the opportunity to try out larger clarinets like the alto, bass, or contra-alto clarinet, which add even more depth to the band!
For Parents:
The clarinet is a strong choice for many beginning musicians due to its balanced blend of challenge and accessibility. We typically select 15–25 clarinet players each year. Private lessons are encouraged to help students progress faster.
Clarinet students develop strong musical fundamentals that transfer well to other instruments and provide many future performance opportunities as they grow.
Want to hear the clarinet in action?
Click the links below to watch some videos and see if the clarinet could be the perfect choice for your child in 6th grade band!
SAXOPHONE
The saxophone is one of the most well-known instruments—thanks to its smooth, powerful sound in jazz, rock, and pop music—but it’s also a very important part of the concert band!
Even though it’s made of brass, the saxophone is actually a woodwind instrument because it uses a single reed to make sound, just like a clarinet. It's fun to play, easy to recognize, and has a bold sound that stands out in any group.
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For Students:
The saxophone is great if you want to be part of the melody or add a strong voice to the band’s harmonies. It plays in the treble clef and has a rich, full tone that’s exciting to learn and play. The saxophone is also a gateway to cool musical styles—jazz, blues, rock, and more!
Most students start on the alto saxophone, but as you grow and improve, you may get the chance to try the tenor or baritone saxophone in later years.
For Parents:
We usually select 8–12 saxophone players each year for our 6th grade band. The saxophone is a great fit for students who enjoy being expressive and want to explore both classical and modern music styles. Private lessons are encouraged, and many saxophonists do take lessons to help with technique and tone development.
The saxophone’s size and weight are manageable for most 6th graders, and it offers a smooth introduction to both band and jazz music programs down the line.
Want to hear what the saxophone can do?
Click the links to watch videos and see if this bold and exciting instrument could be the right choice for your band journey!
TRUMPET
The trumpet is the highest-pitched instrument in the brass family and is known for its bright, clear, and powerful sound. It often plays the melody (the main tune) in band music and is a favorite for students who like to stand out and lead.
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For Students:
If you're looking for an instrument that gets noticed and plays exciting parts, the trumpet might be your perfect fit! Trumpets have only three valves, and players use their lip buzz (embouchure) and air control to change notes. It may sound simple, but it takes skill to master!
The trumpet plays in treble clef and is used in concert band, jazz, and even pop music, so there are lots of ways to explore different styles as you grow as a musician.
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For Parents:
We usually select 15–20 trumpet players each year. The trumpet is a great match for students who are confident, motivated, and enjoy a challenge. It builds strong breath support and coordination, and players often grow into leadership roles in future ensembles.
Private lessons are encouraged, and many students choose them to improve tone and technique. The trumpet is lightweight, durable, and an excellent first brass instrument that opens the door to many musical opportunities down the road.
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Want to hear the trumpet’s bold sound?
Click the links to watch videos and find out if the trumpet could be your (or your child’s) top choice for 6th grade band!
FRENCH HORN
The French Horn is one of the most majestic and versatile instruments in the band. With its smooth, rich tone and wide range, it's no surprise that the French horn is one of the most commonly heard instruments in movie soundtracks—from adventure scenes to emotional moments, it adds depth and drama like no other.
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For Students:
The French horn is known for its distinct circular shape and mellow, beautiful sound. It plays in treble clef and is a member of the brass family, like the trumpet and trombone. It has the widest range of all the brass instruments and often plays both melodies and harmonies.
Playing the horn takes a great ear for pitch, and students who are focused, musical, and enjoy a challenge often excel on this instrument.
For Parents:
We typically select 8–12 students to play French horn in the 6th grade band. Due to the instrument’s complexity—especially the need for precise pitch control—private lessons are encouraged for all horn players. However, we are proud to offer scholarships and financial aid to ensure every selected student can access high-quality instruction.
French horn students gain strong musical ears, develop solid brass technique, and are often in high demand in school bands, orchestras, and honor ensembles in later years.
Want to hear the horn’s cinematic sound?
Click the links to watch videos and see if the French horn could be your (or your child’s) top pick for 6th grade band!
The trombone is one of the most powerful and unique instruments in the band—and it’s the only one played with a slide instead of valves! Its bold, rich
sound makes it a standout in both melodies and harmonies, especially in the lower range of the band.
For Students:
If you're interested in an instrument that's fun, strong, and a little different, the trombone could be a great fit! You’ll use your slide to change notes, which helps develop a great musical ear and good control. The trombone plays in bass clef, and it’s used in all kinds of music—concert band, jazz, rock, and even symphony orchestra.
Whether you're leading with a solo or supporting the band with deep harmonies, the trombone is always a key part of the group’s sound.
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For Parents:
We typically select 15–20 trombone players each year. The trombone is excellent for students with a good sense of pitch, coordination, and attention to detail. It offers a strong foundation in rhythm, tone, and breath support.
While private lessons are encouraged, especially to help students with slide accuracy and tone development, they are not required for this instrument. The trombone is also durable, affordable, and a smart long-term choice for students interested in both classical and contemporary music.
Want to hear the trombone in action?
Click the links to watch videos and see if the trombone could be your (or your child’s) perfect pick for 6th grade band!
TROMBONE
EUPHONIUM
The euphonium (sometimes called the baritone) is one of the most beautiful and rich-sounding instruments in the band. With its deep, warm tone, the euphonium plays in the same range as the trombone, but its cone-shaped tubing gives it a darker, smoother sound that really stands out.
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For Students:
If you like the idea of playing an instrument that’s powerful but also smooth and expressive, the euphonium might be a perfect fit! It reads bass clef and is played using valves, just like a trumpet or tuba. Originally used mainly for harmony, the euphonium is now one of the most popular solo instruments in modern band music.
You’ll often play a supportive role in the band’s sound, but you’ll also get chances to shine with melodies and solos.
For Parents:
We typically select 8–12 euphonium players each year. The euphonium is a great option for students who want the strength of a low brass instrument, but with a more lyrical, melodic voice. It helps build strong breath support, good tone control, and a solid musical foundation.
Private lessons are encouraged but not required, and many students take them to develop their sound and reading skills. The euphonium is an excellent long-term instrument, with opportunities in concert band, marching band, and honor groups as students advance.
Want to hear the euphonium’s rich sound?
Click the links to watch videos and see if the euphonium could be your (or your child’s) top pick for 6th grade band!
TUBA
The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched wind instrument in the band—and it’s absolutely essential! The tuba provides the deep, strong foundation that supports all the other instruments, helping the band sound full and balanced.
For Students:
Even though the tuba is big, many smaller students can play it comfortably with the right instruction and practice. It reads music in bass clef and uses valves to change notes. Playing the tuba helps build strong breath control and teaches you how important the low sounds are in any kind of music.
You’ll be a key player, helping to hold the band together with your powerful and rich tones!
For Parents:
We typically select 8–12 tuba players each year. The tuba is a fantastic choice for students who want to play a big role in the band’s sound and enjoy making deep, resonant music. Private lessons are encouraged to develop strong technique and tone.
The tuba offers a great introduction to brass instruments and provides many future opportunities in band, orchestra, and other music groups.
Want to hear the tuba in action?
Click the links below to watch videos and see if the tuba could be the perfect fit for your child in 6th grade band!
PERCUSSION
Percussion is one of the most exciting—and sometimes misunderstood—sections of the band. While many people think of percussion as just “drums,” percussionists actually learn to play a wide variety of instruments!
For Students:
You’ll get to play mallet instruments like bells and xylophones, battery percussion like snare drums and bass drums, and accessory instruments such as tambourines, triangles, and more. Percussionists help keep the beat, add rhythm, and bring energy and color to every song.
Percussion music is unique because it’s written in both treble and bass clef, so you’ll get to read music for different types of instruments.
For Parents:
We usually select 8–12 percussionists for the 6th grade band each year. Percussion is a great choice for students who enjoy being active, have good rhythm, and like playing different instruments. Private lessons are encouraged to develop skills and techniques.
Percussion players are an important part of every band and often get opportunities to play in concerts, jazz bands, and marching bands as they grow.
Want to see percussion in action?
Click the links to watch videos and find out if percussion could be the perfect fit for your child’s 6th grade band experience!
