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FLUTE
The Flute is the highest pitched instrument in the beginning band. The flute is made of silver or a silver-plated brass alloy and is played by blowing across an opening in one end while the fingers press keys to change notes. The piccolo, an even smaller version of the flute, is the highest pitched instrument in junior high band. The flute reads TREBLE CLEF and usually has the melody (lead part). We normally have between 15-25 students chosen to the play the flute in our 6th grade band! The majority of our flute players take private lessons although it is not required for this instrument. The flute is lightweight and can easily fit into any tote bag. The flute requires lots of air to play as there is no resistance (something you are blowing against). Instead you are blowing across something like a Coke-Cola bottle. The flute can play both low notes and high notes but specializes in the higher notes of the band. Click on the links below to watch some videos and see if the flute could be one of your top picks for band next year!
OBOE
The Oboe is similar in appearance to a clarinet, but it is played using a double reed instead of a single reed to produce its brilliant and distinct sound. The oboe is a special instrument, and only a select few students will be chosen to play it. The oboe reads TREBLE CLEF and usually has the melody (lead part). This instrument is highly selective as we normally have between 3-6 students chosen to the play the oboe each school year! Private Lessons are REQUIRED for ALL students who play the oboe. No exceptions to this rule. However, we do have scholarships available that make it extremely affordable. The oboe requires a double reed to play it. You will acquire these reeds from your private lesson teacher. The oboe is lightweight and fragile. The oboe has the most resistance of all the band instruments and therefore can play for log periods of time without taking a breath. The oboe can play both low notes and high notes and usually plays with the flutes in the band. Click on the links below to watch some videos and see if the oboe could be one of your top picks for band next year!
BASSOON
The Bassoon is also a double reed instrument. It is the lowest member of the woodwind family and has a very dignified and majestic sound.The bassoon is one of the most specialized instruments in the band, and like the oboe, only a few select students will be chosen to play it. We only select 4-7 students to play the bassoon in the 6th grade band each year and pick only the very best to play this instrument. The bassoon reads in BASS CLEF and can play both high and low notes. In band, they will specialize more in lower notes but in solos they will most likely play higher notes too. Private Lessons are REQUIRED for all bassoonists. No exceptions. We do offer scholarships to students who may need financial aid to help make this requirement possible to any student who is chosen for the Bassoon. Made of 5 pieces and a reed, the bassoon is very tall but doesn't require a tall student to play it. We do look for a natural overbite of the teeth and larger hands so that the student can reach all of the keys with ease. Click on the links below to watch some videos and see if the bassoon could be one of your top picks for band next year!
CLARINET
The clarinet produces a large, beautiful sound that ranges from very high to very low in pitch. The clarinet reads in TREBLE clef. Some advanced clarinet players will have the opportunity to play other types of clarinets, including the alto, bass, and contra-alto clarinets. This a very versatile instrument suited for a variety of people. We normally have between 15-25 students chosen to the play the clarinet in our 6th grade band! The majority of our clarinet players take private lessons although it is not required for this instrument. The clarinet is lightweight and can easily fit into any tote bag. The clarinet can play both melodies and harmonies, and they have a dark rich sound in their lower notes, while the upper part of the clarinet's range is bright and resonant. You play the clarinet by holding it upright, blowing through the reed, and using your hands to change the pitches by opening and closing the keys with your fingers. Click on the links below to watch some videos and see if the clarinet could be one of your top picks for band next year!
SAXOPHONE
The Saxophone is a woodwind instrument even though it is made of brass. Most people know the saxophone as they have heard it in jazz or rock music. The saxophone is a very versatile instrument and is also used in the concert band. We normally have between 8-12 students chosen to the play the saxophone in our 6th grade band! The majority of our saxophone players take private lessons although it is not required for this instrument. Some saxophone players will also have the opportunity to play tenor or baritone saxophones after the beginning year. Click on the links below to watch some videos and see if the saxophone could be one of your top picks for band next year!
TRUMPET
The Trumpet is the highest instrument of the brass family. It is recognized by its bright and clear sound. The trumpet is frequently used to play melody (lead part). The Trumpet reads in TREBLE clef. Like some of the other instruments in the band, the trumpet is also used in jazz and pop music. Similar to most brass instruments, the trumpet has only three valves. We normally have between 15-20 students chosen to the play the trumpet in our 6th grade band! The majority of our trumpet players take private lessons although it is not required for this instrument. Click on the links below to watch some videos and see if the trumpet could be one of your top picks for band next year!
FRENCH HORN
The French Horn is one of the most majestic and versatile instruments in the band. Recognized by its distinct coil shape, the french horn is one of the most commonly heard instruments in movie soundtracks, as it has the widest range of any brass instrument. Horn players must have a good ear for pitch. The French Horn reads in TREBLE clef. We normally have between 8-12 students chosen to the play the French Horn in our 6th grade band! Private Lessons are REQUIRED for all French Horn players. No exceptions. We do offer scholarships to students who may need financial aid to help make this requirement possible to any student who is chosen for the French Horn. Click on the links below to watch some videos and see if the French Horn could be one of your top picks for band next year!
TROMBONE
The Trombone, easily recognized by its long slide, is one of the most powerful instruments in the band. Playing primarily in the lower range of the band, the trombone is used both as a melodic and a supporting instrument. Trombones are used in virtually every type of music, including jazz, rock, and symphony orchestra. The Trombone reads in BASS clef. We normally have between 15-20 students chosen to the play the Trombone in our 6th grade band! The majority of our trombone players take private lessons although it is not required for this instrument. Click on the links below to watch some videos and see if the Trombone could be one of your top picks for band next year!
EUPHONIUM
The Euphonium, often referred to as the baritone, the euphonium is one of the richest sounds in the band. The euphonium plays in the same range as the trombone, but its winding cone-shaped tube gives it a much darker tone. Though originally designed as a harmony instrument, the euphonium has grown to become one of the most popular band instruments for solo playing in the most recent years. The Euphonium reads in BASS clef. We normally have between 8-12 students chosen to the play the Euphonium in our 6th grade band! The majority of our Euphonium players take private lessons although it is not required for this instrument. Click on the links below to watch some videos and see if the Euphonium could be one of your top picks for band next year!
TUBA
The Tuba is the most important instrument in the band. It is the largest and lowest of the wind instruments, and it produces the fundamental sound upon which all others are built. Despite its relatively large size, even the smallest students can easily handle the tuba with proper instruction. The Tuba reads in BASS clef. We normally have between 8-12 students chosen to the play the Tuba in our 6th grade band! The majority of our Tuba players take private lessons although it is not required for this instrument. Click on the links below to watch some videos and see if the Tuba could be one of your top picks for band next year!
PERCUSSION
Percussion is one of the most misunderstood sections of the band. Often referred to as the “drums”, this name is actually a very incomplete description of what is involved in playing percussion. Percussionists learn to play a number of instruments, including mallet instruments like bells and xylophone, battery percussion like the snare and bass drums, and accessory percussion instruments like the tambourine and triangle. Percussion reads in TREBLE and BASS clef. We normally have between 8-12 students chosen to be in the percussion section in our 6th grade band! The majority of our percussionist take private lessons although it is not required for this instrument. Click on the links below to watch some videos and see if the percussion section could be one of your top picks for band next year!
