Guide to a Quality Instrument

This is usually the hardest part.  You want to make sure that your son/daughter has a quality instrument.  I urge you to find a brand name for the type of instrument that I listed.  This is to ensure that if the need arises, we have someone that can repair the instrument.  There are some brand names that we cannot find anyone to repair.  I strongly urge you to not purchase an instrument from Amazon.com or Walmart.com as no one in our area will do a repair on those instruments.

 

I have very few instruments available to students to use from the Berwick Band Program.  I have trombones, French horns, baritone and tuba.  Any student wishing to play these instruments needs to just purchase a mouthpiece for that instrument.  Mouthpieces can be purchased from ANY source.

 

Method Books

This is what we will use for each student to have like a workbook.  The pages that we will use from this book will be provided for your student.

 

Flutes

Name brands to look for: Gemeinhardt, Artley, Selmer, Yamaha, or Prelude

Each flute should come in its own case with all the parts needed to play the instrument. 

 

Clarinet

Name brands to look for: Yamaha, Selmer, Mirage

Each Clarinet should come with a mouthpiece, ligature, and all parts of the instrument.  An additional purchase of reeds for this instrument will be a necessity.  You can buy these anywhere, including Amazon.com.  You should be looking for a Rico #2 or a Vandoren #2.

 

Alto Saxophone

Name Brands to look for: Yamaha, Etude

Each Saxophone should come with a mouthpiece, ligature, and all parts of the instrument.  An additional purchase of reeds for this instrument will be a necessity.  You can buy these anywhere, including Amazon.com.  You should be looking for a Rico #2 or a Vandoren #2.

 

Trumpet

Name Brands to look for: Yamaha, Etude, Bach

Each trumpet should come with a mouthpiece and the instrument inside the case.  No other items are required for this instrument.

 

 

 

French Horn

I have 2 of these available to use by new students.  This is done on a first-come-first serve basis.  There is no fee to use this instrument, the student will simply need to purchase mouthpiece to play this instrument.

 

Trombone

I have 2 of these available to use by new students.  This is done on a first-come-first serve basis.  There is no fee to use this instrument, the student will simply need to purchase mouthpiece to play this instrument.

 

Baritone

I have 1 of these available to use by new students. This is done on a first-come-first serve basis.  There is no fee to use this instrument, the student will simply need to purchase a mouthpiece to play this instrument.

 

Tuba

I have 1 of these available to use by new students. This is done on a first-come-first serve basis.  There is no fee to use this instrument, the student will simply need to purchase a mouthpiece to play this instrument.

 

Percussion (drums)

Students will need to purchase a pair of Vic Firth SD-1 General drum sticks and a practice pad that is comfortable for them to carry in a backpack.  The bell kit we will use will be provided in the band room.  They cannot be taken home to practice – BUT adequate time will be provided for them during class time to become proficient.

 

 

I know a lot of this can be very confusing.  I have put all this information on the BVES website for anyone to find also.  Click on Faculty on the top of the page, under the “M” look for me, Bonni McCarter…that’s me!  I have put it there to assist anyone with this process.  Please email me with any questions and I will try my best to give you any information that I can.  bmccarter@stmaryk12.net