Recommended instruments and accessories for beginners

 The following instrument brands are recommended for their musical quality and durability.  There are many brands on the market, and they are not all equal quality.  I strongly suggest that you stay with the following recommended brands if at all possible.

 Flute:  Yamaha or Gemeinhardt.  Accessories needed:  100% cotton handkerchief to clean the inside.

 Oboe:  Selmer plastic model is OK for beginners, but a wooden model has a better tone.  Accessories needed:  3 medium soft reeds and a plastic reed case.  3 reeds which are protected and taken care of will last about 6 weeks before they will need to be replaced.

 Clarinet:  LeBlanc Noblet 40.  Vandoren B45 mouthpiece. Avoid plastic clarinets; a wooden body gives the richest sound.  Accessories needed:  At least 4 Mitchell Lurie 3 reeds and a Vandoren reed guard. 4 reeds that are properly taken care of will last about a month.  A 100% cotton cleaning swab and cork grease will keep the joints from sticking.

 Alto/Tenor Saxophone:  Yamaha.  Selmer C* mouthpiece.  Accessories needed:  4 Vandoren #2-1/2 reeds and a Vandoren reed guard to store, protect, and prevent the reeds from warping.  4 reeds that are properly taken care of will last about a month.  Also cork grease and a neck strap.

 Trumpet:  Yamaha.  Bach 5C mouthpiece.  Accessories needed:  Valve oil, slide grease, polishing cloth, mouthpiece brush and a cleaning snake.

 French horn:  Any double French horn.  Giardinelli C10 mouthpiece.   Accessories needed:  Rotary valve oil, slide grease, polishing cloth, mouthpiece brush and a cleaning snake.

 Trombone:  Yamaha. Bach 5GS \mouthpiece.  Accessories needed:  Slide oil, slide grease, polishing cloth, mouthpiece brush and a cleaning snake.

 Percussion:  Percussion kit with practice pad and stand, a bell kit with mallets, snare drum, Promark 2B sticks with wooden tips and a stick bag.

 SCHOOL OWNED INSTRUMENTS are available on a limited basis.  These instruments require separate rental fees for the summer and for the school year to cover routine maintenance. 

Oboe and Bassoon:  3 medium soft reeds and a plastic reed case.  3 reeds which are protected and taken care of will last about 6 weeks before they will need to be replaced.

French horn:  Giardinelli C10mouthpiece, rotary valve oil, slide grease, polishing cloth, mouthpiece brush and a cleaning snake.

Baritone/Euphonium Bach 5GS or Schilke 51D mouthpiece, valve oil, slide grease, polishing cloth, mouthpiece brush and a cleaning snake.

Tuba:  Bach 18 mouthpiece, valve oil, slide grease, polishing cloth, mouthpiece brush and a cleaning snake.