BAND EQUIPMENT & SUPPLY LIST
Parents are responsible in providing their student with an instrument, books and accessories needed in order to participate in the instrumental music program in District 97. Students that qualify for the federally reduced lunch program may receive assistance through one of our community organizations, PING (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation), for a nominal fee. For more information about the
6th Grade Required Books:
Standards of Excellence Book I (for review)
Standard of Excellence Book 2
Alfred Music Theory – Book 1
7th & 8th Grade Required Books:
Standards of Excellence Book 3
Alfred Music Theory – Book 2
Refer to music vendors on the last page for book purchases. BRAVO! does not pre-order books.
All band students are required to have a 3-ring binder,
Flutes: A cleaning/tuning rod with a small handkerchief. Polishing cloth for outside
finish. Optical size screw driver for adjusting loose screws.
medium or medium hard (7th/8th graders). Optical size screw driver for adjusting
loose screws. Small pipe cleaner for cleaning ½ hole vents (optional). A good
quality store bought reed is Jones reeds; if you are studying privately, talk with
your private instructor for suggestions.
Clarinets: A clarinet swab, reeds: 2 ½ (6th graders) 2 ½ or 3 (7th/8th graders). I
recommend Rico Royals, Mitchell Lurie or Vandoren Reeds. If purchasing Vandorens please be aware that you might want a lower number reed because they are much denser than other brands. A reed holder/protector that holds 4 reeds for proper storage. All students should have 4 playable reeds at all times. An optical size screw driver for adjusting loose screws. Bass clarinet students must purchase their own mouthpiece with ligature and cap. (Recommend Yamaha Stock)
Saxophones: A neckstrap, a saxophone swab, reeds: 2 ½ (6th graders) 2 ½ or 3 (7th/8th
graders). I recommend Rico Royals or Vandoren Reeds. If purchasing
Vandorens please be aware that you might want a lower number reed because they are much denser than other brands. A reed holder/protector that holds 4 reeds for proper storage. All students are required to have 4 playable reeds at all times. An optical size screw driver for adjusting loose screws. Tenor and baritone saxophones must purchase their own mouthpiece with ligature and cap. (Recommend Yamaha
Trumpets: Valve oil (Alcass), slide grease, trumpet snakes for periodic cleaning,
mouthpiece brush. A straight mute (stone-line brand most affordable) to be used
periodically in performance.
French Horn: Rotary Valve Oil, slide grease, French horn snakes for periodic cleaning,
mouthpiece brush.
Trombone: Superslick or trombotine slide grease, tuning slide grease, trombone snake,
mouthpiece brush. A straight mute (stone-line brand most affordable)
Baritone/Euphonium: Valve Oil (Alcass), slide grease, baritone snakes for periodic
cleaning, mouthpiece brush. All students must have their own mouthpiece
with a mouthpiece pouch to protect it. Each student should have a euphonium at home as a practice instrument. Recommend Bach 6 ½
Tubas: Valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece brush. All students must have their own
mouthpiece with a mouthpiece pouch to protect it. Each student should have
a euphonium or tuba at home as a practice instrument. Recommend Bach 12
for mouthpieces.
Percussion: Stick bag, snare drum sticks (Vic Firth SD1 or standard 2B), Bell Mallets
(plastic heads), Timpani Mallets (Vic Firth Generals) and medium yarn mallets. Some companies do sell a complete percussion bag full of these items at a reasonable price.
All percussionists are required to have a percussion kit with bells and practice pad for at home practice.
Optional Accessories for everyone!
Electronic Metronome: Used for providing a steady rhythmic pulse and is good for
developing accurate technique.
Tuner: Important tool to help students play in tune and develop good intonation skills.
This is highly recommended for double reed students.
Jazz Program
All students are required to have a copy of Essential Elements for Jazz Ensemble, by Mike Steinel. This book is the primary book for 6th graders and will be used continually for improvisation study throughout the jazz program.
Guitar/Bass: patch chords ( 2 recommended ), extra set of strings, electronic tuner.
Drumset: a pair of 5A or 7A sticks, a set of wire brushes.
Vibraphones: 2 pairs of chord mallets (med.)
Instrument Rentals & Purchases
It is extremely important when you make a decision to purchase an instrument that you speak to either your child’s band director or private instructor. We want you to invest in a high quality instrument that will perform well for your child and will stand the test of time. We recommend that you do not purchase instruments from internet sites, at garage sales or at non-music retail outlets such as warehouse clubs, without speaking to a band director first. What may look like a good instrument and a good deal can really be an instrument with many flaws. Please consider the following recommendations when renting or purchasing a quality student instrument.
Flute/Piccolo: Gemeinhardt, Armstrong, Yamaha
Oboe: Selmer, Yamaha, Buffet
Clarinet: Vito, Selmer, LeBlanc, Buffet, Yamaha
Saxophone:
Trumpet: Bach, Holton, Yamaha, Getzen, Jupiter
French Horn:
Trombone: Bach, Yamaha or King,
Euphonium/Tuba: King, Bach, Holton, Jupiter, Yamaha
Percussion: Ludwig, Yamaha Percussion Kits, Drumset: Ludwig,
Please contact your band director or private instructor when deciding to purchase a step up or professional level instrument for further recommendations.
Local Music Vendors
708/ 383-1961 630/447-0426
www.austinmusiccenter.net www.bandsourcecompany.com
Kagan & Gaines Music
708/771-2152 630/258-1485
www.kaganandgaines.com www.musicarts.com
Quinlin & Fabish Music Woodwind & Brasswind (online)
630/654-4111 800/348-5003
www.qandf.com www.wwbw.com
ONLINE SHEET MUSIC/BOOKS
J.W. Pepper Music Company
www.jwpepper.com
Prima Music Company
www.primamusic.com
GBMS does not carry accessories such as valve oil, slide grease, reeds, sticks, etc. and it is the responsibility of the student and their parents to purchase these items.
INSTRUMENT REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE
Students and their families are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of their instruments and should have any repairs taken care of in a timely manner. In the case that an instrument may have some problems it is the responsibility of the student to inform the band director and he/she will take a look at it and if possible fix the problem.
If the repair requires taking it to a certified repair shop (music store), the band director will write a repair slip describing what the problem may be and what he/she tried to do in order to try to fix the problem. This will help both parents and the repair technician know what to look for and will help speed up the repair process.
Parents are responsible for taking the instrument in for repairs. If a student is renting an instrument from our district’s main supplier (
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