The time to be matched with your instrument is here!
Each student and at least one parent will meet for a time to try instruments with a band director. Appointments are March 14 & 15 at Traughber. If students have a conflict with these dates a second round of May appointments will be available but open spots in all instrument classes is not guaranteed at the later date.
Make an appointment at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054EABAA2AA7FA7-54854467-2025
Instrument Selection
Students will try all instruments and a final selection will be made with the assistance of an instructor.
Our goal for the individual student~
Match each student with an instrument on which they will be successful!
Our goal for the entire group~
Develop a balanced instrumentation so that students have a good “band” experience.
How is an instrument selected?
Every student has an individual appointment!Every student has strengths which match an instrument.
Factors that help determine instrument selection~
- Elementary School Music Teacher Recommendations, Standardized Test Results and Assessments.
- Student’s level of interest and commitment to improve.
- Student’s quality of school work.
- Student’s personal habits-organization, neatness, patience, etc.
- Physical characteristics.
- Ability to produce a quality sound on the instrument.
- Interest in taking private lessons.
Instruments We Start in 6th Grade
Flute
The flute is the smallest of the beginner instruments. It is a very popular selection each year, but only a small portion of those wishing to play flute will be selected.
Physical Characteristics: Flute players should have a slight “frown” to the upper lip with NO tear drop shape in the middle. Flute tones are produced by being able to focus an extremely small air stream to an exact location on the tone hole. The tear-drop-shaped lip will make it difficult to direct the air so precisely. Flute players should also have agile fingers for moving this multi-keyed instrument through a fast musical passage. Students with extreme overbites (receded jaw) should avoid choosing flute as this makes it difficult to produce quality sounds.
Other Considerations: Students with double-jointed fingers should avoid selecting flute as double-jointed-ness can cause lack of agility in the fingers.
20 students will be selected for FLUTE.
FLUTE PERSONALITY: Conscientious
Clarinet
The clarinet uses a “single reed” and a mouthpiece to produce the sound. Willingness to purchase or rent a director-recommended clarinet is a MUST! Unfortunately, there are some clarinets on the market whose poor design and craftsmanship will make it next to impossible for your student to succeed. We can help you avoid that pitfall.
Physical Characteristics: One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin flat. Orthodontia is okay, but if a student has an extremely rounded bottom row of teeth, the mouthpiece will be hard to place in the proper position for tone production.
Other Considerations: Instruction in clarinet can be meticulous. Students who are able to focus on and perform a detailed series of instructions could do well on clarinet. Students who have difficulty remembering a series of instructions should avoid playing clarinet. Clarinet players are also responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds.
35-50 students will be selected for CLARINET
CLARINET PERSONALITY: Focused
Saxophone
The alto saxophone gives the impression of being both a brass AND woodwind instrument, however it is indeed considered a woodwind instrument. The alto saxophone (which uses a single reed like the clarinet) is a very popular instrument like flute and only a few students will be chosen to play it.
Physical Characteristics: Since the balance of the saxophone is maintained by the use of a neck strap, it is extremely important that students be able to sit up completely straight when asked to.
Other Considerations: Saxophone players are responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds. Alto Saxophone students will have the opportunity after their first year of instruction to audition for Tenor Sax or Baritone Sax (based on their proven musical and behavioral abilities while in alto saxophone class).
10 students will be selected for SAXOPHONE
SAXOPHONE PERSONALITY: Mellow
Cornet / Trumpet
The cornet / trumpet is the smallest member of the brass family. The sound on cornet / trumpet is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece. Students who choose and are selected to play cornet / trumpet will begin on a cornet (smaller in size) and “graduate” into a trumpet upon the completion of a battery of playing exams.
Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome at first to a cornet / trumpet player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on cornet / trumpet. Cornet / trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes.
Other Considerations: Cornet / trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable) part, therefore students who choose and are selected for cornet / trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.
35-40 students will be selected for TRUMPET
TRUMPET PERSONALITY: Confident
Trombone
Trombone players should have good “musical ears”. The trombone is played like the other brass instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped mouthpiece), but uses a slide instead of valves. The slide is not marked or notched and players rely on their memory and hearing to tell if they are in the EXACT proper location. Students with good musical ears (such as Honor Choir students) should consider Trombone.
Physical Characteristics: While some might think that trombone players must have long arms, the truth is there are numerous accommodations that make it possible for students of all shapes and sizes to play. A slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme underbite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average.
Other Considerations: Great trombone playing takes good concentration and study. Many quiet academicians have excelled at trombone.
15-20 students will be selected for TROMBONE
TROMBONE PERSONALITY: Analytical
Euphonium
The euphonium (you-PHONE-knee-yum) is sometimes known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide (like trombone).
Physical Characteristics: Euphonium players should have moderately full lips, but not too full. A SLIGHT overbite is okay, but an underbite would hinder a good sound. The euphonium requires a medium-sized hand span to reach the valves and students should have an above average lung capacity.
Other Considerations: Students with an above average amount of orthodontia will find the mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comfortable than trumpet or French horn.
15 students will be selected for EUPHONIUM
EUPHONIUM PERSONALITY: Artistic
Percussion
Just because you are always tapping on things does not mean you are a natural percussionist (drummer). In fact, the percussion section is the most select, hand-picked section of the band. Only students with the highest grades, lowest discipline problems, backgrounds in piano lessons, and extremely high gross and fine motor skills will be considered for percussion.
Percussionists MUST rent a marimba for at home.
Physical Characteristics: Students should exhibit a great deal of coordination in gross and fine motor skills.
Other Considerations: The study of percussion includes bells, triangle, tambourine, maracas, claves, among many other instruments. Strong piano and music reading in treble and bass clef is highly recommended.
ONLY 10-12 students will be selected for PERCUSSION
PERCUSSION PERSONALITY: Focused and Coordinated
