New to Instrumental Music Info

BEGINNING SUMMER CAMPS are a fun way to get a head start on your instrument before the more hectic back-to-school time! See link on this webpage for Info & Registration.

INSTRUMENTS: Everyone should have their instrument by the first week of school. We recommend a rent or rent-to-own.

Percussion students: Please rent or purchase a SCHOOL BELL KIT. This contains a small mallet percussion instrument, orchestra bells for learning pitched percussion, and a practice pad for learning drum techniques.

CHCA does have some instruments available to students when their own instrument needs repair, lost, etc. However, the school cannot provide students with an instrument for regular use unless it is a specialty or secondary instrument. 

Instruments can be stored during the school day in the band storage room. Each student will be assigned an instrument locker for his/her instrument, as well as a place for the class text/sheet music.

OTHER LOCAL MUSIC STORES: 

• Mehas Music
• Sam Ash
• Willis Music 

CLASS TEXTBOOK: Standard of Excellence Enhanced Comprehensive Method for Band. Make sure you get Book 1 (red cover) and get the book specific to your instrument. This book is available through Wert Music, as well as other local music stores or online.

SUPPLIES: Each instrument requires specific supplies. I will instruct the students as to how to use these items, but please make sure that your student has the following:

• Trumpets & baritones: 1 bottle of valve oil, 1 tube of tuning slide grease
• Trombones: 1 tube of slide cream or 1 bottle of slide oil, 1 tube of tuning slide grease
• Clarinets: At least 20 B-flat Clarinet reeds (often purchased in boxes of 10). Reeds come in various strengths, usually indicated by numbers. I recommend 2-1/2 strength for beginners
• Saxophones: At least 20 Alto Saxophone reeds (often purchased in boxes of 10). Reeds come in various strengths, usually indicated by numbers. I recommend 2-1/2 strength for beginners
• Flutes: 1 soft cloth or handkerchief to use with a flute cleaning rod (rods usually included with the instrument)
• Percussion: 1 extra pair of drumsticks (I recommend Vic Firth American Custom SD1 and a digital metronome (such as a Korg MA30, or an app for phones/tablets such as Metronome Plus)

Recommended but optional: a combination tuner/metronome for wind instruments (such as a Korg TM40 or an app like Cleartune), music stand for practice at home

Required for all students: A pencil in class every day (I recommend a mechanical pencil that can be kept in the instrument case) and a binder with sheet protectors for organizing sheet music your student receives in class.

BEGINNING SUMMER CAMPS are a fun way to get a head start on your instrument before the more hectic back-to-school time! See link on this webpage for Info & Registration.

INSTRUMENTS:  Everyone should have their instrument by the first week of school. We recommend a rent or rent-to-own since most beginning students should not begin on full-sized instruments. With a rental program, you can exchange the instrument as your child grows.

If you do not rent from Antonio Violins, please be sure you have the required supplies in addition to your instrument before the beginning of the school year.

Instruments can be stored during the school day in the strings storage room. Each student will be assigned an instrument locker for their instrument, as well as a place for the class text/sheet music.

OTHER LOCAL MUSIC STORES: 

• Baroque Violin Shop
• Mehas Music
• Strings N Things

Violin and viola players: Students must bring in their own instrument to play on each day we have class. If an instrument needs to be repaired, Antonio Violins will supply a loaner. The school also has a limited number of loaner instruments for temporary purpose.

Cello and bass players:  CHCA has a limited number of  instruments available to students who are unable to bring their instruments to school. If you use a school instrument, there is a $50 yearly rental fee for repairs and maintenance. (See teacher for details.) If your transportation allows, it is helpful to occasionally use your own cello in class so it can be tuned. All cellists and bass students must bring their instruments at least once at the beginning for tuning and finger tapes.  All students, unless told otherwise, must bring their own instruments for concerts.

CLASS TEXTBOOK:  Learning Together Book One published by Summy-Birchard. Make sure you get the book specific to your instrument. This book is available through Antonio Violins, as well as other local music stores or online.

SUPPLIES: Each instrument requires specific supplies. I will instruct the students as to how to use these items, but please make sure that your student has the following in addition to their instrument:

• Violins/Violas: a bow, storage case, rosin, and a shoulder rest
• Cellos/Bass: a bow, storage case, rosin, endpin rest
• All:  Class textbook, a music stand for home practice, a small, cotton cloth to wipe the rosin off the instrument (a piece of an old t-shirt works well), a pencil in class every day, and a 1 inch black binder for organizing sheet music your student receives in class.

Please put your child’s name on the instrument tag – preferably in dark sharpie.  A silver sharpie will be available at school for items that are black.

One last tip: Our book includes a CD. The best way to prepare for class is to listen to it! The more your child listens to the pieces we will learn, the faster they will progress. Please mark your child’s name in the book (front cover in dark sharpie) before school begins.