♪ Choose a Band Instrument (YouTube Video)
Band Instrument Options
Beginning band students may choose to learn any of the following instruments:
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Alto Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Percussion (Snare Drum & Orchestral Bells)*
*Prospective percussionists must have already completed at least 2 years of piano lessons
Local music stores offer purchase, rental, or rent-to-own options for families. Before picking up your instrument, please contact us to let us know your child’s instrument choice.
Your child will need these items:
- An instrument with accessories (see below)
- A music stand for home practice
- Book and/or folder (given to students at the first class in September)
Required Accessories:
- Flute: Cleaning Rod & Swab
- Clarinet & Saxophone: 6 Reeds (3 of #2 strength; 3 of #2.5 strength); Cork Grease; Swab
- Trumpet: Valve Oil
- Trombone: Slide Oil
- Percussion: "Vic Firth" brand Drum Sticks (Size 5A)
Before Renting or Purchasing an Instrument:
Please help your child plan a home practice schedule before acquiring an instrument. Your child’s success will greatly depend upon his/her faithfulness in practicing. A minimum of 15 to 20 minutes of daily practice generally results in good progress. 25 to 30 minutes of daily practice generally results in very good or outstanding progress.
Recommended Instrument Brands Include:
Armstrong, Artley, Bach, Buffet, Conn, Gemeinhardt, Holton, Jupiter, LeBlanc, Ludwig, Pearl, Selmer, Vito, Yamaha. Local music stores generally carry good, name brand instruments.
New or Used?
Used instruments (of a reputable brand name such as those listed above) can be a good choice. In fact, older instruments are sometimes of better quality than brand new models. The instrument dealers listed below can have their repair technician check over your child’s used instrument to be sure it is in good playing condition.
IMPORTANT:
Be sure to only purchase or rent instruments from a local music store that has a repair technician on-site. Please avoid any band instrument sold by “big-box” chain stores (Wal-Mart, etc.). Also, please do not purchase instruments online unless you are searching for a precise brand and model. If you do purchase an instrument online, you will need to bring it to a local music store to have it checked over to ensure that it is ready to be played.
Local Band Instrument Dealers
Instruments and accessories can be rented and/or purchased at any of the music stores listed below:
♬ Bayshore Town Center Area:
Brass Bell Music Store
210 W Silver Spring Dr
Milwaukee WI
414-963-1000
http://www.brassbellmusic.com/aeRntSchoolSelect.aspx
♬ Waukesha/Brookfield//West Bend/Watertown
White House of Music (multiple locations)
2101 N Springdale Rd
Waukesha, WI
262-798-9700
14685 W. Capitol Dr
Brookfield, WI
(262) 347-3000
869A S. Main St.
West Bend, WI
(262) 334-4426
1724 S. Church St
Watertown, WI
(920) 261-0700
https://whitehouseofmusic.com
♬ Ozaukee County:
Lakeside Music & Naturals
115 N Franklin St
Port Washington, WI
262-235-4424
♬ Milwaukee’s South Side:
Family Music Center
5020 W Oklahoma Ave
Milwaukee, WI
414-546-6664
https://mysite778.dudaone.com/
Lincoln Music House
3379 S 13th St
Milwaukee, WI
414-671-4233
http://www.lincolnmusichousewi.com/
Racine:
Classic Violins
403 Main St
Racine, WI
262-800-1095
https://classicviolins.com
Madison Area:
Ward-Brodt Music Mall
5976 Executive Drive
Fitchburg, WI
608-661-8600
https://www.wardbrodt.com
Heid Music
7948 Tree Lane
Madison, WI
608-829-1969