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Band Instruments

Which instruments are in the band?

How do I get a band instrument?

Acquiring an Instrument

After you have signed up for band and/or orchestra, you will receive information from the teacher about which instrument you will get to play. After that, most families rent an instrument from a rental company. 

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If you cannot afford to rent, please arrange to borrow a school instrument by contacting Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Bendon, or Mrs. Terrell. School instruments are distributed on a first come first serve basis and reserved for those with a genuine need.

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If you already have an instrument that you plan to use, please let your teacher know as soon as possible. We want the chance to look over the instrument to be sure it is in good working condition.

Benefits of Renting

-Renting ensures you have a good quality instrument to play.
-Repair and maintenance programs make repairs cheaper and easier.
-Companies will pick up and deliver instruments that need to go to the shop for repair or replacement.
-Orchestra students will likely not be full size for a year or two, so renting makes it easy to swap for the next size up as they grow.
-You can build up credit with rental payments that can be used toward the purchase of an instrument later on.
-Many students will start on a beginner quality student instrument and then have the choice to upgrade later

Beware of Purchasing

We strongly discourage purchasing instruments online from Craigslist, Amazon, Ebay, Wish, Temu, etc. without consulting the teacher first. They are often very poor quality and have many problems in the set up that cause students to experience more frustration than success when playing. Most repair shops will not work on these instruments for many reasons. Amazon, for instance, might say they will replace the instrument if it breaks, but we’ve seen students go through 5 or 6 Amazon instruments before they get too frustrated and decide to take a different route. If you want to purchase an instrument, feel free to reach out to one of the instrumental teachers for guidance before making your purchase. We’re happy to help!

Band Instrument Rental

Band Rental Information

After the parent meeting on  Monday, May 22nd you will need to determine if you are going to rent or purchase an instrument.  You will not need an instrument until the beginning of school.  Save yourself some money and don’t get an instrument until the beginning of August.   Irving students should order an instrument before the first week of school in July.

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I highly recommend renting or purchasing through Rieman Music.  They visit us weekly to pick up instruments that need repair, and they will also give you a loaner instrument to use while your instrument is in the shop.  Rieman Music also offers repair insurance on rented instruments which is highly recommended for 5th graders since they are just learning how to care for their instrument.  Please watch this video for more information from Rieman Music: https://tinyurl.com/riemanmusicinstruments.  Go to this link to begin your rental through Rieman Music:  https://tinyurl.com/riemaninstrumentrental.

Band Accessories

Click HERE to view a list of accessories you will need for each instrument as well as suggested name brand instruments.  If you are renting through Rieman Music you will have the option to add these to your rental and I recommend getting them that way.  If you are purchasing the accessories individually please contact Rieman Music over the phone or go to this link to order these supplies:  https://tinyurl.com/Indianolainstrumentrental.  Double check with them on which accessories are included with your rental before purchasing the list of accessories.  Here is a link to accessories and quality instrument brands:  http://tinyurl.com/Indybandaccessories.  At the beginning of the year a lesson book will be provided to each student.  If that book is lost or not returned the student will be charged for it.  

Required Accessories &
Recommended Brands of Instruments

Flute Accessories

  • Name tag for case

  • Wire music stand

  • Cleaning rod

  • Gem silk flute swab

Recommended Flute Brands

  • Gemeinhardt

  • Selmer

  • Yamaha

  • Armstrong

  • Artley

Clarinet  Accessories

  • Name tag for case

  • Wire music stand

  • Clarinet Swab - Hodge Silk

  • Rico Clarinet Reeds size #2.5 (at least a 3 pack or more)

  • do not use a different brand, other brands could really make the students have trouble

  • Cork Grease

Clarinet Recommended Brands

  • Selmer

  • Yamaha

  • Jupiter

  • Armstrong

  • Buffet

  • Bundy

  • LeBlanc

  • Noblet

Saxophone    Accessories

  • Name tag for case

  • Wire music stand

  • Padded saxophone neck strap with a clip (no hooks, an actual clip that closes)

  • Cork Grease

  • Rico Reeds 3 Pack for Alto Sax size 2.5 

  • do not use a different brand, other brands could really make the students have trouble

  • Silk saxophone swab

Saxophone  Recommended Brands

  • Selmer

  • Yamaha

  • Jupiter

  • Buffet

  • Bundy

  • Cannonball

Trumpet Accessories

  • Name tag for case

  • Wire music stand

  • Care Kit - Must purchase through Rieman Music or buy each item individually

  • Includes: valve oil, slide grease, mouthpiece cleaning brush, valve casing brush, flexible bore brush, polishing cloth, case ID tag

Trumpet Recommended Brands

  • Bach

  • Yamaha

  • Selmer

  • Conn

  • Getzen

  • Jupiter

  • King

  • Holton

Trombone      Accessories

  • Name tag for case

  • Wire music stand

  • Yamaha Trombone Slide Lubricant

  • Schilke Tuning Slide Grease

  • Brass Mouthpiece Brush

  • Small squirt bottle

Trombone  Recommended Brands

  • Yamaha

  • Jupiter

  • Getzen

  • Bach

  • Selmer

  • Conn

  • King

  • Holton

Baritone/TubaAccessories

  • Name tag for case

  • Wire music stand

  • Valve Oil

  • Tuning Slide Grease

Baritone/Tuba Brands

  • Baritones & tubas are provided by the school

Percussion  Accessories

  • Percussion kit including bells, drum pad, stand that holds both bells and drum pad, and a carrying case for all of the above.

  • OnStage Dual Head Percussion Mallet

  • Vic Firth SD1 American Custom Wood Tip Drumsticks

  • Stick Bag

  • Wire music stand (the kit will come with a music stand that connects to the bell kit, but it's not very sturdy and students will need a stand for the snare drum as well)

Percussion Brands

  • Ludwig, Pearl, Yamaha

  • A percussion kit might be cheaper to purchase rather than rent.  A percussion kit with wheels is most convenient for 5th graders since they are so heavy!  Rieman Music might be able to special order one for you if you want to rent.  Otherwise this is a great percussion kit that can be purchased: https://tinyurl.com/bandpercussionkit.  If purchasing elsewhere please touch base with Mrs. Clark first to make sure it’s a good kit.

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