2021 - 2022 Shannon/Plantersville Beginner Band Information
Dear Parents:
We are excited to welcome your child into the Shannon/Plantersville Band for the upcoming school year. We know that the camaraderie and cognitive benefits experienced while learning to play a musical instrument will play an important role in a successful transition back to school.
Starting your musical journey on a high-quality musical instrument is very important when learning to play. While there are many options available to you, not all are suitable for a young musician. We have found that Amro Music offers a rent-to-own program that is a good fit for many of our students.
As a result of COVID-19, we will not be hosting an in-person rental meeting, as we have done in previous years. Rather, we would ask that parents watch a brief video Amro has created explaining their rental program (link below) and rent their child’s instrument online through Amro’s website. It is important that the online rental process be completed by MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th so your child can start learning music as soon as possible. Have the instruments delivered to the school as we will check the instruments to make sure they have everything they need. We will look to start playing instruments no later than Monday, September 13th.
If your child already has an instrument, I ask that you please send the instrument with him/her to class so that we can inspect it a few days prior to the instrument delivery date. This ensures the instrument is suitable for a young musician and in working order.
We are thrilled to welcome your child to Band for the upcoming year! If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me. Learning to play a musical instrument is a journey and I cannot wait to take those first steps with your child!
Sincerely,
Terrell Gilmore - Director of Middle School Bands ------Link to Video: Link to Rent Online:
www.amromusic.com/rtl www.amromusiconline.com Instrument Requirements:
NOTE: All students are required to have their own copy of Essential Elements Book 1 for Band (Gold colored heading) for their specific instrument. This is the book that the students will use to learn the basics of music and their instrument.
Flutes: ● Accent or recommended brand Flute ● Essential Elements for Band: Flute Book 1
Clarinets: ● Accent or recommended brand B-flat Clarinet ● Essential Elements for Band: Clarinet Book 1
Alto Saxophones: ● Accent or recommended brand E-flat Alto Saxophone ● Essential Elements for Band: Alto Saxophone Book 1
Trumpets: ● Accent or recommended brand B-flat Trumpet ● Essential Elements for Band: Trumpet Book 1
French Horns: ● Accent or recommended brand French Horn in F ● Essential Elements for Band: F Horn Book 1
Trombones: ● Accent or recommended brand Trombone ● Essential Elements for Band: Trombone Book 1
Baritones: ● Baritone Mouthpiece: Bach 6 ½ AL ($45 delivered to teacher in an envelope to order) ● Essential Elements for Band: Baritone B.C. Book 1
Tubas: ● Tuba Mouthpiece: Bach 24/AW ($70 delivered to teacher in an envelope to order) ● Essential Elements for Band: Tuba Book 1
Percussion: ● Pearl Snare & Bell Kit from Amro ● Essential Elements for Band: Percussion Book 1
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at [email protected] Recommended Quality Instrument Brands
Should you choose not to use Amro’s rental program, here is a list of other brands that we would recommend:
Woodwind Instruments: (Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones) Accent Yamaha Selmer Bundy Buffet Conn Vito Leblanc Artley Gemeinhardt Armstrong
Brass Instruments: (Trumpets, French Horns, Trombones) Yamaha Conn Bach Accent Bundy Holton King Selmer
Percussion Instruments: (Snare Drum & Bells) Pearl Ludwig Premier
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Clarinet & Saxophone Accessories: Vandoren or Rico B-Flat Clarinet Reeds - size 2 ½ Vandoren or Rico E-Flat Alto Saxophone Reeds - size 2 ½ Clarinet or Alto Saxophone Rovner Ligature
Brass Accessories: Trumpet Mouthpiece: Bach 5c, 7c French Horn Mouthpiece: Yamaha 30C4 Trombone/Baritone Mouthpiece: Bach 6 ½ AL ($45 from Amro) Tuba Mouthpiece: Bach 24/AW ($70 from Amro)
Percussion Accessories: Snare & Bell kits include a set of Bells, a Snare Drum, Drum stand, a Drum Pad, Mallets, & Vic Firth Snare Drum sticks* (ONLY Vic Firth size 5B sticks are acceptable for all percussionists!)
SOME BRANDS TO AVOID: - Do not buy any instrument from a wholesale club or from a catalog company such as Sears or JCPenney. Also Avoid instruments from Walmart or Sam’s Club. - Any plastic instruments as these instruments have no process for repairs.
Lauren - Vedette - Silvertone - Simba - Standell - Pan American - Revere - Amati Olds - LaFayette - Winston - Grand - Roy Benson - First Act (poor quality)