Recommended Instruments
The following brands of instruments are recommended because of their quality.   There are several brands of instruments that are poorly made and will make it difficult for a student to learn.  There are some brands made so poorly, that music stores will not repair them because they cannot be made to work properly.  It is very frustrating to a student to do everything the director tells them to do, but the instrument will not allow them to be successful.
Please consult a band director before purchasing any other brands of instrument.
The listed accessories can make a big difference in how a student sounds on their instrument.  Mouthpieces and reeds are particularly important in sound production.   Please purchase only the recommended accessories.
All students should own a music stand and a metronome.  
It is a good idea to own a personal tuner, especially for oboe, bassoon and French horn students.

REMEMBER - YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR WITH MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS!

Flute
Beginning Instrument

Step-up Instrument
talk to director - there are several choices

Accessories - cleaning cloth, tuning rod

Clarinet
Beginning Instrument

Step-up Instrument

Accessories - Vandoren M30 mouthpiece, Bonnade inverted ligature,
Vandoren reeds size 21/2 (beginners) or 3

Double Reeds
The school owns the instruments
Accessories - 3 reeds, reed case, cork grease, personal tuner

Saxophone
Beginning Instrument

Step-up Instrument

Accessories - Selmer C* mouthpiece, Bonnade ligature,
Vandoren reeds size 21/2 (beginners) or 3

Trumpet
Beginning Instrument

Step-up Instrument

Accessories - Bach 6C mouthpiece, mouthpiece brush, valve oil, slide grease

French horn
The school owns the instruments
Accessories - Giardinelli C8 mouthpiece, rotary oil, mouthpiece brush, personal tuner

Trombone
Beginning Instrument

Step-up Instrument

Accessories - Bach 6 1/2 AL, super-slick kit

Euphonium
The school owns the instruments
Accessories - Bach 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece, valve oil, slide grease

Tuba
The school owns the instruments
Accessories - Bach 22AW mouthpiece, valve oil, slide grease

Percussion
Required sticks should be in a stick bag and every stick should have the student's name or initials
Snare drum - SD1 General
Xylophone Mallets - BB34 malletech
Yarn Mallets - Balter 11 and 15
Timpani - T1 General
Optional equipment
watkins middle school band * cy-fair isd * 4800 cairnvillage * houston, tx 77084 * 281.463.5857 * (c) 2006