Required Materials (All)

Instrument Upgrades
  • Pencil
  • Black Music Binder
  • Instrument
    • 9th+ graders are expected to have upgraded instruments, mouthpieces, and/or reeds. 
    • It is suggested that all students/parents explore upgrading instruments. “Student Model” instruments are meant for beginners, which high schoolers are not.
  • ​Materials need to play instrument (see below)
  • Materials needed to clean & maintain instrument (see below)
  • Excitement for music and willingness to learn!​
​Before purchasing an instrument, always consult with Ms. Swartz and your Private Teacher. Instruments vary even within the same model, we will help you select the best instrument possible within your budget!
​

​If students/families have any concerns acquiring instruments, upgrades, or any other materials, please contact Ms. Swartz at [email protected]. 

Instrument Specific Needs

  • FLUTE - 
    • Required: Cleaning Rod & Cleaning Cloth
    • Optional: Polishing Cloth
  • OBOE - 
    • Required: Reeds, swab, cork grease, filter paper
    • Encouraged: Reed Case, water container 
          *Student should rotate through (4) working reeds at all times!
  • CLARINET - ​
    • Required: Reeds & ligature, mouthpiece cap, swab
    • Encouraged: Reed case, upgraded ligature
    • See options for mouthpiece/reed upgrades below
​          *Student should rotate through (4) working reeds at all times!
  • BASS CLARINET - 
    • Required: Reeds & ligature, mouthpiece cap, swab
    • Encouraged: Reed case, upgraded ligature
    • See options for mouthpiece/reed upgrades below
​          *Student should rotate through (4) working reeds at all times!
  • BASSOON - ​
    • Required: Reeds, Seat strap, silk swab
    • Encouraged: Reed Case, water container
          *Student should rotate through (4) working reeds at all times!
  • SAXOPHONE - 
    • Required: Reeds & ligature, mouthpiece cap, swab
    • Encouraged: Reed case, upgraded ligature
    • See options for mouthpiece/reed upgrades below
​​​          *Student should rotate through (4) working reeds at all times!​
  • TRUMPET - 
    • ​Required: Upgraded mouthpiece (see below), valve oil, slide grease, polishing cloth
    • Encouraged: Mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake
  • HORN - ​
    • ​Required: Upgraded mouthpiece (see below), rotor oil, slide grease, polishing cloth
    • Encouraged: Mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake
  • TROMBONE - ​
    • ​Required: Upgraded mouthpiece (see below), Slide-O-Mix (slide oil), slide grease, cleaning cloth, polishing cloth
    • Encouraged: Mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, rotor oil (F Attachment Instruments only)
  • EUPHONIUM - 
    • ​Required: Upgraded mouthpiece (see below), valve oil, slide grease, polishing cloth
    • Encouraged: Mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake
  • TUBA - 
    • ​Required: Upgraded mouthpiece (see below), valve oil, slide grease, polishing cloth
    • Encouraged: Mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake
  • PERCUSSION 
    • ​Percussion students can click HERE ​to visit the Steve Weiss Music website for the list of materials​
      • ​*Optional Metronome

Mouthpiece & Reed Recommendations 

Clarinet
  • Vandoren B45 Mouthpiece​
  • Vandoren M1 Lyre Mouthpiece
  • Rovner, Bonade, or Charles Bay Ligatures
  • Vandoren V12 Reeds (Strength 3.5 or 4)
  • Légère Reeds (Min. Strength 3)
  • For Clarinets w/o Private Teachers:
  • Légère Strength Chart
  • Légère Store (You can also look at local music stores)
Saxophone
  • Selmer C* Mouthpiece
  • Rovner or Charles Bay Ligatures
  • Vandoren Reeds (Blue Box, Size 3)
  • Légère Reeds (Min. Strength 3)
  • Please refrain from Neotech neckstraps
  • For Saxophones w/o Private Teachers:
  • Légère Strength Chart
  • Légère Store (You can also look at local music stores)
Trumpet
  • Bach 3C or 1.5C Mouthpiece
Horn
  • Schilke 29 or 30
Trombone/Euphonium Tuba