The oboe looks much like the clarinet, but it is played with a double reed instead of a single reed to produce its distinct, melodious sound. Due to the unique nature of these instruments, students playing these instruments are highly recommended to take weekly private lessons.
 

The bassoon, the lowest sounding member of the woodwind family, is also a double reed instrument. This is one of the most specialized instruments in the band. Due to the unique nature of these instruments, students playing these instruments are highly recommended to take weekly private lessons.

The clarinet is a popular choice for Beginning Band. It has a remarkable range from low to high sounds and from loud to soft.

The saxophone is a very versatile instrument. It is a woodwind instrument, even though it is largely made of brass! Older saxophone students have the opportunity to play tenor or baritone saxophone after their beginning year.

The trumpet, with its high-pitched brilliant tone, is the leader of the brass family. A trumpet player can produce all the notes of the scale by pressing the valves and changing the lip vibration speed. The best trumpet players tend to have smaller sized lips, but this is not a rule. The trumpet also is an important member of the jazz band.

The French Horn is made from 12-16 feet of brass tubing circled around and around. The tone is very mellow. In addition to using the lips and valves to change the pitch, the player places a hand in the bell to sometimes give a muted effect. Instruments are provided by the school, but very limited availability. Must have a good ear for music. Piano experience is helpful.

Due to the unique nature of these instruments, students playing this instrument are highly recommended to take weekly private lessons.

The trombone is a member of the brass family. Like other brass instruments, the trombone produces sound when the player vibrates his or her lips while blowing air into the mouthpiece. However, the trombone is unique as it is the only brass instrument that doesn’t need valves to change the pitch. Instead, trombonists move a slide to get the desired tones.

The trombone is capable of achieving a wide variety of sounds, from mellow to powerful. As a result, it can be found in numerous of ensembles, from wind bands and symphony orchestras to rock and jazz bands. Trombone choirs are also very popular, especially in college music departments.

Like a mini-tuba, the euphonium plays the same notes as the trombone, but has a rounder, more mellow sound. Due to its valves, it can play faster passages of music with more smoothness and ease.

The tuba is the largest and the lowest of the band instruments. Its bass voice gives the deep, low tones that are the foundation of the band. When unwound, a tuba is 16 feet long. Instruments are provided by the school, but very limited availability. We have smaller tubas for beginners.

The percussion section of the band keeps the beat, builds excitement, and adds color. A percussionist does not just play drums; he/she plays bells, xylophone, timpani, cymbals, triangle, and many other instruments (all school owned). Each member of the percussion section must work to create the aural illusion of one giant percussion instrument. A marimba must be rented or purchased from a music company, as well as a Practice Pad, stands for both, sticks and mallets. Enrollment is limited. Due to the unique nature of these instruments, students playing this instrument are highly recommended to take weekly private lessons.