INSTRUMENT: Each student needs to provide their own instrument. The only exceptions are for 7th and 8th grade students who are chosen to play a school-owned “transfer” instrument. Transfer instruments include the oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, french horn, baritone, tuba and percussion. Percussionists are required to obtain a percussion kit, which includes a snare drum, bells, and a metronome.

INSURANCE: Please check to be sure your instrument is covered by an insurance policy. Your personal instrument is not covered by the Chesapeake Public Schools.

ACCESSORIES: In order for students to properly play and maintain a musical instrument, certain accessory items are required:

• FLUTE: A soft cotton cloth and cleaning rod, a polishing cloth for fingerprints.
• OBOE & BASSOON: 2 good reeds, cork grease (or paraffin wax for bassoons), swab.
• CLARINET: 2 good reeds (2 reeds is a minimum . . . most clarinet players have at least 4 good reeds at all times!), cork grease, swab.
• ALTO SAXOPHONE: Neck strap, 2 good reeds (2 reeds is a minimum . . . most sax players have at least 4 good reeds at all times!), cork grease, swab.
• TRUMPET, BARITONE, TUBA: Valve oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush, flexible cleaning brush (snake) and a soft cloth to clean fingerprints.
• FRENCH HORN: Rotary vale oil, tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush
• TROMBONE: Slide oil or slide cream (Slide cream tends to work better. If you use slide cream, you will also need a small spray bottle of water.), tuning slide grease, mouthpiece brush, flexible cleaning brush (snake) and a soft cloth to clean fingerprints.
• PERCUSSION: A pair of 2B or SD1 drumsticks, pair of bell mallets, metronome.

HOME PRACTICE: Every student is expected to practice at home regularly. It is a proven fact that those students who practice regularly display the most improvement during the year. Please notice our practicing and practice record requirements. Students are encouraged to practice beyond the minimum requirement if they expect to experience steady progress and above average test scores.

PUBLIC PERFORMANCES: Participation in public performances is a requirement of our band program. Music is a performing art and performances are a significant part of the Music Education curriculum in the Chesapeake Public Schools.

PRIVATE LESSONS: Private lessons are not a requirement of our band program. However, private lessons are an asset to the student and have always been the traditional method used to master a musical instrument. I have a list of several excellent private instructors in our area who are always delighted to work with our students. I cannot emphasize enough the effect private study can have on you and your playing.