New Band Students and Parents
When and how do I get an instrument and band book?
Wednesday, August 31st, 2019, please visit the MCMS gymnasium to attend "Display Night".
Parents- please come at 6:00 pm. At that time you can buy your student's band book, any necessary accessories, and rent your instrument from Palen Music. You can also bring in an instrument you own and have a music store professional take a look at it to see if it is in proper working condition for your student to use for the school year.
Wednesday, August 31st, 2019, please visit the MCMS gymnasium to attend "Display Night".
Parents- please come at 6:00 pm. At that time you can buy your student's band book, any necessary accessories, and rent your instrument from Palen Music. You can also bring in an instrument you own and have a music store professional take a look at it to see if it is in proper working condition for your student to use for the school year.
Supplies Needed Every Day in Band Class
- Pencil
- Band book & music to be kept neatly in binder
- Instrument
- Accessories for your instrument.
- Chrome book- Bring it to band class and place it under your chair until given directions to get it out. This may or may not be used every day.
Where to get an instrument
The following vendor is recommended by the Montgomery County Band Director: Palen Music Company. This is a great companies that provides quality instruments and supplies. All items from the recommended supplies list can be purchased through them. A representative from Palen Music visits our school once a week to pick up or drop off repairs, or to drop off supplies. Feel free to contact them if you have any questions.
Suggested Supplies
Quality is important!
-If you get a good deal on a used instrument, GREAT! Please let Ms. Garner or a music store professional check it for quality and for any needed repairs before purchasing. We can also help you with making a bid on the instrument. Craigslist is sometimes a good source because they are local; however, you must be careful. Let us help you on screening these ads for good deals and avoid scams.
-Purchasing from eBay is NOT recommended.
-Please DO NOT purchase instruments from Sears, Target, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, or from other countries not approved by the Montgomery County Music Department.
This is important. Some supermarkets, high street chains and online-only warehouses sell their own brand of instruments In my experience, these instruments should be avoided: while the quality of Chinese instruments has undoubtedly improved since these companies first began producing instruments, there are still many poor-quality, cheap instruments around, and while the initial outlay is low, the maintenance costs can quickly overtake the price of a good branded instrument. As well as the high repair costs, cheap instruments are not as easy to play, and can be difficult even for an advanced player to make a decent sound on. We see so many players on the verge of giving up because they thought they were just no good at the playing an instrument – when in fact the problem was caused by a poor-quality instrument.
-Purchasing from eBay is NOT recommended.
-Please DO NOT purchase instruments from Sears, Target, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, or from other countries not approved by the Montgomery County Music Department.
This is important. Some supermarkets, high street chains and online-only warehouses sell their own brand of instruments In my experience, these instruments should be avoided: while the quality of Chinese instruments has undoubtedly improved since these companies first began producing instruments, there are still many poor-quality, cheap instruments around, and while the initial outlay is low, the maintenance costs can quickly overtake the price of a good branded instrument. As well as the high repair costs, cheap instruments are not as easy to play, and can be difficult even for an advanced player to make a decent sound on. We see so many players on the verge of giving up because they thought they were just no good at the playing an instrument – when in fact the problem was caused by a poor-quality instrument.
Need more reeds, valve oil, sticks, or does your instrument need repaired?
Let Ms. Garner know what supplies you need and she will coordinate with the Palen representative that visits our school once a week.
You can also contact Palen Music directly to ask them to send the supplies to our school with their store representative or visit the stores to pick up any items your student needs.
You can also contact Palen Music directly to ask them to send the supplies to our school with their store representative or visit the stores to pick up any items your student needs.
Step Up Instruments
A high quality mouthpiece or head joint is the first step towards achieving a more mature sound. If your student musician is playing on the mouthpiece they started beginning band, it is probably time for a step up. Often, the only thing keeping a student from really developing as a player is the instrument. The instruments a student plays on as a beginner are outgrown by high school. An intermediate or advanced instrument is designed with a more mature player in mind, helping them achieve a better tone, better sound in the higher and lower registers, and more ease in technical playing (of course, practicing is still important). There are several suggestions for instruments listed below, but there are obviously others. Be cautious of instruments that are priced very low, seem too good to be true, or are not brands easily recognized by music repair shop, private teacher, or band directors. In these cases, a new instrument can sometimes turn out to be a bigger challenge than they are worth! One of the most important things about purchasing a new instrument is knowing that it plays well. While surprising your student with a new instrument under the tree is a very thoughtful gesture, it may be better to let them try several out before purchasing or renting one.