STAFFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL BEGINNING BAND
RECOMMENDED INSTRUMENTS AND REQUIRED SUPPLIES
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You can RENT new or used instruments from most music stores. We use Williamson Music 1 , Music & Arts and Brook Mays Music
Company as they call on us directly. After the beginner year, you can consider returning the beginner instrument for a step-up instrument.
Step-up instruments are of higher quality, play more easily, produce better sounds, and are a great investment towards your child’s musical
career (high school, college, and beyond). Many students rent-to-own and use their beginner instrument for marching band!
Instrument
Brand/Model
Mouthpiece
Additional Supplies
Flute
Jupiter 511-RSO or Yamaha YFL-262
Step-Up/Top Line  See Director (varies
by student)
Oboe
Provided by the school for $100 annual
fee (Limited Availability)
Bassoon
Provided by the school for $100 annual
fee (Limited Availability)
Clarinet
Buffet E11
Step-Up/Top Line  Buffet R13
Vandoren M13
“Lyre” w/ cap
Yamaha 23
Step-Up/Top Line  Yamaha Custom EX
Vandoren
Optimum AL3
w/ cap
Yamaha YTR-2330
Step-Up/Top Line  Bach Stradavarius
Bach 5C
Provided by the school for $100 annual
fee (Limited Availability)
Farkas MC
Yamaha 448G
Step-Up/Top Line  Conn 88
Bach 6 ½ AL
Slide-O-Mix (black cap), Small spray bottle, Bach tuning
slide grease, mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, wire
music stand, tuner/metronome and clip
Euphonium
Tuba
Provided by the school for $100 annual
fee (Limited availability)
Bach 6 ½ AL
Conn Helleberg
120S
Hetman valve oil #2, Bach tuning slide grease,
mouthpiece brush/case (tubas), cleaning snake, wire
music stand, tuner/metronome and clip
Percussion
IP-LD Snare sticks, Remo 8” practice pad
and stand, Korg Metronome, IP-FS
Medium marimba mallets, IP Stick bag
All available at www.lonestarpercussion.com. Search “Stafford Middle
School” and all preferences are listed. Students also need 2 black hand
towels (26x15).
Alto
Saxophone
Trumpet
French Horn
Trombone
GEM Silk Swab, silver polishing rag, cleaning rod, wire
music stand, tuner/metronome and clip
3 reeds (medium soft), reed case, silk swab, water cup
w/ lid & stand clip, cork grease, wire music stand,
tuner/metronome and clip
3 reeds of medium strength, reed case, silk swab, water
cup w/ lid & stand clip, cork grease, wire music stand,
tuner/metronome and clip
2 Boxes Vandoren 2½ Traditional reeds, reed guard,
Rovner ligature, silk swab, cork grease, wire music
stand, tuner/metronome and clip
2 Boxes Vandoren 2½ reeds, cork grease, reed guard,
silk swab (for bass clarinet), Rovner ligature, Rico neck
strap (with metal hook), wire music stand,
tuner/metronome and clip
Hetman valve oil #1, Bach tuning slide grease,
mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, wire music stand,
tuner/metronome and clip
Hetman valve oil #12, Bach tuning slide grease,
mouthpiece brush, cleaning snake, wire music stand,
tuner/metronome and clip
Additional items for all students (included in $75 annual Band Fees)
1” - 3 ring black binder with inside cover pockets for band only, pencils, a pencil pouch, and mirror;
Book: Essential Elements Interactive Band Method – Book 1; All music throughout the year;
Stafford Sound Machine shirt (uniform for various performances); Ability to download all performances!; “Fundraising!”
Band fees and School-Owned Instrument Fees are due Tuesday, August 22. Information will be sent home in August
regarding how to pay online. Payment plans are available!
Being a part of an organization such as band is an investment in your child’s future. In Texas alone, there are 6 times more
scholarships given for music than all athletics combined. Ready your child for success by providing them with a quality
instrument and supplies. Band is a full year activity. If you divide the costs by the months of the school year, it is one of the
most affordable activities your child may participate in, and so much more affordable than many sports! A large percentage
of Stafford’s student body participates in band. The Stafford Sound Machine is a positive, supportive, family organization.
Students appreciate being a part of this, and find that their self-confidence increases as they learn to play an instrument.
In addition, Private Lessons are a huge advantage to students learning an instrument. Students in private lessons are
generally one to three full months ahead of those not doing so. Sessions can be during band class, before or after school.
The cost is $18.00 for one half-class session/30 minutes per week. Financial aid is readily available to any family in need
(applications sent home first week of school). Please contact the directors for our preferred list of private teachers.
The most important key to success in band is a family’s love and encouragement. A supportive family stays positive and
encourages students to work through the “tough times”. All students truly need to be successful in band is a positive attitude,
a little bit of practice, and the love and support of their parents!