LAUREL HIGHLANDS 5TH GRADE BEGINNING BAND

Your child has been assigned to begin instruction on the alto saxophone! Below is a list of the things you’ll need.

Alto SaxophoneConsists of:1 Alto Saxophone (6 pieces)• Mouthpiece• Ligature• Neck• Body• Neck Strap• Mouthpiece Cap1 Case

Make sure you get at least 3 reeds. They usually are not included with the instrument. Ask for Rico Royal or Vandoren

Blue Box 2.5 strength reeds.

Method Book (required):

Essential Elements for Band (with online resources included)

Alto Saxophone - Book 1

Other Things You’ll Need: (Highly Recommended!)

Care Kit: Cleaning Cloth, Polishing Cloth, Swab (some stores require this)Metronome: Digital or App is fineTuner: Digital or App is fineMusic Stand: it makes home practice much easier and more comfortable

Note: Only gold lacqueredsaxophones are permittedin the Laurel HighlandsBand program.

Beginning Band Information - Let’s Get Started!

Laurel Highlands Elementary Schools Instrumental Music Lessons

Now that the Beginning Band Instrument Test Drive Process is complete, it’s time to getstarted learning to play! On the other side of this page is your instrument assignment.Included with this are all of the items you need to begin playing a musical instrument.Please read all of this information so we can get the best start possible. Thanks!

First LessonsInstruction has already begun with lessons on rhythm reading and pitch reading. Allstudents will need an instrument, method book (Essential Elements for Band) and a pencilfor the by September 27, 2021. Clarinet and Alto Saxophone students should always have atleast 3 reeds. (2 ½ hardness reeds to start) Percussionists will need a student percussion kit.This includes a drum pad, bells, stand, sticks, mallets and either a backpack-style case orrolling case.

Music RetailersIt is highly recommended that you obtain your child’s instrument through one of our localmusic retailers. Please do not purchase instruments from eBay or Amazon withoutdiscussing with Mr. Miller first. Many instruments from these sources are poorlyconstructed or made with inferior materials. Just because it looks like an instrumentdoesn’t make it so.

Micarelli Music, Uniontown (724) 438-9311 1 yr rental or one-time purchaseAtkins Music, Connellsville (724) 628-2450 Online rental program (attached) or 1-time purchaseFawley Music, Morgantown (304) 292-3351 1 yr lease, 33 month rent-to-own, 1-time purchaseVolkwein’s Music, Pittsburgh (800) 553-8742

Previously owned Instruments / Hand-Me DownsIf you have access to an instrument from a family member or other acquaintance, please letMr. Miller know this. If your child is assigned this instrument, please have it looked over byone of the music retailers’ repairmen to make sure it is in good working order. While there isno absolute guarantee that this instrument will be a good fit for your child, this will be takeninto account through the test drive process.

School-Owned InstrumentsLaurel Highlands School District has a very limited number of trombones and baritonesavailable to loan to students who may have a financial need. Most of these instruments areold and worn, but we do the best we can with what we have.

Traditional Instruments are required. Student-level instruments that are brightlycolored or non-traditional colors are a gimmick and usually cover up poor craftsmanship.These instruments are NOT permitted in any LH Band classes!