| Flute | |||
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The
flute is the smallest of the beginner instruments. It is a very popular
selection each year, but only a small portion of those wishing to play flute
will be selected. |
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Physical Characteristics:
Flute players should have a slight “frown” to the upper lip with NO tear
drop shape in the middle. Flute tones are produced by being able to focus
an extremely small airstream to an exact location on the tone hole. The
tear-drop-shaped lip will make it difficult to direct the air so precisely.
Flute players should also have agile fingers for moving this multi-keyed
instrument through a fast musical passage. Students with extreme overbites
(receded jaw) should avoid choosing flute as this makes it difficult to
produce quality sounds. |
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Other Considerations:
Students with double-jointed fingers should avoid selecting flute as double-jointedness
can cause lack of agility in the fingers. |
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10% of students will be selected for FLUTE |
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FLUTE PERSONALITY: Conscientious |
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| Oboe | |||
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The oboe is similar in its
appearance to a clarinet, but it is played using a “double reed” instead of
a single reed and mouthpiece. Selection of oboe players is EXTREMELY
limited. VERY few will actually be selected for oboe. |
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Physical Characteristics:
Students with profound overbites or underbites would have EXTREME
difficulties producing good sounds on the oboe since the embouchure (mouth
position) requires equal pressure on both sides of the reed at the same
placement. |
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Other Considerations:
Because the oboe is such a difficult instrument to master, only students
with high academic performance records will be considered. Private lessons
are available (and HIGHLY suggested) for $15.00 per week and scholarships
are available based on financial need and demonstration of diligent work
ethic. Students are required to maintain a supply of 3-4 high-quality reeds
at ALL times. Reeds can cost $14-16 each. Students with a history of
disciplinary trouble will NOT be considered for oboe. |
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2% of students will be selected for OBOE |
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OBOE PERSONALITY: Studious |
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| Clarinet | |||
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Unlike the oboe, the
clarinet uses a “single reed” and a mouthpiece to produce the sound.
Willingness to purchase or rent a director-recommended clarinet is a MUST!
Unfortunately, there are some clarinets on the market whose poor design and
craftsmanship will make it next to impossible for your student to succeed.
We can help you avoid that pitfall. Some clarinet students may be chosen to
play Bass Clarinet as 7th graders. |
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Physical Characteristics:
One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin
flat. Orthodontia is okay, but if a student has an extremely rounded bottom
row of teeth, the mouthpiece will be hard to place in the proper position
for tone production. |
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Other Considerations:
Instruction in clarinet can be meticulous. Students who are able to focus on
and perform a detailed series of instructions could do well on clarinet.
Students who have difficulty remembering a series of instructions should
avoid playing clarinet. Clarinet players are also responsible for
maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds. A box of 10 reeds costs
$17.50 and can last (with proper care) up to 4 months. |
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20% of students will be selected for CLARINET |
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CLARINET PERSONALITY: Focused |
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| Bassoon |
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The bassoon is to the oboe
what the bass clarinet is to the clarinet. It is the larger, lower sounding
version of the double reed instrument. However, bassoon students will not
play oboe before switching, instead they will begin on the bassoon itself.
VERY few students will be selected to play Bassoon. |
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Physical Characteristics:
A slight overbite is okay for students wishing to play bassoon, however, a
student with an underbite should avoid bassoon. Agile thumbs is a necessity
for playing bassoon proficiently as well as a medium or greater hand span. |
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Other Considerations:
Like the oboe, the bassoon is such a difficult instrument to master, only
students with high academic performance records will be considered. Private
lessons are available (and HIGHLY suggested) for $15.00 per week and
scholarships are available based on financial need and demonstration of
diligent work ethic. Students are required to maintain a supply of 3-4
high-quality reeds at ALL times. Reeds can cost $10-15 each. Students with a
history of disciplinary trouble will NOT be considered for bassoon. |
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2% of students will be selected for BASSOON |
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BASSOON PERSONALITY: Serious |
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| Saxophone |
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The alto saxophone gives the impression of
being both a brass AND woodwind instrument, however it is indeed considered
a woodwind instrument. The alto saxophone (which uses a single reed like the
clarinet) is a very popular instrument like flute and only a few students
will be chosen to play it. |
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Physical Characteristics: Since the
balance of the saxophone is maintained by the use of a neck strap, it is
extremely important that students be able to sit up completely straight when
asked to. |
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| Other Considerations: Saxophone players are responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds. A box of 10 reeds costs $23.00 and can last (with proper care) up to 4 months. Alto Saxophone students will have the opportunity after their first year of instruction to audition for Tenor Sax or Baritone Sax (based on their proven musical and behavioral abilities while in alto saxophone class). | |||
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8% of students will be selected for SAXOPHONE |
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SAXOPHONE PERSONALITY: Mellow |
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| Cornet / Trumpet | |||
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The cornet / trumpet is the smallest member of
the brass family. The sound on cornet / trumpet is produced by buzzing into
a small mouthpiece. Students who choose and are selected to play cornet /
trumpet will begin on a cornet (smaller in size) and “graduate” into a
trumpet upon the completion of a battery of playing exams. |
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Physical Characteristics: While
orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a cornet / trumpet player, it is not
impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but
an underbite can severely hinder progress on cornet / trumpet. Cornet /
trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes. |
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| Other Considerations: Cornet / trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable) part, therefore students who choose and are selected for cornet / trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation. | |||
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12% of students will be selected for TRUMPET |
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TRUMPET PERSONALITY: Confident |
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| French Horn | |||
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The French horn is the also a member of the
brass family. Its sound is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece
similar to a trumpet. Only the top 14-16 scores will be selected to play
French horn. Students with good musical ears (such as Honor Choir students)
should consider French Horn. |
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Physical Characteristics: While
orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a French Horn player, it is not
impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but
an underbite can severely hinder progress on French Horn. Because the bell
of the French horn rests on the knee of the player while playing, it is
imperative that a student’s upper torso be long enough to accommodate the
size of the French horn to make good sounds and that players be able to
demonstrate sitting straight up when asked to do so. The French horn’s keys
are manipulated with the LEFT hand. |
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| Other Considerations: Because of the difficult nature of French horn notes (mentioned above), students should exhibit GREAT ability to match sung or played pitches by humming or singing. Perhaps this is a good instrument choice for students who have participated in piano lessons or honor choir groups. Students with a history of academic or behavioral problems will NOT be selected for French horn. Creek Valley provides French horns for students at a cost of $50 rental for an entire school year. Private lessons cost $15.00 per week and scholarships are available based on financial need and demonstration of diligent work ethic. | |||
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10% of students will be selected for FRENCH HORN |
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FRENCH HORN PERSONALITY: Academic |
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| Trombone | |||
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Like the French horn, trombone players should
have good “musical ears”. The trombone is played like the other brass
instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped mouthpiece), but uses a slide instead
of valves. The slide is not marked or notched and players rely on their
memory and hearing to tell if they are in the EXACT proper location.
Students with good musical ears (such as Honor Choir students) should
consider Trombone. |
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Physical Characteristics: While some
might think that trombone players must have long arms, the truth is there
are numerous accommodations that make it possible for students of all shapes
and sizes to play. A slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme
underbite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller
lips than average. |
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| Other Considerations: Great trombone playing takes good concentration and study. Many quiet academicians have excelled at trombone. | |||
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12% of students will be selected for TROMBONE |
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TROMBONE PERSONALITY: Analytical |
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| Euphonium / Baritone |
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The euphonium (you-PHONE-knee-yum) is
sometimes known as the baritone. It is a member of the brass family and
looks like a small version of a tuba. Its sound is similar to that of a
trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide (like
trombone). |
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Physical Characteristics: Euphonium
players should have moderately full lips, but not too full. A SLIGHT
overbite is okay, but an underbite would hinder a good sound. The euphonium
requires a medium-sized hand span to reach the valves and students should
have an above average lung capacity. |
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| Other Considerations: Students with an above average amount of orthodontia will find the mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comfortable than trumpet or French horn. Creek Valley provides euphoniums for students at a cost of $50 rental for an entire school year, but students are required to purchase their own mouthpieces. | |||
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10% of students will be selected for EUPHONIUM |
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EUPHONIUM PERSONALITY: Artistic |
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| Tuba | |||
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While many believe the tuba is the largest
instrument in the band and would be hard to physically manage, the tubas we
use for beginners are ¾ size and easy to handle. In fact, tuba players will
begin by playing a baritone horn and will switch over in December (if
physically ready) to one of the ¾- sized tubas. |
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Physical Characteristics: Tuba players
need to have full lips and a large lung capacity. While the size of the
student doesn’t matter TOO much, a long torso (upper body) helps a student
reach the mouthpiece of the tuba while resting the bottom of the tuba on the
edge of their chair or across the thighs. |
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| Other Considerations: The tuba provides the musical foundation for the band and requires players that are self-motivated over-achievers. Students with a history of academic trouble should not consider tuba as we rely heavily on the ability of the tuba players to be consistently UIL eligible. Creek Valley provides tubas for students at a cost of $50 rental for an entire school year, but students are required to purchase their own mouthpieces. Baritone mouthpieces will be provided during the first semester. | |||
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6% of students will be selected for TUBA |
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TUBA PERSONALITY: Unique |
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| Percussion (Drums) | |||
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Just because you are always tapping on things
does not mean you are a natural percussionist (drummer). In fact, the
percussion section is the most select, hand-picked section of the band. Only
students with the highest grades, lowest discipline problems, backgrounds in
piano lessons, and extremely high gross and fine motor skills will be
considered for percussion. |
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Physical Characteristics: Students
should exhibit a great deal of coordination in gross and fine motor skills |
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Other Considerations: The study of
percussion includes bells, triangle, tambourine, maracas, claves, among many
other instruments. |
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| IMPORTANT: Students interested in testing for percussion will be required to attend MADATORY testing session TBA. Students who do not attend this session will NOT be considered for percussion. |
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ONLY 10-12 students will be selected for PERCUSSION |
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PERCUSSION PERSONALITY: Coordinated and Organized |
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