CMS Band FAQ
How are instruments assigned?
Once I receive a list of all enrolled 6th graders, I will send an email to each student asking them to select 3 instruments they would be happy to play. I will then assign instruments based on the needed instrumentation in the band.
The instrumentation for the band is designed to create a balanced sound for the group. If everyone played percussion, for example, the band would not sound good. Some of the larger sections in the group typically include clarinets, trumpets, French horns and trombones. Some of the smaller sections include the oboe, bassoon, percussion and saxophone.
How will I know what instrument I have been assigned?
The instrument selection email will be sent out sometime in the first two weeks of July. The email with your instrument assignment will be sent sometime before school starts.
Where do I get my student's instrument?
I highly recommend renting your instrument for the first year in band. Both Amro Music and Lane Music stores rent quality instruments, and you can choose to include a maintenance and repair plan as part of your rental. This will cover any damage caused by a dropped instrument or and accidental damage to the instrument.
If your student is assigned Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, or Trombone, they will need to rent their instrument from Amro or Lane Music.
We will be having an Amro Rental Pick-Up on Tuesday August 15th from 5:30pm-7pm in the CMS Cafeteria. Students who are given the instruments above (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone) will be able to rent/obtain their instruments then. If you can not make this pick-up, you can go to Amro or Lane Music store.
If your student is assigned the Bassoon, French Horn, Euphonium, or Tuba, they will rent their instrument from CMS. The school instrument rental fee is $100 per year.
This is used to maintain the instrument and for any repairs/cleaning needed along the way. These instruments are prohibitively expensive, and are not rented by local music stores. There are also a limited number of these instruments, so they are first come first served.
Please, please, please do not purchase your child's instrument online. The instruments you find on sites like Amazon are very cheap for a reason. They will play out of tune, will be harder to maintain, and most likely won't last the school year. Instrument repair shops in town will not work on them because they are manufactured using low quality materials. You will end up spending more money in the long run if you buy online.