2024-2025 Beginner Band Instrument Selection
Instrument Fitting: What instrument will you play?
What: The instrument fitting is when we meet with each student 1:1 to "fit" them with an instrument. We give the student the chance to try out and explore each instrument and help find the instrument on which they will be the most successful.
Who: The student, parents and the band directors, Mr. Dobson and Mr. Gray attend the fitting.
When: Monday April 15th 4-8pm, Tuesday April 16th 4-8pm, and Thursday April 18th 4-6pm
How: Watch all the instrument videos. Click HERE for Instrument Videos
Then, schedule your 10-minute appointment: Click HERE for the Online Appointments April 15th - 18th
Where: Deer Park Junior High School Band Hall, enter through the red door in the back of the school that says DPJH Band by the tennis courts.
In doing an instrument fitting, our goal for entire band is to develop a balanced instrumentation so that students have a good "band" experience. Our goal for the student is to find an instrument on which they will be successful.
It is VERY important that you and your child watch each instrument video. This will give your child a good idea of what all of the instruments sound like and help them make a well informed decision of what they might be interested in playing in the DPJH Band.
What We Do in the Appointments:
- Evaluate any potential embouchure issues related to the physical characteristics of the lips, teeth, and jaw.
- Compare the student's sound on a variety of instruments to determine which are a good fit.
- Form a very basic embouchure after instruction and guidance.
- Sustain a tone on the mouthpiece/small instrument for 3-5 counts after instruction and practice.
- Hold the instruments by themselves.
Factors that help determine instrument selection:
- Student's level of interest and commitment to improving.
- Student's quality of schoolwork.
- Student's personal habits - organization, neatness, patience, etc.
- Physical characteristics.
- Interest in taking private lessons.
How we keep students safe during fittings:
- Each student will be provided a one-use sanitized instrument fitting kit. This kit will include mouthpieces, reeds, and other tools needed to "test" each instrument. Since students need to put their mouth on an instrument to play it, we take your health and safety very seriously. Only one student will be permitted to use each kit. We have enough kits for every kid in the program to work with clean and sanitized equipment. Band directors will be wearing masks for the duration of the instrument fitting, and sanitization products will be used to keep surfaces clean and wiped in between students. If you have concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
Instrument Selection Steps for Every Future Band Family
STEP 1
Watch the meet the band instrument videos by clicking here
STEP 2
Appointments are Monday April 15th, Tuesday April 16th, and Thursday April 18th. Complete the online appointment and submit by Friday April 12th by clicking HERE.
STEP 3
Show up for your appointment at the Deer Park Junior High School Band Hall. Enter through the grey metal door in the back of the school by the tennis courts. The student and at least one parent must attend the appointment.
At the appointment we will:
- Go over your student's top choices.
- Show how to produce a sound.
- Ask students to try some quick exercises with us.
STEP 4
Once we have seen all of the kids we will send you an email and let you know your instrument. Most students receive one of their top 3 choices.
STEP 5
We have two Instrument companies which will rent and service our students instruments. They have a list of instruments and the supplies we use. We will send out instrument renting links after everyone has been placed on an instrument. We strongly recommend this is done by July 1. If you need assistance with the cost of the instrument, we will get you that information.
STEP 6
Prepare to be in one of the best programs in Deer Park!
You will make music, make friends, and make memories!!!
Welcome to the DPJH Band!
If you have any questions or issues with the website or forms, please contact:
David Dobson
Director of Bands
Deer Park Junior High
832-668-7517