Brass Instruments

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The trumpet is the smallest member of the brass family. The sound on trumpet is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece. 

Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome at first 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 trumpet. 

trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes.

Other Considerations: trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable) part, therefore students who choose and are selected for trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.

12% of students will be selected for TRUMPET

TRUMPET PERSONALITY: Confident

 The French Horn is also a member  of the brass family. Its sound is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece similar to a trumpet. Students with good musical ears (such as Honor Choir students) should consider French Horn.

Physical Characteristics: A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on French Horn. The French Horn's keys are manipulated with the LEFT hand.

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. Schindewolf provides French Horns for students at a cost of $52 instrument maintenance fee for an entire school year.

10% of students will be selected for FRENCH HORN

FRENCH HORN PERSONALITY: Academic

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.

Physical Characteristics:  A slight overbite is acceptable, while an extreme underbite would hinder success. Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average. 

Other Considerations: Great trombone playing takes good concentration and study. Many quiet academicians have excelled at trombone.

12% of students will be selected for TROMBONE

TROMBONE PERSONALITY: Analytical

 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 a trombone).

​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.

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. Schindewolf  provides euphoniums at a cost of $52 instrument maintenance fee for an entire school year, but students are required to purchase their own mouthpiece and supplies.

10% of students will be selected for EUPHONIUM

EUPHONIUM PERSONALITY: Artistic

The tuba is the largest instrument in the band, and while many believe it would be hard to physically mange, the tubas we use for beginners are 3/4 size and are easy to handle.

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.

​Other Considerations: The tuba provides the musical foundation for the band and requires 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. Schindewolf provides tubas for students at a cost of $52 instrument maintenance fee for an entire school year, but students are required to purchase their own mouthpiece and supplies.

​6% of students will be selected for TUBA

Tuba Personality: Unique