Frost M.S. Music E-Newsletter

Visit: Start of year checklist IMPORTANT

Google Calendar link: CLICK HERE

PDF Calendar Form: CLICK HERE

Concert Band:

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Link: CLICK HERE

Symphonic Band:

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Link: CLICK HERE

Orchestra:

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Link: CLICK HERE

Guitar Fundamentals:

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Link: CLICK HERE

Google Classroom is where all sheet music, reminders, class information, agendas, assignments and more are posted. Official grades will be put in the Mi-Star gradebook. Parents can also sign up in the parent area to stay connected.

*For more info and links on this information: CLICK HERE

Instruments:

Choosing an Instrument Vendor

I strongly recommend using one of the trusted music vendors listed on our website. These businesses provide quality instruments, competitive pricing, repair services, and ongoing support for our students and their families.

Please be cautious when purchasing an instrument from a general retailer that also sells clothing, electronics, toys, and other unrelated products. Over the years, I have seen students struggle with instruments that appeared to be a great deal but were poorly made, difficult to play, or unable to stay in proper working condition. If one of these instruments breaks, many music stores cannot repair it because the repair may cost more than the instrument itself. That can quickly become frustrating and discouraging for a young musician who may believe they are doing something wrong when the instrument is actually the problem.

Families are always welcome to choose where they rent or purchase an instrument. However, the vendors listed on our website have been recommended based on positive experiences from parents, students, music educators, and my own experience working with them. My goal is not to steer families toward the most expensive option—it is to help each student begin with a dependable instrument that will give them the best opportunity to learn and be successful.

INSTRUMENT VENDORS/LINKS: CLICK HERE

Large Instruments:

Tuba, Euphonium, Bari Sax, French Horn, Double Bass
May use a school instrument at school. Depending on availability there may be a tuba, euphonium, bari sax, French Horn and double bass to have one at school and one to use at home. Just accessories for the instrument would be needed to be purchased (Ex. Mouthpiece, bow). Students who play one of these instruments would keep an instrument at home and use a school instrument at school.
**Cello players will use a school instrument and keep their rental/owned at home.

Percussion Students Instrument needs: CLICK HERE

Required Sticks/Mallets/Items:

- Concert Snare Drum Sticks

- Xylophone Mallets

- Marimba Mallets

- Timpani Mallets

- Stick Bag (any color/style)

- Drum Pad 6"+

- Bell Kit (for home practice/assessments) - Keep this home

(Can get off Facebook Marketplace or mentioned vendors above)

Guitar Fundamentals Instrument:

Students will be assigned a school issued guitar to use for the school year. A form will be sent home to be signed by a parent/guardian for taking responsibility of the instrument for the duration of use.
Students will be able to take the instrument to and from school to practice. Students who have their own guitar at home, may leave the school guitar at school and use it there. We use Yamaha C-40 guitars in class.

General Instrument Supply Guide:
- Instrument

- Method Book (for the instrument you play) (Most dealers include the method book in your package)

- Proper accessories (Most dealers include this in your package)

- Sheet Music stand for home practice (These can be wire stands, Most dealers include this in your package)
- Chromatic Tuner: To be used to tune your instrument. You may download a free app. We have classroom tuners for school use.

Method Books:

Concert/Symphonic Band:
Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician, GIA Publishing
Link: https://habitsuniversal.com/beginner/

Orchestra:

String Basics Book 1 and 2, Kjos Publishing

Link: Book 1: CLICK HERE Book 2: CLICK HERE

Guitar Fundamentals:

Habits of a Successful Beginner Guitarist, GIA Publishing

Link: https://giamusic.com/resource/habits-of-a-successful-beginner-guitarist-book-11170

All students will receive a:
- Pencil

- Case Tag

- Folder

Required Instrument Supplies

Students should have the supplies listed for their instrument. Please label instrument cases and accessories with the student’s name.

Woodwind Instruments

Flute

• Cleaning rod
• Cleaning swab or soft, lint-free cleaning cloth

Clarinet and Bass Clarinet

• Reeds
  • 7th Grade: Strength 2.5
  • 8th Grade: Strength 2.5–3
• Cork grease
• Cleaning swab
• Reed holder or case
• At least four playable reeds at all times

Saxophone

This includes alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones.

• Reeds made specifically for the student’s type of saxophone
  • 7th Grade: Strength 2.5
  • 8th Grade: Strength 2.5–3
• Cork grease
• Cleaning swab
• Reed holder or case
• At least four playable reeds at all times
• Neck strap or harness

Recommended Reed Brands

The following brands are acceptable for clarinet, bass clarinet, and saxophone:

• Vandoren
• Rico—Orange Box
• Rico Royal
• Juno
• D’Addario
• Mitchell Lurie

Please make sure the reeds are made for the correct instrument. Clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and baritone saxophone reeds are not interchangeable.

Oboe

• Medium-soft oboe reeds from Charles Double Reed Company
• Reed case
• Small container for soaking reeds
• Cleaning swab
• Cork grease

Please check with Mr. Rais before purchasing reeds from another source because oboe-reed quality can vary considerably.

Brass Instruments

All Brass Players

• Valve oil
• Mouthpiece brush
• Soft cleaning cloth

Students should only use lubricants made specifically for musical instruments. Please do not use household oils or other substitutes.

Trumpet, Baritone and Euphonium

• Valve oil
• Mouthpiece
• Mouthpiece brush
• Tuning-slide grease

French Horn

• Rotor oil
• French horn mouthpiece
• Mouthpiece brush
• Tuning-slide grease

Trombone

• Trombone slide lubricant
• Small spray bottle for water, if required by the lubricant
• Trombone mouthpiece
• Mouthpiece brush
• Tuning-slide grease

Please use lubricant specifically made for a trombone hand slide. Valve oil should not be used on the trombone slide.

Tuba

• Tuba mouthpiece
• Personal bottle of valve oil
• Mouthpiece brush
• Tuning-slide grease
• Tuba mouthpiece pouch

Recommended tuba mouthpiece options:

• EastRock Tuba Mouthpiece
• Missmore
• Yamaha
• Libretto

Recommended mouthpiece pouch:

• Protec tuba mouthpiece pouch

Orchestra Instruments

Violin

• Violin and bow in good playing condition
• Rosin—any standard violin rosin is acceptable
• Properly fitted shoulder rest
• Soft cleaning cloth

Viola

• Viola and bow in good playing condition
• Rosin—any standard viola rosin is acceptable
• Properly fitted shoulder rest
• Soft cleaning cloth

Cello

• Cello and bow in good playing condition
• Rosin—any standard cello rosin is acceptable
• Rock stop or endpin anchor
• Seat strap may be used instead of a rock stop
• Soft cleaning cloth

String Bass

• String bass in good playing condition
• French-style bow
• Bass rosin
• Rock stop or endpin anchor
• Soft cleaning cloth

Recommended Bass Rosin

String bass players must use rosin specifically made for the bass. Violin, viola, or cello rosin will not work properly on a bass bow.

Recommended brands include:

• Pops
• Nyman
• Carlsson
• Wiedoft
• Jade
• Kolstein

Important Reminder

Please make sure all reeds, mouthpieces, strings, and accessories are made specifically for the student’s instrument. If you are unsure about a product, please contact Mr. Rais before purchasing it. This can help prevent families from purchasing an item that is the wrong size, type, or fit for the student’s instrument.

School Music Storage Room: Locker/Cubby
All students will be issued a school instrument storage cubby. Students are responsible for keeping it clean. There is no food/drink allowed in the storage area. If there is any type of misuse of the area, students will NOT be allowed to keep their instrument in the storage room. These will be assigned during the first week of school.

Before/After School Instrument pick up:
Students are able to drop off their instruments in the morning before school starts, and can pick their instruments up at the end of the school day as they are on their way out. All students pass by the music room on the way out at the end of the day. If students need to get picked up during the school day, may also stop in to get their instrument.

Home Practice:

Students should be bringing their instrument home as much as possible. Everyday practice for some families/students is just not realistic, but students do need to spend some time at home to work on these skills, prepare sheet music for concerts/playing assessments.

Backroom practice rooms:
Students do have the option to practice before (7:40a-8a) / after school (until 3:30p) and during Falcon Time (by pass only). Students who abuse their time in the practice rooms will be banned from future use.

Practicing: Yes, it is a must, but....

Practicing is measured in quality of practice, not quantity in minutes. Students will learn how to practice, and have plans to use at home. I will share more info with parents and students how to set a time frame at home and how much to practice.

Solid black shirt or blouse

Solid black dress pants, skirt, or appropriate dress

Black socks or tights

Black dress shoes

No large logos, jeans, athletic pants, or brightly colored shoes

Skirts/Dresses: Must be at knee length when sitting.

Contact you privately if obtaining concert clothing is a hardship

Mark your calendar! May 14-15, 2027
Info:

• Who is eligible: 7/8 students in Guitar, Band and Orchestra
• Tentative dates: None
• Approximate cost: $800+ depending on rooming package, the more students who attend the cheaper the pricing. Payment plans are available.
• Expected payment schedule: Available on our website
• Fundraising possibilities: You may share a link from Green Light Travel for your student with family/friends to donate to their trip.
• Chaperone needs: Any adult over 18 and has completed an ICHAT form.
• Academic/behavior eligibility: Students must be receiving grades over C. No D/E's Students who receive any disciplinary referrals/suspensions/etc. will be ineligible. This will be reviewed case by case with administration.
• Where future updates will appear: E-Newsletters, www.fmsmusic.org

Solo and Ensemble: Student may perform a solo and/or duet with a friend. (Band/Orchestra Only)

Honor bands/orchestras/guitar: Detroit Symphony Honors Day, Bowling Green State University, Wayne State University, Oakland University instrument days. (Band/Orchestra/Guitar)

Chicago Tour: Not graded, students will be performing at Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall

Audition opportunities: 8th Grade Percussion: Drumline for CHS/SHS

School Pep Band: Frost Unified Pep Band: All Band students (After school 3-5:30p)

Outreach: Visit Johnson and Webster to perform for students

Summer music camps: Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp audition

Chaperoning:
- MSBOA Festival
- MMEA Festival
- Chicago Tour
- Urban Air Frost Music Lock In

Concert assistance: Handing out concert programs, collecting donations

Equipment moving: Moving large instruments to festival performances

Photography/video: Take photos during class for promo, concert photos during concerts, video taping concerts

Fundraising

Repair or inventory/copying assistance

If you are considering helping out throughout the school year, fill the iCHAT form out.

iCHAT form: CLICK HERE

Store coming soon with shirts, hoodies, PJ pants, hats, shorts, polos, and more!