Frost M.S. Instrument Supplies

Hello Concert Ensemble Families,

I am very excited to welcome your student to the Frost Music program! This week, we have been finalizing instrumentation and getting everything ready to begin playing together. Our goal is to start making music next week (soft target: Wednesday). We also understand that some instruments may still be in transit and could arrive Thursday or Friday—that’s perfectly fine. In the meantime, we’ll begin working on fundamental skills to prepare students for playing.

So far, students have:

Been assigned instrument lockers (cello/bass students have also been assigned their class instruments)
Reviewed classroom expectations, grading policies, and rehearsal procedures
Discussed how to care for instruments and supplies
Working on rhythms: Clap/Count aloud

Please make sure that all students have a name tag on their instrument case. This can be the tag provided by the music store, a luggage/case tag, or any clear label that identifies your student’s name. This helps us keep instruments organized and prevents mix-ups.

I’ve also attached a detailed list of required supplies for each instrument so that families can double-check they have everything ready.

If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m always happy to help.

Looking forward to a great year of music-making,
Michael Rais

Follow on Twitter:

Frost MS Music: https://x.com/frostmsmusic

Mr. Rais Music: https://x.com/mraisbass

Make sure you get the book for your instrument

Method Books: *Required

1st and 6th Hour Concert Band:
Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician - Scott Rush / Jeff Scott (GIA Publications)
*Make sure you order the method book for the correct instrument.
https://habitsuniversal.com/

4th Hour Concert Orchestra:

String Basics Book 1 - Terry Shade, Jeremy Woolstenhulme (Kjos Publications)
https://kjos.com/strings/methods/string-basics.html

For All Students

Habits of a Successful Beginning Band Musician (GIA) – make sure you purchase the book for your instrument
Sheet music stand (for home practice)
Instrument tuner: *Strings: See in your supplies list *Band: See in your supplies list
Pencil (keep in your folder at all times)
Music Folder – provided by Frost MS
Name Tag - put on your case

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Flute

Flute in good working order
Case
Cleaning rod and cloth/swab
Tuner: CLICK HERE (Tuner + Cable)

Clarinet

Clarinet in good working order
Case
Cleaning swab
Reeds: size 2.5 (have 5 or more at all times)
Cork grease
Mouthpiece cap
Tuner: CLICK HERE (Tuner + Cable)

Alto Saxophone

Saxophone in good working order
Case
Reeds: size 2.5 (have 5 or more at all times)
Cork grease
Mouthpiece cap
Neck strap
Cleaning swab/cloth
Tuner: CLICK HERE (Tuner + Cable)

French Horn: MUST BE A "DOUBLE HORN" (NO SINGLE HORN)

French horn in good working order: May use school instrument, but needs to be taken back and forth from home to school.
Case
Mouthpiece CLICK HERE
Mouthpiece Case CLICK HERE
Rotor oil CLICK HERE
Slide grease CLICK HERE
Tuner: CLICK HERE (Tuner + Cable)
**Student will need to bring back and forth to school: Mouthpiece, Mouthpiece pouch, Rotor Oil and Slide Grease

Trumpet

Trumpet in good working order
Case
Mouthpiece: 7c or 3c (Rais/Van Ham recommendation 3c)
Valve oil
Slide grease
Tuner: CLICK HERE (Tuner + Cable)

Trombone

Trombone in good working order
Case
Mouthpiece
Slide oil (or slide cream with water spray bottle- Small)
Tuner: CLICK HERE (Tuner + Cable)

Euphonium

Euphonium in good working order: If we have extra, one for home use and one for school use
Case
Mouthpiece
Mouthpiece Pouch CLICK HERE
Valve oil
Slide grease
Tuner: CLICK HERE (Tuner + Cable)

Tuba

Tuba: Will be provided for home use and school use. Student will bring mouthpiece/supplies back and forth to school.
Case
Mouthpiece CLICK HERE
Mouthpiece pouch CLICK HERE
Valve oil
Slide grease
Tuner: CLICK HERE (Tuner + Cable)
**Student will need to bring back and forth to school: Mouthpiece, Mouthpiece pouch, Valve Oil and Slide Grease

Percussion

Label all sticks/mallets with your name
Stick bag
Snare drum sticks: Vic Firth SD1 General or equivalent
Rubber mallets
Yarn mallets
Timpani mallets
Hard plastic mallets
6"–8" drum pad – label with your name Example 1
Bell kit: leave at home to practice on (check Facebook Marketplace – much cheaper, $50–$100)
EXAMPLE: Steve Weiss Music (Percussion Specialty): Example 1
Guitar Center also does carry a lot of these sticks/mallets/stick bag.

🎻 Frost Middle School Orchestra – Supply List

Supplies for All Students

String Basics Book 1 (Kjos) for your instrument
Sheet music stand (for home practice)
Tuner/Metronome:
- Violin/Viola Recommendation: Rechargeable Clip-On Tuner
- Cello/Bass Recommendation: D’Addario Eclipse Clip-On Tuner
- (Both options available in rechargeable or battery-powered models. These clip directly to the bridge of the instrument.)
Pencil (keep in instrument case)
Music folder (provided by school)

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ROSIN:

Rental/Purchased instruments from a music store will provide a rosin for your student's instrument. If you already have your own instrument, they will need rosin. Here is a list of various rosin brands that are all acceptable.

Violin / Viola / Cello Rosin ($3–$15 range)

Fiddlershop:
- Fiddlerman Select Dark Rosin – $3.11 Hoffmann Strings, Ltd.+9Fiddlershop+9Reddit+9The Violinlemur music+1
- Holstein Premium Rosin – $12.00 Fiddlershop+1
- Jade Rosin (for Violin, Viola, Cello) – $10.95 CodaBow+9Fiddlershop+9Austin's Violin Shop+9
- D’Addario Natural Light or Dark Rosin – $5.99 each Reddit+3Fiddlershop+3lemur music+3
- D’Addario Natural Rosin With Guard – $10.99 Hoffmann Strings, Ltd.+8Fiddlershop+8Austin's Violin Shop+8
- Kaplan Artcraft Light or Dark Rosin – $8.99 Fiddlershop+1
- D’Addario Clarity Hypoallergenic Rosin – $14.99 Fiddlershop
- Pirastro Obligato Violin Rosin – $14.45 violins.com+7Fiddlershop+7Austin's Violin Shop+7
- W.E. Hill & Sons Dark Rosin – $14.99 Reddit+8Fiddlershop+8violins.com+8
violins.com:
- Bernardel Rosin (France) – $12.00 Reddit+3violins.com+3Fiddlershop+3
- Hill Rosin (W.E. Hill & Sons) – $15.00 violins.com
- Jade Rosin – $12.95 Hoffmann Strings, Ltd.+3violins.com+3Fiddlershop+3
- LVS Dark Rosin – $3.00 violins.com
- Magic Rosin – $16.00 (slightly above but noted) violins.com+1
austin’s violin shop:
- Hidersine 1V Rosin (Violin/Viola) – $9.45 The Violin+3Austin's Violin Shop+3Amazon+3
- Pirastro Schwarz – $12.00 Fiddlershop+3Austin's Violin Shop+3Reddit+3
- Millant‑Deroux Rosin – $12.60 Austin's Violin Shop
- Kaplan Premium Rosin with Case – $12.99 goembarc.com+9Austin's Violin Shop+9Amazon+9
- L’Opera Jade Rosin – $13.99–$15.99 The Violin+3Austin's Violin Shop+3Fiddlershop+3

Double Bass Rosin ($9–$20 range)

lemurmusic:
- Upton Bass Rosin – Maple Original / Honey / Maple Plus – $16.80 each lemur music
- Jade Bass Rosin – $17.50 lemur music+1
- Kolstein Ultra Bass Rosin – $19.50 lemur music+1
- Pop’s Bass Rosin – $16.99 lemur music+1
- Pirastro Double Bass Rosin – $19.00 lemur music+2Austin's Violin Shop+2
violins.com:
- Carlsson Bass Rosin – $15.00 violins.com
- Pop’s Bass Rosin – $15.00 violins.com

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INSTRUMENTS:
Violin

4/4 size violin
Bow
Shoulder rest
Rosin
Cleaning cloth

Viola

14.5"–15" size viola
Bow
Shoulder rest
Rosin
Cleaning cloth

Cello: Instruments stay at home, use school instrument

4/4 size cello
Bow
Seat strap end pin stop
Rosin

Bass: Instruments stay at home, use school instrument

3/4 size bass
French or German bow (student choice/availability)
Rock stop
Rosin

Marshall Music: CLICK HERE
Orchestra Store: Click Here
Band Store: Click Here

Sweetwater Music: Frost Music Specialty RENTALS: CLICK HERE
Frost MS Music Store (Has all your needs specifically for the Frost Music Program): Click Here

Cameron's Music: Click Here

McCourt's Music: Click Here

Baroque Violin: Click Here

Shar Music: Click Here

One of the most important factors in a student’s success in music is having a good quality instrument. A well-made instrument allows students to develop proper technique, produce a beautiful tone, and enjoy a much more positive playing experience. In contrast, instruments purchased from big-box retailers or websites that sell everything from clothes to electronics are often referred to as VSO (Violin-Shaped Objects) or BSO (Band-Shaped Objects). These instruments may look like real instruments, but they are often built with poor-quality materials and assembled without proper craftsmanship.

Although their low price tags may seem tempting, these instruments almost always create more problems than they solve. Many arrive poorly set up, with bridges, keys, or strings that do not fit or function properly. Students frequently struggle to produce a clear sound, which can lead to frustration, discouragement, and slower progress in class. Parents often discover that these “bargain” instruments quickly need expensive repairs, and in many cases, the repair costs exceed the original price of the instrument itself. What initially seemed like a money-saver ends up costing more in the long run—both financially and in lost learning opportunities.

For these reasons, we strongly encourage families to obtain instruments through trusted, professional music vendors. Our program works closely with companies such as Marshall Music, Cameron Music, Sweetwater Music, Shar Music, Baroque Violin, Anderson Music, and McCourts Music. These vendors specialize in instruments for students and professionals, and their products are backed by support for maintenance and repair. If your student ever experiences an issue, these shops offer quick turnaround times so the instrument can be back in their hands without causing them to fall behind in class.

By choosing a reputable vendor, you’re ensuring that your child has an instrument that is reliable, responsive, and capable of growing with them as their skills develop. More importantly, you’re giving them the chance to experience the joy of making music without the unnecessary struggles caused by poor equipment. A quality instrument is an investment not only in your child’s musical journey but also in their confidence, motivation, and long-term success.