Tharp Band

Announcements

PAW DAY
Tuesday, August 12th from 8-11am and 12pm-2pm
Make sure you stop by the Band room, and if you ordered an instrument from a local music store

Evening Concert Dates for the 2025-2026 School Year
(more specific information coming soon)

Thursday, November 6, 6pm and 7pm @Tharp
Thursday, April 9, 7pm @ Davidson High School

Forms & Links

The Bands

General Information

SUPPLIES

In addition to their instrument, your child will need a few essential items for each band class. These items may come with your instrument rental (please ask your instrument provider). If they are not included with the instrument rental, you can order them at the same time you order your instrument with a local instrument rental company, or you may purchase them separately at a music store. Certain items you will need to continue to replenish throughout the year as needed (i.e. reeds and valve oil)

What do I need for band? Most of the items below can be purchased at any music store.

FLUTES:

Cleaning Rod
Cleaning cloth (can be a small handkerchief)
METHOD BOOK: Measures of Success Book 1
3-ring binder or folder to hold music
pencil
Music Stand: HIGHLY recommended for home practice

OBOES:

Oboe Swab (cleaning cloth)
2 good reeds
Reed Case (not required, but HIGHLY recommended to protect reeds)
Cork Grease
Thumb Eez – recommended for comfort
Water container (can be an old prescription bottle)
METHOD BOOK: Measures of Success Book 1
3-ring binder or folder to hold music
pencil
Music Stand: HIGHLY recommended for home practice

BASSOONS:

Bassoon Swab (cleaning cloth)
2 good reeds (Brand: Marlin Lesher or Jones size medium soft)
Bassoon Reed Case (not required, but HIGHLY recommended to protect reeds)
Cork Grease
METHOD BOOK: Measures of Success Book 1 for bassoon
1” binder (separate from their academic binder); notebook paper is NOT necessary
Pencil
Music Stand: HIGHLY recommended for home practice

CLARINETS:

Clarinet Swab (cleaning cloth)
Mouthpiece Cap
Thumb Eez – recommended for comfort
3 good reeds (Mitchell Lurie size 2 1/2)
Reed Guard (not required, but HIGHLY recommended to protect reeds)
Cork Grease
3-ring binder or folder to hold music
METHOD BOOK: Measures of Success Book 1
pencil
Music Stand: HIGHLY recommended for home practice

SAXOPHONES:

Saxophone Swab (cleaning cloth) – Silk swab preferred!
Mouthpiece Cap
End Cap
Neck Strap – padded preferred for comfort
3 good reeds (Rico Royal size 2 1/2 or LaVoz Medium)
Reed Guard (not required, but HIGHLY recommended to protect reeds)
Cork Grease
METHOD BOOK: Measures of Success Book 1
3-ring binder or folder to hold music
pencil
Music Stand: HIGHLY recommended for home practice

TRUMPETS:

5C trumpet mouthpiece
Valve Oil – Al Cass preferred
Tuning Slide Grease – Conn preferred
Mouthpiece Brush
METHOD BOOK: Measures of Success Book 1
3-ring binder or folder to hold music
pencil
Music Stand: HIGHLY recommended for home practice

FRENCH HORNS:

C4 Girdinelli horn mouthpiece
Rotor Oil – Al Cass preferred)
Tuning Slide Grease – Conn preferred
Mouthpiece Brush
METHOD BOOK: Measures of Success Book 1
3-ring binder or folder to hold music
pencil
Music Stand: HIGHLY recommended for home practice

TROMBONES:

6 1/2 AL trombone mouthpiece
Slide Oil – Liquid slide cream preferred
Tuning Slide Grease – Conn preferred
Mouthpiece Brush
METHOD BOOK: Measures of Success Book 1
3-ring binder or folder to hold music
pencil
Music Stand: HIGHLY recommended for home practice

BARITONES:

6 1/2 AL baritone mouthpiece
Valve Oil – Al Cass preferred
Tuning Slide Grease – Conn preferred
Mouthpiece Brush
Mouthpiece Pouch
METHOD BOOK: Measures of Success Book 1
3-ring binder or folder to hold music
pencil
Music Stand: HIGHLY recommended for home practice

TUBAS:

Helleburg beginning tuba mouthpiece
Mouthpiece pouch
Mouthpiece brush
METHOD BOOK: Measures of Success Book 1
3-ring binder or folder to hold music
pencil
Music Stand: HIGHLY recommended for home practice

PERCUSSION:

Xylophone kit – Keyboard, snare pad, bell stand, mallets, and snare sticks
METHOD BOOK: A Fresh Approach for the Beginning Percussion Class Book 1
3-ring binder or folder to hold music
pencil
Music Stand: HIGHLY recommended for home practice

Practice Logs

Practice logs begin the week of September 18! Practice Logs are a required part of the band grade in Tharp Band. How Does It Work? Practice Log Links are located in Canvas. We will download the weekly practice log and discuss the Assignment together every Monday during band class. The assignment is written on the log, so even if a student is absent on Monday, they can still see what they should practice for the week. The practice log is a “daily checklist”. Students should check mark the items they practiced and record the amount of time practiced each day. At the end of the week, a parent needs to sign and then it is submitted to Canvas on Monday of the following week. We will take class time every Monday to submit the weekly practice log. How Long Do I Practice? Students are required to practice a minimum of 60 minutes each week (3 days of 20 minutes). Percussionists should split their time between bells and pad as indicated on the weekly practice log. How Are Practice Logs Graded? Practice logs are 6 points each week.

2 Points for each day they practice 20 minutes (students will get 1 point for a day of practice that is less than 20 minutes)
+1/2 point for each day practice day beyond 3 days (Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7 of practice will each receive +1/2 point). There is a possibility of 2 extra credit points for every practice log.

How Do Practice Logs Get Submitted? All practice logs are due to Canvas the following Monday. Please get them signed Sunday evening so you can submit on time. ALL practice logs MUST be signed by an adult to receive any points. DO NOT submit a practice log without a parent signature. Parents can sign with a finger or stylus – please no typed signatures. Private Lessons? If your child takes private lessons on their band instrument, they can count that lesson time as a day of practice. They should check the box that says “Private Lesson” on the checklist for that day.

Other FAQ’s

All practice sheets MUST be signed by a guardian for students to receive credit.
If a student practices more than 3 days, they will receive extra credit.
Percussionists should practice both bells and pad each week (as indicated by their practice log)
I DO accept all late practice logs without penalty as long as the student did the practice (you cannot make up practice time on a different week). Students are STRONGLY encouraged to develop a habit of turning them in weekly.
If a student cannot practice during the week (due to illness, vacation, instrument repair), the student should write “REPAIR” or “SICK” on the practice log, get it signed by an adult, and submit on time.

Announcements

Forms & Links

The Staff

The Bands

General Information

SUPPLIES

What do I need for band? Most of the items below can be purchased at any music store.

Practice Logs

Other FAQ’s

BAND

CHOIR

ORCHESTRA

THEATER

VISUAL ARTS