Music Matters - It's Back to School Time!

By Lori Supinie
President Senseney Music, Inc.

Did your summer whiz by in a blur? No doubt it did and you’re faced with the never ending list of back to school
supplies for your students: notebooks, crayons, folders, shoes, etc. etc. etc.! If your student is in the school band or orchestra program, they’ll need some items to get them started, as well.

Reed instruments will probably need new reeds – for most students (other than beginners) a package of 6-10 reeds should last them at least the semester, if not the whole year. How about their swabs? They can get pretty nasty after a year or two and are relatively inexpensive to replace. Likewise, brass instrument players can use new lubricants (valve or slide oils) or polishing cloths. String players may need new rosin or new strings on their instrument as they just wear out over time with use. Percussionists can use new sticks or mallets. A stick bag is handy to carry and keep track of them.

How about the instruments? If you own your instrument now is the time to get it into the repair shop! Most repair shops are extremely busy in the summer, but you may be able to schedule a future appointment if the instrument is playable. Good, regular maintenance is important in protecting your investment, like a car or a home. Ask your student if there were any problems at the end of the school year and have them check it out now if they haven’t been practicing regularly this summer . If you’re renting an instrument and have kept it over the
summer, your maintenance coverage should take care of any problems you’re having.

For students in elementary and middle school, a class method book is usually required. Generally, but not always, the students will move up a level with each school year. Senseney Music keeps extensive lists of music teachers and the books they require for band or orchestra class for each grade in case you lose that note from the director!

If you have a beginner starting band or orchestra, feel free to bring them into Senseney Music for a “test drive” of the standard beginner instruments. Our staff of professional music educators will try them out and help them evaluate what they feel they will be most successful at. What a great time for your child – they are in for a great experience which will impact them positively for the rest of their lives!!