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Frequently Asked Questions about Joining the Clare Bands
Does my student have to know how to play an instrument?
Of course not! We will learn to play our instruments together. Students will learn to manage their time, overcome challenges with learning something new, and work together as we become an ensemble.
How does Sixth Grade Band work?
Can my student be in both the band and activity rotation classes?
They will be eligible for activity rotation during sixth, seventh and eighth grades in some capacity. Exactly what that looks like is determined by the CMS Master Schedule. Our band students over the course of their middle school experience will get Shop, Art, Drama and Gym, just maybe not each year or in sixth grade definitely.
Is Band a financial obligation?
How do we get an instrument?
Clare Bands have terrific partnerships with Marshall Music in Traverse City & Herter Music in Bay City. Each of them operates a reputable state-wide music business that specializes in school music service. Please do not rent or purchase any instruments until Mr. Lowe has confirmed the instrument assignment.
Should we rent or buy an instrument?
When does it start? How long do I have to order the instrument?
Do I have to rent through your preferred music providers?
I cannot tell you exactly where to go to rent or purchase your student’s instrument, but I have made things easier by partnering with two reputable state-wide music business that specializes in school music service. I hesitate to have you purchase your student’s instrument from online stores or warehouses.
How much does each instrument cost?
Click HERE to view a chart that will help you make an informed decision.
Is there another way to purchase?
If you aren't interested or able to participate in a rent-to-own plan, I highly encourage looking on
Reputable brands to look for:
Please email me with links to instruments you might find before making your rental or purchase, if not from Marshall or Herter Music. I am happy to guide you towards a quality instrument that will last throughout your student’s musical journey.
What instruments are played in Sixth Grade Band?
Please click on the following instruments to see what is offered in band class:
Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Percussion (Mallets & Drums)
Is there a summer band camp my student must attend?
There is no summer practice. Diminishing student availability made summer practices inefficient once the school year started.
How do I make an informed decision when helping my student choose which instrument to try?
You can also click HERE for a great article about choosing the correct instrument.
After you make your selections, we will start testing your student with his/her top 3 choices and go from there to make sure your student arrives at the most suitable instrument.
What supplies do we need besides an instrument?
Parents should receive a green Habits of a Successful Beginning Band Musician method book at the time of rental. I highly encourage the purchase of a music stand if you don't already own one; it will make home practice much easier.
Clarinet and Saxophone players should have:
Will we need instruments the first day of School?
We will go over classroom procedures and expectations, but your student joined band to play!
We want to do that during the very first week of school!
Can parents volunteer to help make copies, organize fundraisers, etc.?
Of course!!! Teamwork makes the dream work!!! The Band is what WE make it. Our Band Boosters welcome and encourage participation from parents, guardians and interested parties of ALL band members. Feel free to click the Boosters tab at the top of this page.
Of course not! We will learn to play our instruments together. Students will learn to manage their time, overcome challenges with learning something new, and work together as we become an ensemble.
How does Sixth Grade Band work?
- Sixth grade band is a class that meets during the school day only.
- Since it is a class, we will be on instruments during the first week of school!
- A total of four concerts occur outside the school day, one each quarter.
Can my student be in both the band and activity rotation classes?
They will be eligible for activity rotation during sixth, seventh and eighth grades in some capacity. Exactly what that looks like is determined by the CMS Master Schedule. Our band students over the course of their middle school experience will get Shop, Art, Drama and Gym, just maybe not each year or in sixth grade definitely.
Is Band a financial obligation?
- For the vast majority of families: Yes, there is a cost involved in being in band. Think of this as investing in your student's music education. Instruments require maintenance, mouthpieces, reeds, valve oil, etc.
- Please note that we want ALL students to be able to participate in the band and will work with all families to make that happen. We will not allow finances to keep a student out of the band.
How do we get an instrument?
Clare Bands have terrific partnerships with Marshall Music in Traverse City & Herter Music in Bay City. Each of them operates a reputable state-wide music business that specializes in school music service. Please do not rent or purchase any instruments until Mr. Lowe has confirmed the instrument assignment.
Should we rent or buy an instrument?
- My personal opinion is rent first.
- If your student does not enjoy the class or if we decide to switch instruments, you will not be burdened with the process of having to find someone to buy it if you are renting the instrument. We will simply return it back to the music store.
- If your student enjoys the class and is going to stick with band through high school, you should look into purchasing an instrument at that time.
- Our partners at Marshall Music and Herter Music implement a "rent to own" program - depending upon the instrument, rental costs are somewhere between $35-90 per month. The monthly rate goes toward the purchase of your student's instrument.
When does it start? How long do I have to order the instrument?
- Rentals will be sent to the school for August delivery.
- Your rental payments go toward the purchase of the instrument.
- Rental agreements are in effect for as long as you are in possession of the instrument.
- You can cancel at any time.
- At the end of the school year as your student remains in band, you should keep the instrument as returning it would start a brand new contract with the music company.
Do I have to rent through your preferred music providers?
I cannot tell you exactly where to go to rent or purchase your student’s instrument, but I have made things easier by partnering with two reputable state-wide music business that specializes in school music service. I hesitate to have you purchase your student’s instrument from online stores or warehouses.
- Instruments purchased from online warehouses and outlets, in my experience, are not made of the highest quality material
- You may find your student having difficulty through no fault of their own - it may be the instrument’s deficiency.
- Marshall Music and Herter Music each have an exceptional repair staff that will work on your student's instrument as part of your rental agreement.
- Online stores do not have this service.
- Our partners at Marshall and Herter may not be able to work on these instruments due to the quality of manufacture.
How much does each instrument cost?
Click HERE to view a chart that will help you make an informed decision.
Is there another way to purchase?
If you aren't interested or able to participate in a rent-to-own plan, I highly encourage looking on
- Facebook Marketplace
- eBay, or
- Craig's List
Reputable brands to look for:
- Buescher
- Bundy
- Conn
- King
- Ludwig
- Martin
- Olds
- Selmer
- Yamaha
Please email me with links to instruments you might find before making your rental or purchase, if not from Marshall or Herter Music. I am happy to guide you towards a quality instrument that will last throughout your student’s musical journey.
What instruments are played in Sixth Grade Band?
Please click on the following instruments to see what is offered in band class:
Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Baritone, Percussion (Mallets & Drums)
Is there a summer band camp my student must attend?
There is no summer practice. Diminishing student availability made summer practices inefficient once the school year started.
How do I make an informed decision when helping my student choose which instrument to try?
You can also click HERE for a great article about choosing the correct instrument.
After you make your selections, we will start testing your student with his/her top 3 choices and go from there to make sure your student arrives at the most suitable instrument.
What supplies do we need besides an instrument?
Parents should receive a green Habits of a Successful Beginning Band Musician method book at the time of rental. I highly encourage the purchase of a music stand if you don't already own one; it will make home practice much easier.
Clarinet and Saxophone players should have:
- Four (4) reeds and a reed case
- Small mouthpiece brush
- Small bottle of valve oil
- Mouthpiece brush in their case
- snare drum sticks
- bell mallets
- ability to add to their collection as they proceed through the band program.
Will we need instruments the first day of School?
We will go over classroom procedures and expectations, but your student joined band to play!
We want to do that during the very first week of school!
Can parents volunteer to help make copies, organize fundraisers, etc.?
Of course!!! Teamwork makes the dream work!!! The Band is what WE make it. Our Band Boosters welcome and encourage participation from parents, guardians and interested parties of ALL band members. Feel free to click the Boosters tab at the top of this page.
