Sandusky Middle School
2130B Hayes Ave
Sandusky, OH 44870
Sandusky Middle School
Band Department
419-984-1096
Welcome to the wide world of bands at Sandusky City Schools. I hope you are as excited and ready
to start this musical adventure as we are to start it with you. There are several steps you must follow
to be part of the Sandusky Middle School Band.
These steps are:
A. Decide on an instrument:
You had the opportunity to test a few instruments out during school last week. Your top choices
were listed on the informational booklet you received. In most cases, the instrument listed first
should be your first consideration. As you may have read in the booklet, you be asked to consider
playing your 2nd choice to help fill-out the sound of our band.
B. Rent an instrument or fix up an older instrument. If you are using a personally owned
instrument, or are borrowing one, please show it to one of the band directors or take it to an
instrument repair shop. There is nothing more frustrating to young players than to be doing
everything right, but playing on equipment that is not working properly.
Below you will find a list of instrument brands we recommend and some music stores you may
contact about purchase, rental, or repair.
*Note-The instrument must be with you or available at your first lesson on June 11!
Instrument Brand Recommendations
This list is not all-inclusive, and if you have any questions about an instrument please contact us.
Flutes: Armstrong, Artley, Eastman, Gemeinhart, Selmer, Yamaha
Clarinets: Armstrong, Artley, Buffet, Noblet, Selmer, Vito, Yamaha
Saxophone: Armstrong, Bundy, Conn, King, Grassi, Selmer, Yamaha, Yanagisawa
Trumpet: Bach, Blessing, Bundy, Conn, Eastman, Getzen, Jupiter, King, Selmer, Yamaha
Trombone: Bach, Blessing, Bundy, Conn, Eastman, Getzen, King, Yamaha
Percussion Kits: Ludwig, Pearl, Tama, Yamaha
Here are some music stores that we trust, to contact about rental or repair:
Driscol Music, 445 Broadway Ave, Lorain, 440-244-1979
Educator’s Music, 13701 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, 216-226-6166
Forte Music, 212 Hancock St., Sandusky, 419-626-1200
http://fortemusic.biz/
Mossman Music 40 E. Main, Norwalk, 419-668-1010
Rettig Music, 26469 Center Ridge Rd, Westlake, 440-808-0900,
http://rettigmusic.com/
If you are looking to purchase an instrument try the phone book, newspaper, garage sales, family
member, friend, and pawn shops. In all cases, please be very cautious with what you are purchasing.
Know that a purchase from somewhere other than a music store may need some repairs or
adjustments, which may still save some money.
We DO NOT RECOMMEND instruments available at Walmart, other discount stores, or through
catalogs. Many times these instruments are not trusted instrument brands. Repairs, if needed, are the
greatest problem with off-brands. Often repair shops cannot repair off-brand instruments or
instruments which they do not sell. Refer to the list above for recommended instrument brands or
ask us.
C. Obtain the Tradition of Excellence (Book 1, Red) lesson book through your music store.
This may be included in the rental of your instrument, but you need to ask the music store to make
sure. Cost is about $10.00, and includes play-along CD/DVD (Percussion and French Horn books
will cost a little bit more).
D. Lessons and attendance. BEGINS JUNE 11 2010 THROUGH JULY 17, 2013, please check
and prepare your calendar. Lessons will be daily, Monday through Friday, and a music reading
class must be taken once per week. There is one large (full) band rehearsal per week. Please refer to
the chart below:
Saxophones
8:00-8:30 am
Percussion/Bassoon
8:30-9:00 am
Trombone/Baritone/Tuba
9:00-9:30 am
Clarinet
9:30-10:00 am
Trumpet/French Horn
10:00-10:30 am
Flute/Oboe
10:30-11:00 am
On Wednesdays, each lesson will go for an extra 30 minutes
Full Band - All Students
11:00-Noon (Thursdays only-Required)
We will be at the high school, please use the doors by the fitness center (door 5).
E. If there are conflicts with the above days and times, please contact us to discuss alternate
arrangements. If your student has interest in being in band, Summer Band is REQUIRED! You
cannot be in 7th grade band next year without having participated in Summer Band. If there is a
summer long conflict that does not allow the student to attend, speak with one of the band directors
to ensure enrollment for 7th grade band and arrange a way for the student to catch up. At the end of
July, a list of students continuing with band will be submitted for the upcoming school year.
F. We perform a concert on July 15 at 7:00 pm in the Washington Park Gazebo! More
information will be available as the date approaches.
G. Free Band Polo it will be ordered through Mr. Kennedy during the first week or two and
handed out a few days before the concert. It will be yours to wear at the July 15 gazebo concert and
throughout the school year. It is the reward for completing the summer program.
H. If you have any questions, please call Mr. Kennedy at 419-984-1096 (Band Office) or 419-9841599 (Direct to voicemail).
Thank you and I look forward to seeing you on June 11!
Matthew Kennedy
7th Grade Band Director
mkennedy@scs-k12.net