• Beginners/New DCMS Orchestra Members: Thank you for meeting with us for your instrument interviews. We are excited to start on this new journey with you as you learn your instrument. Please check below for information regarding supplies for Beginning Orchestra this year. Most supplies can be bought from the instrument rental companies (Lisle Violin Shop | Katy Violin Shop | Fishburn Violins). There are several other items to purchase from your favorite school supply store. We have provided Amazon links for ease of demonstrating products, but it should not be seen a promotion of the specifically linked product or of Amazon. Please check below, carefully, for your student’s needs.

     

     

    Returning Orchestra Members: I am excited to begin another successful year! You should have most of these supplies listed below. If you do not, you need to order whichever supplies you do not have. I am looking forward to another year of orchestra! 

     

    For ALL instruments - Easiest to get from the instrument rental companies

    • String Basics Book 1 and Book 2 for your specific instrument.
    • Folding music stand for home practice and off-campus performances
    • Metronome and Tuner or a combination machine (such as the Korg TM-60) OR a tuner and metronome phone/tablet app
    • Rosin (basses see below for specific type)

     

    Additional for Violin and Viola:

    • KUN or FOM collapsible shoulder rest that matches your instrument size

     

    Additional For Cello:

    • Rock stop/Endpin Anchor
    • Be sure that you have an adjustable bench (like this piano bench) or a chair without arms that puts you at a balanced seated height so that your knees are slightly lower than the hips when seated.

     

    Additional For Basses:

    • POPS Rosin (purple)
    • Rock stop/Endpin Anchor
    • A yoga block (like this one, 4”x 6” x 9”)
    • Adjustable/Foldable black stool (a few options are linked below).
      • Option 1 (pick a height that fits your student’s standing measurement from the floor to half way up the thigh)
      • Option 2 (available from Lisle or Fishburn for less than is listed on this Amazon link, you may call these rental stores and ask for the sliding, adjustable stool)
      • Option 3 – anything else, without arms, at the correct height for your student, that would be easily movable and transportable

     

    The rest you can get from your own house and/or your favorite office and school supply store.

    • Soft cloth for cleaning your instrument after use (a clean, old t-shirt works fine)
    • 1” thick, BLACK, hard cover, 3-ring binder (no transparent cover sleeves)
      • Pencil bag – inside the binder
      • One highlighter, any color – in the binder pencil bag
      • Two pencils with good erasers – in the binder pencil bag
      • Five-page dividers inside the binder (labeled: 1-Music Theory, 2-Scales & Arpeggios, 3-Current Repertoire; 4-Past Repertoire; 5-Grades & Forms)

     

    Instrument Vendor Websites:

    Lisle Violin Shop |Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass| Website Link

    Katy Violin Shop |Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass| Website Link

    Fishburn Violin Shop |Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass| Website Link

    **Do NOT purchase any instruments from Amazon, Walmart, etc. These instruments are of very poor quality and do not maintain their pitch.