Registration Band Info
This website is for all parents and students coming to Leslie Thomas and those especially interested in band. If you are on the fence, and unsure if you want to join band, browse through the information and see what you think! Once students have their instruments at home, please do not open them until the first class! There are specific ways the instruments must be open.
Instrument Choices:
Students will have the following instruments to choose from for grade 6 band:
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Flute
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Clarinet
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Alto Saxophone (grade 7 & 8 only - must play clarinet first in grade 6)
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French Horn (grade 7 & 8 only - must play trumpet first in grade 6)
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Trumpet
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Trombone
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Euphonium/baritone (Tuba is optional in grade 8)
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Percussion (Must have piano background / be able to read notes)
Flute
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The only instrument you don’t blow directly into - blow across
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Plays melody lines or trills + countermelodies
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If you turn into the hulk when you get frustrated, this may not be the instrument for you (it can be the most challenging instrument to play)
Clarinet
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Can play low to super high
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Versatile - play the melody, harmony, countermelody, or super fun trills
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Tiny fingers? This may not be the instrument for you
Alto Saxophone
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3 sizes, played the same, but have different ranges
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Alto - smallest, highest of the 3
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Tenor - larger, lower
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Baritone - biggest, lowest
French Horn
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Responsible for sweeping lines in movie scores!
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Versatile - can play in both brass + woodwind ensembles
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A musical ear will be an asset for the French horn and a background in piano.
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French Horn can be the most challenging brass instrument to play
Videos
Percussion
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Students will play keyboard percussion (xylophone, bells) for the first few months
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Must be an organized person because you will end up playing the most instruments
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Because percussion is such a popular choice, percussion students will only be chosen if you have a piano background.
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Depending on how many students are in band, only 5-10 students will play percussion.
Ensembles!
Exploring music through instrument family ensembles—like woodwind, percussion, and brass groups—gives students a focused and rewarding experience. In a woodwind ensemble, players develop tone control, breath support, and blend as they navigate intricate harmonies. A percussion ensemble sharpens rhythm, coordination, and listening skills, offering students a chance to experiment with a wide variety of instruments and textures. Meanwhile, a brass ensemble builds strength, endurance, and precision, encouraging bold sound and teamwork. Each ensemble allows musicians to deepen their understanding of their instrument family while strengthening their confidence, collaboration, and musical independence.
An arrangement of Ghostbusters for woodwind players (piccolo flute, 2 flutes, alto flute, 3 clarinets, bass clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax, 2 tenor saxes, baritone sax). The instruments in bold are all instruments students can learn eventually, if they start an instrument in grade 6 band!
An arrangement of Mission Impossible, with all percussion instruments! There are many different percussion instruments here, but percussion students will be learning all of them at some point while they are a percussionist! Percussion instruments here- Xylophones, Marimbas, Bells, Drum set, Cow Bell, Congas, Cymbals, Tambourines, Shakers, Gongs, and more!
An arrangement of Flight of the Bumblebee for brass ensemble (one trumpet, one piccolo trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba)The instruments in bold are all instruments students can learn eventually, if they start an instrument in grade 6 band!!
Think you need instruments to make music? You are wrong! Take a look at the following video of Acadia University Percussion students making music out of chairs and sticks!