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​Welcome to the Bathurst Community Concert Band Outreach section! 
​We're excited to see you here and, we have TONS of information & resources for people to continue building their love of music toward a possible future with a band instrument!
What's it like to be in band?
What are parents saying about their kids being in band?
Is band the right place for my child?

​FLUTE (WOODWIND FAMILY)

The flute plays the highest notes in the woodwind family and is the only one played by blowing across a hole. The earliest flutes were hollow bones used by cavemen. Today's flute is made of silver alloy. The best flute players have a rather flat upper lip with no "tear drop" in the center.
Learn a lot more about the flute by clicking here.

OBOE & BASSOON (WOODWIND FAMILY)

Both the oboe and bassoon have two thin flat pieces of wood sewn together (double reed) that goes into the instrument. The bassoon has a "seat strap" that the player sits upon and only has to balance the instrument rather than hold it up. These double reed instruments are made of either plastic or wood. They have a unique sound and are some of the more challenging instruments in the band. Instruments are provided by the school, but availability is very limited. Must have a good ear for music & an outstanding academic record. Piano experience is helpful.  Due to the unique nature of these instruments, it is suggested that students playing these instruments take weekly private lessons.  Instrument availability is limited. 

Learn a lot more about the bassoon by clicking here.
Learn a lot more about the oboe by clicking here.

CLARINET (WOODWIND FAMILY)

The clarinet has a single, flat piece of wood (reed) attached to a hollow mouthpiece. The instrument itself is made of wood. It has a remarkable range from low to high sounds and from loud to soft.  Good for those students who did well with the recorder in elementary music. Students who are double-jointed are NOT good candidates for the clarinet.
Learn a lot more about the clarinet by clicking here.

SAXOPHONE (WOODWIND FAMILY)

A relatively recent invention (1840) compared to the other instruments, the saxophone combines the single reed of the clarinet and the metal body of the brass instruments. Its mellow sounds blend well with both woodwinds or brasses. The saxophone is an important member of the jazz band. Saxophones must be rented or purchased from a music company. Students who are double jointed are NOT good candidates for saxophone. Enrollment can be limited, and we sometimes have a lottery system to decide who gets to play this instrument.
Learn a lot more about the saxophone by clicking here.

TRUMPET (BRASS FAMILY)

The trumpet, with its high-pitched brilliant tone, is the leader of the brass family. A trumpet player can produce all the notes of the scale by pressing the valves and changing the lip vibration speed. The best trumpet players tend to have smaller sized lips, but this is not a rule. The trumpet is also an important member of jazz bands.
​Learn a lot more about the trumpet by clicking here.

FRENCH HORN (BRASS FAMILY)

The French Horn is made from 12-16 feet of brass tubing circled around and around. The tone is very mellow. In addition to using the lips and valves to change the pitch, the player places a hand in the bell to sometimes give a muted effect. Instruments are provided by the school, but very limited availability. Must have a good ear for music & an outstanding academic record. Piano experience is helpful. Due to the unique nature of this instrument, it is suggested that students playing this instrument take weekly private lessons. 
​Learn a lot more about the French horn by clicking here.

TROMBONE (BRASS FAMILY)

This instrument sounds very brassy like the trumpet, but it makes a lower sound. The player changes tones by sliding one tube in and out of the other, rather than by pressing valves. The trombone is also an important member of jazz bands.
​​Learn a lot more about the trombone by clicking here.

EUPHONIUM/BARITONE (BRASS FAMILY)

Like a mini-tuba, the euphonium plays the same notes as the trombone, but has a rounder, more mellow sound. Due to its valves, it can play faster passages of music with more smoothness and ease. 
​Learn a lot more about the euphonium/baritone by clicking here.

TUBA (BRASS FAMILY)

The tuba is the largest and the lowest of the band instruments. Its bass voice gives the deep, low tones that are the foundation of the band. When unwound, a tuba is 16 feet long. Instruments are provided by the school, but with limited availability. You do not have to hold it, it sits on the seat of the chair. Sometimes there are smaller tubas for beginners, as well as some tubas to leave at home for home practice.
​Learn a lot more about the tuba by clicking here.

PERCUSSION

The percussion section of the band keeps the beat, builds excitement and adds color to the band. A percussionist does not just play drums; he/she plays bells, xylophone, timpani, cymbals, triangle, and many other instruments (all school-owned). Each member of the percussion section must work to create the aural illusion of one giant percussion instrument. A 6th grade Percussion Kit must be rented or purchased from a music company. It consists of a Practice Pad, Bells, stand for both, and sticks and mallets. Enrollment is limited, and we have a lottery system to decide who gets to play this instrument. Due to the unique nature of these instruments, it is suggested that students playing these instruments take weekly private lessons. 
​Learn a lot more about keyboard percussion by clicking here.
Learn a lot more about timpani by clicking here.
​Learn a lot more about drums by clicking here.