The flute is a woodwind instrument and plays the highest notes in the woodwind family. The earliest flutes were hollow bones used by cavemen, but flutes are now made of silver alloy. The best flute players have a fairly flat upper lip with no "tear drop" in the center.

Other Considerations: Students with double-jointed fingers should avoid selecting flute as double-jointedness can cause lack of agility in the fingers.

10% of students will be selected for FLUTE.

FLUTE PERSONALITY: Conscientious

​The oboe is similar in its appearance to a clarinet, but it is played using a “double reed” instead of a single reed and mouthpiece. Selection of oboe players is EXTREMELY limited. VERY few will actually be selected for oboe.

Physical Characteristics: Students with profound overbites or underbites would have EXTREME difficulties producing good sounds on the oboe since the embouchure (mouth position) requires equal pressure on both sides of the reed at the same placement.

Other Considerations: Because the oboe is such an unique instrument to master, only students with high academic performance records will be considered. Students who choose (and are selected) to play oboe are REQUIRED to take weekly private lessons with the applied lesson teacher at CTMS. Oboe students require a special kind of reed that is hand-made by their lesson teacher. Students are required to maintain a supply of 3-4 high-quality reeds at ALL times. Private lessons cost $25.00 per week and scholarships are available based on financial need and demonstration of diligent work ethic. Students with a history of disciplinary trouble will NOT be considered for oboe.

The financial trade-off for having to take lessons and keep a stock of working reeds is that CTMS provides oboes for students at a cost of $50 rental per semester for routine maintenance.

2% of students will be selected for OBOE.

OBOE PERSONALITY: Studious

It is the larger, lower sounding double reed instrument. The bassoon is very unique and VERY few students will be selected to play Bassoon.

Physical Characteristics: A slight overbite is okay for students wishing to play bassoon, however, a student with an underbite should avoid bassoon. Agile thumbs is a necessity for playing bassoon proficiently as well as a medium or greater hand span.

Other Considerations: Like the oboe, the bassoon is such a unique instrument, only students with high academic performance records will be considered. Students who choose (and are selected) to play bassoon are REQUIRED to take weekly private lessons with the applied lesson teacher at CTMS. Bassoon students require a special kind of reed that is hand-made by their lesson teacher. Students are required to maintain a supply of 3-4 high-quality reeds at ALL times. Private lessons cost $25.00 per week and scholarships are available based on financial need and demonstration of diligent work ethic.

Again, the financial trade-off for having to take lessons and keep a stock of working reeds is that CTMS provides bassoons for students at a cost of $50 rental per semester for routine maintenance.

2% of students will be selected for BASSOON

BASSOON PERSONALITY: Focu

The clarinet uses a “single reed” and a mouthpiece to produce the sound. It has a very wide range of notes, meaning it can play very high notes and low notes. The clarinet typically plays the melody in band music and about 20% of our beginner band students will play it! Willingness to purchase or rent a director-recommended clarinet is a MUST! Unfortunately, there are some clarinets on the market whose poor design and craftsmanship will make it next to impossible for your student to succeed. We can help you avoid that pitfall.

Physical Characteristics: One necessity of clarinet tone production is the ability to make the chin flat. Orthodontia is okay, but if a student has an extremely rounded bottom row of teeth, the mouthpiece will be hard to place in the proper position for tone production.

Other Considerations: Instruction in clarinet can be meticulous. Students who are able to focus on and perform a detailed series of instructions could do well on clarinet. Students who have difficulty remembering a series of instructions should avoid playing clarinet. Clarinet players are also responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds.

20% of students will be selected for CLARINET

CLARINET PERSONALITY: Focused

The alto saxophone gives the impression of being both a brass AND woodwind instrument, however it is indeed considered a woodwind instrument. The alto saxophone (which uses a single reed like the clarinet) is a very popular instrument like flute and only a few students will be chosen to play it.

Physical Characteristics: Since the balance of the saxophone is maintained by the use of a neck strap, it is extremely important that students be able to sit up completely straight when asked to.

Other Considerations: Saxophone players are responsible for maintaining a working stock of 4-6 quality reeds. Alto Saxophone students will have the opportunity after their first year of instruction to be considered for Tenor Sax or Baritone Sax (based on their proven musical and behavioral abilities while in alto saxophone class).

6% of students will be selected for SAXOPHONE

SAXOPHONE PERSONALITY: Mellow

The trumpet is the smallest member of the brass family. The sound on trumpet is produced by buzzing into a small mouthpiece.

Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome at first to a trumpet player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces. A slight overbite is okay, but an underbite can severely hinder progress on trumpet. Trumpet players come in all shapes and sizes.

Other Considerations: Trumpet parts usually have the melody (recognizable) part, therefore students who choose and are selected for trumpet should exhibit a confident demeanor, strong personality, and demonstrate a high level of self-motivation.

12% of students will be selected for TRUMPET

TRUMPET PERSONALITY: Confident