Band instrument tryout

[IowaMom]

Please feel free to move this to schools if you feel that is where this should go. My DD will be in 5th grade next year, which is when they start band if they choose to play an instrument.  Next week they are going to let the kids "try out" the instruments, to see if they like any of them and which one suits them.  I've contacted the nurse and band teacher, and have been told that they do this every year and have never had any issues with allergies (obviously my concern is my DD using the mouthpiece of an instrument a kiddo who just ate a PB sandwich blew thru).  She sent me the link to the cleaner that they use in between each student, and has offered to let her be the first to try everything out.  Does anyone else have any experience with this situation?  What are your thoughts on doing this safely? Thanks so much!!!

[CMdeux]

I know that Mac has a lot of great tips about this, and yellow probably would, too.


HTH!   

[hezzier]

DS decided not to try any instruments, but our plan was to go in before school started so he would be the first student to try any instruments.  I don't remember what the cleaning process was though.

[PurpleCat]

My DD did that in 5th grade.  She tried the flute, clarinet, and saxophone and ended up choosing the flute.  She was first, even so, they cleaned the instrument (I approved the ingredients ahead) right in front of her and they gave her her own reed to use for trying.

She was fine and enjoyed her year of band.

[Macabre]

Oooh--we have a thread on this. I don't know when I can look for it. I'll do a quick look and see if that turns up gold.

[PurpleCat]

I found it Mac!

Instruments in music class

[Macabre]

Thanks PC!

[yelloww]

Brass instruments are easier to sanitize. Obviously for the woodwinds, they'd be changing the reeds out for everyone and wiping down the mouthpiece. Just make sure your kid is first to try the instruments she's most interested in that day.

None of this is an issue if she wants to play drums...

Try out day is really like the "band sorting hat" (a la Harry Potter) and kids do gravitate to the instruments they click with the most.

If your dd goes with a brass instrument, make sure you get a silver mouthpiece and not a nickel plated one- especially if they are atopic at all. My ds has played on a silver mouthpiece since 4th or 5th grade and he recently has started having issues with his skin because of gobs of saliva between the mouthpiece and his skin. However, he plays tuba in multiple groups outside of school, so he isn't giving his skin time to relax. But that's extreme- there are some days where he's playing 5-7 hours a day.

If or when she gets to marching band, pm me- we can help you navigate all of that.

[IowaMom]

Thank you everyone for your support! It went smoothly.  They sanitized everything, and let her try out before anyone else.  Sounds like we may have a Clarinet player next year!! Thanks again.