As your student takes the next step in his or her musicianship, it is time to consider the next level of horn. Though beginner level horns are good for those starting out, they can be a hindrance for those continuing into high school and beyond. Beginner horns are designed to accommodate beginning players, but can be a very real obstacle for developing musicians in terms of proper tone quality, intonation, and response, not to mention the lesser quality instruments necessitating repairs more often. Because of this, a student may feel that they are inadequate when really it is the quality of the horn and not the ability of the player.

Below is a list of high quality instruments that we know will help take your student to the next level and beyond. These recommendations are made with the goal of helping your student musician reach his or her full playing potential.

Woodwinds


Flute

Brands
Altus
Powell Sonare
Wm. S Haynes Amadeus

Saxophone

Brands
Yamaha Alto
Selmer Paris

Mouthpieces
Vandoren AL3 & TL3
Selmer C*

Clarinet

Brands
Buffet R13
Yamaha CSVR
Uebel Advantage
Uebel Classic
(Would not recommend marching with a wooden clarinet)

Mouthpieces
Vandoren M30
Vandoren BD5

Ligature
Silverstein
Rovner Legacy LG-1R

Brass


Horn

Brands
Conn 8D
Yamaha YHR-661
Yamaha YHR-671
Holton H179

Mouthpieces
Schilke
Giardinelli
Yamaha

Trumpet

Brands
Bach Stradivarius
Yamaha Xeno Series

Mouthpieces
Yamaha 14C4
Hammond 5ML
Bach 3C

Trombone

Brands
Yamaha Xeno Series
Bach Stradivarius
Conn 88HO
Custom Shires
(F Attachment and Large bore highly recommended)

Mouthpieces
Schilke 51D
Bach 5G
Giddings Boreas