The clarinet uses a "single  reed" on a mouthpiece to produce the sound.  Physical Characteristics:  The ability to make their chin flat.  Other Considerations:  Students who are able to focus on and perform a detailed series of instructions would do well on clarinet.  IMPORTANT:  Students interested in Clarinet must have an interview (may take place electronically) with the band teacher.  CLARINET PERSONALITY:  Focused

Physical Characteristics:  Flute tones are produced by directing an extremely focused air stream across the tone hole.  Flute players should have a slight "frown" to the upper lip with NO tear drop shape in the middle.  Flute players should have agile fingers for moving this multi-keyed instrument through fast musical passages.  IMPORTANT:  Students interested in Flute must have an interview (may take place electronically) with the band teacher.  FLUTE PERSONALITY:  Conscientious

The sound on trumpet is produced by "buzzing" the lips into a mouthpiece.  Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome 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.  IMPORTANT:  Students interested in Trumpet must have an interview (may take place electronically) with the band teacher.  TRUMPET PERSONALITY: Confident

Trombone players should have good "musical ears" for pitch.  The trombone is played like the other brass instruments (buzzing into a cup-shaped mouthpiece), but uses a slide instead of valves.  Physical Characteristics: Trombone players should have slightly fuller lips than average.  Other Considerations: Because of the nature of Trombone notes, trombone students should be able to match pitches by humming or singing.  IMPORTANT:  Students interested in Trombone must have an interview (may take place electronically) with the band teacher.  TROMBONE PERSONALITY: Analytical

The French Horn sound is produced by buzzing the lips into a small mouthpiece similar to a trumpet.  Students with good musical ears for hearing pitches should consider French Horn.  Physical Characteristics: While orthodontia is somewhat troublesome to a French Horn player, it is not impossible to make good sounds with braces.  A slight overbite is okay, but an under bite can severely hinder progress on French Horn.  Other Considerations: Because of the nature of French horn notes, horn student should be able to match pitches by humming or singing.  IMPORTANT:  Students interested in French Horn must have an interview (may take place electronically) with the band teacher.  HCISD provides French Horns for students to use.  FRENCH HORN PERSONALITY: Academic

The oboe is similar in its appearance to a clarinet, but it has a "double reed" instead of a single reed and mouthpiece.  Physical Characteristics:  Students with profound overbites or underbites would have difficulty producing good sounds on the oboe. Other Considerations:  Student with high academic performance records would be good candidates for the oboe.  IMPORTANT:  Students interested in Oboe must have an interview (may take place electronically) with the band teacher.  HCISD provides oboes for students to use.  OBOE PERSONALITY:  Studious

The bassoon is the larger, lower sounding "double reed" instrument.  Physical Characteristics:  Agile thumbs are helpful in bassoon playing, as well as a medium or greater hand span.  Other Considerations:  Students with high academic performance records would be good candidates for the bassoon.  IMPORTANT:  Students interested in Bassoon must have an interview (may take place electronically) with the band teacher.  HCISD provides bassoons for students to use.  BASSOON PERSONALITY: Serious

The Baritone (also known as Euphonium) is a member of the brass family and looks like a small version of a tuba.  Its sound is similar to that of a trombone, but it uses valves like a trumpet instead of a slide (like trombone).  Physical Characteristics: Baritone players should have moderately full lips.  Other Considerations: Because of the nature of Baritone notes, baritone students should be able to match pitches by humming or singing.  Students with orthodontia will find the mouthpiece of the euphonium a bit more comfortable than Trumpet or French horn.  IMPORTANT:  Students interested in Baritone must have an interview (may take place electronically) with the band teacher.  HCISD provides baritones for students to use.  BARITONE PERSONALITY: Artistic

Tuba players come in all shapes and sizes.  Physical Characteristics: Tuba players need to have full lips and a healthy lung capacity.   Other Considerations: The tuba section provides the foundation for the sound of the band.  Because of the nature of Tuba notes, tuba students should be able to match pitches by humming or singing.  IMPORTANT:  Students interested in Tuba must have an interview (may take place electronically) with the band teacher.  HCISD provides tubas for students to use. TUBA PERSONALITY: Unique

The alto saxophone uses a single reed like the clarinet.  Considerations: Alto Saxophones students will have the opportunity after the first year of instruction to audition for Tenor or Baritone Saxophone.  IMPORTANT:  Students interested in Alto Saxophone must have an interview (may take place electronically) with the band teacher.  Saxophone class has a limited enrollment.  SAXOPHONE PERSONALITY: Mellow

Many students express an interest in percussion, but the enrollment is limited.  Grades, behavior and coordination skills will be considered in selecting percussionists. Physical Characteristics: Students should exhibit a great deal of coordination in gross and fine motor skills.  Prior musical training is preferred but not required.  Other Considerations: The study of percussion includes bells, xylophone, marimba, snare drum, bass drum, triangle, tambourine and timpani among many other instruments.  IMPORTANT:  Students interested in Percussion must have an interview (may take place electronically) with the band teacher.  Enrollment in the percussion class is limited.  PERCUSSION PERSONALITY: Coordinated & Organized