Marching Lions Equipment Care

Every member of the THS Marching Lions assumes responsibility for the equipment that they use throughout the season. Whether your equipment is owned by the school or by yourself, there are certain guidelines to which each member must adhere. The first general rule is that nobody is permitted to use, play, or try anyone else’s equipment at any time.

Additionally, there are certain types of equipment and/or accessories that you may be required to purchase (Marked with an *):

Flute & Piccolo:

  • Instruments must be swabbed after each use and must be swabbed and polished prior to each performance.
  • *Cleaning equipment requirement: Cleaning rod with cotton handkerchief

Clarinet:

  • Instruments must be swabbed after each use and prior to each performance.
  • *Mouthpiece recommendation: Vandoren B45, Hite Premier
  • *Reed recommendation: Mitchell Lurie, Vandoren
  • *Ligature recommendation: Rovner
  • *Cleaning equipment requirement: Cotton clearung swab

Alto /Tenor Sax:

  • Instruments must be swabbed after each use and must be swabbed and polished prior to each performance.
  • *Mouthpiece requirement:
    • (Alto) Hite Premier, Meyer 5M Hard Rubber / Otto Link 5 Star/Selmer C Star
    • (Tenor) Hite Premier, Meyer 6M Hard Rubber/Otto Link 6 Star
  • *Reed recommendation: Vandoren Blue or Java
  • *Ligature recommendation: Rovner
  • *Cleaning equipment requirement: Cleaning swab or Pad Saver, mouthpiece brush, neck brush.

Trumpet/Mello/Bari:

  • All valves and slides must be kept lubricated.
  • Tubing must be flushed with warm water once a week.
  • Mouthpieces must be cleaned at least once a week. Instruments must be polished prior to each performance.
  • *Cleaning equipment requirement: snake brush, mouthpiece brush, slide cream, valve oil.

Trombone:

  • All valves and slides must be kept lubricated.
  • Tubing must be flushed with warm water once a week.
  • Mouthpieces must be cleaned at least once a week.
  • Instruments must be polished prior to each performance.
  • *Cleaning equipment requirement: Trombone snake brush, mouthpiece brush, slide cream, water spray bottle.

Sousaphone:

  • Bits, neck, and mouthpiece must be removed from the body of the sousaphone prior to putting it in the case.
  • All valves and slides must be kept lubricated.
  • Tubing must be flushed with warm water once a week.
  • Mouthpieces must be cleaned at least once a week.
  • Instruments must be polished prior to each performance.
  • *Cleaning/maintenance equipment requirement: Tuba snake brush, mouthpiece brush, slide cream, valve oil, soft bath sheet to protect bell in case.

Color Guard:

  • All guard members must keep their own flag bag.
  • Flags should be kept clean.
  • All weapons, and props must be dried off of all dirt, mud, and water after each use.
  • Tape may only be applied as per staff instruction.
  • Costumes must be cleaned and pressed prior to each performance.
  • Equipment and costumes will be assigned and monitored by the Band Boosters and must be returned at the conclusion of the marching band season.