Red Oak ISD Percussion Recommended Equipment

Updated August 2024

 

Every percussionist must have a pair of snare drum sticks, one (6th–7th grade) or two (7th–12th grade) pairs of marimba mallets, a pair of timpani mallets, a practice pad & stand, and a metronome (other than a phone/tablet/chromebook). 

 

Reference this list of materials if you are looking to purchase equipment replacements or further  implements. Some categories will have a few options depending on price or application. 

 

If you have any questions about items on this list or are looking for something specific, please email houston.youngman@redoakisd.org before making a purchase. 

 

Concert Snare Drum Sticks 

Requirement ($12.95) – LINK

Innovative Percussion Kennan Wylie Concert Snare Drum Sticks

Required for 6th Grade

 

Additional Option 1 ($12.95) – LINK

Innovative Percussion James Campbell Concert Snare Drum Sticks

Recommended for 7th–12th Grade

 

Additional Option 2 ($36.00) – LINK

Freer Percussion General Orchestral Hornwood Concert Snare Drum Sticks

Higher-End Recommendation for 9th–12th Grade

Also available in light, medium, and heavy weights.

 

Marimba Mallets

If you are purchasing a second set of mallets alongside an existing pair, it is recommended that you get the same pair of mallets you already have. As your need for mallet options grows, reference this list for recommendations. Purchase marimba mallets with birch handles unless specified otherwise. 

 

Requirement ($49.95) – LINK

Innovative Percussion Ludwig Albert Medium Birch Marimba Mallets

Required for 6th Grade

Second Pair Required for 8th Grade

Recommendation for a General Set of Four Mallets

 

Additional Option 1 ($49.95) – LINK

Innovative Percussion Ludwig Albert Medium Hard Birch Marimba Mallets

Recommended for 9th–12th Grade

Great for two-mallet literature and as a harder option for graduated four mallet playing. 

Also available in extra soft, medium extra soft, soft, medium soft, medium, hard, and extra hard. 

 

Additional Option 2 ($65.99) – LINK

Marimba One Katarzyna Mycka Medium Hard Birch Marimba Mallets

Higher-End Mallet Series Recommendation for 9th–12th Grade

Also available in very soft, soft, medium soft, medium, hard, and very hard. 

 

Timpani Mallets

Requirement ($35.95) – LINK

Innovative Percussion General Series Medium Timpani Mallets

Required for 6th Grade

 

Additional Option 1 ($35.95) – LINK

Innovative Percussion General Series Hard Staccato Timpani Mallets

Recommended for 7th–12th Grade

Great for more advanced timpani literature and as another option in band/percussion ensemble. 

Also available in soft, medium soft, and ultra staccato. 

 

There are many high-end handcrafted timpani mallets available from websites such as Freer Percussion  and Luft Mallets. If you are looking for something specific, please reach out and ask so we can find the best mallet for your situation.   

 

Marching Sticks

Snare ($12.95) – LINK

Innovative Percussion Paul Rennick Field Series 2 Marching Snare Sticks

Required for 8th Grade

 

Tenors ($12.95) – LINK

Innovative Percussion Paul Rennick Marching Tenor Sticks

 

Practice Pads

Requirement ($57.99) – LINK

Sabian Quiet Tone 10” Practice Pad 

Required for 6th Grade

 

Concert Snare Pad Additional Option 1 ($68.99) – LINK

Sabian Quiet Tone 14” Practice Pad 

Recommended for those that take concert snare practicing very seriously. The 14” surface looks and feels nearly identical to a concert snare, and the head can be replaced with an actual snare drum head for near exact feeling and rebound. 

 

Percussionists practicing with marching snare sticks should practice on a pad built for those sticks. The concert snare pads listed above will begin to break down when played on with marching sticks. See below for some marching snare pad options. 

 

Marching Snare Pad ($70.79) – LINK

OffWorld Percussion Invader V3 Marching Snare Practice Pad 

Recommended for 8th–12th Grade

Very closely mimics the feeling and surface area of a marching snare drum. 

 

Marching Snare Pad Alternative Option ($38.35/$48.12) – LINKS: SMALL/LARGE

OffWorld Percussion Outlander Snare Practice Pad 

This is a close alternative to the Invader V3 pad, but in a smaller package. It is NOT the same playing surface or size as the Invader V3 but will be able to handle being played on with marching sticks more than a Quiet Tone pad can. 

 

Metronome

Requirement ($49.99) – LINK

Boss DB-30 Dr. Beat Metronome 

Required for 6th–12th Grade

 

Practice Pad/Snare Drum Stand 

Preferred Option ($89.95) – LINK

PDP Concert Height Snare/Pad Stand

 

2024 High School All-Region Etudes Recommended Equipment

These are only recommendations and are not required to audition

Options are numbered by preference

Snare Etude

1. Freer Percussion Medium Orchestral Hornwood Concert Snare Drum Sticks

2. Freer Percussion General Orchestral Hornwood Concert Snare Drum Sticks

3. Innovative Percussion James Campbell Concert Snare Drum Sticks

 

2-Mallet Etude

1. Marimba One Katarzyna Mycka Medium Hard Birch Marimba Mallets

2. Innovative Percussion Ludwig Albert Medium Hard Birch Marimba Mallets

 

4-Mallet Etude

1. Marimba One Katarzyna Mycka Medium Hard Birch Marimba Mallets

2. Innovative Percussion Ludwig Albert Medium Birch Marimba Mallets

 

Timpani Etude

1. If interested in a specialty pair of timpani mallets, talk with Mr. Youngman.

2. Innovative Percussion General Series Ultra Staccato Timpani Mallets