I am thrilled to share that we will be hosting Sharel Cassity at Butler University on November 14th, 2024! Sharel will be working with the Butler bands, Noblesville High School, and Pike High School. The event will include a clinic at 6:00 PM, open to the public, followed by a concert at 7:30 PM. Both events will take place in The Krannert Room on the campus of Butler University. I hope you can join us!

About the Artist: Sharel Cassity

“Saxophonist, Flutist, and Educator Sharel Cassity is a prominent figure on the New York and Chicago jazz scenes. Voted the 2023 Rising Star Alto Saxophone and featured on the cover of Downbeat Magazine, Sharel has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and The Colbert Show. She is an inductee of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame and a recipient of the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award.

It’s never too early to get your Christmas gifts! Beat the rush and enjoy the holiday season without the added stress. Here at Paige’s Music, we are well stocked with accessories that are perfect for the trumpet player in your life. Here are some of my favorites!

Practice Mutes

If you live in a smaller space or if your student doesn’t have a great place to practice without disturbing others, consider a practice mute. Here at Paige’s, we offer options from Shhmute to the Yamaha Silent Brass system and more. Personally, I own both the Shhmute and the Silent Brass system and use them frequently.

Valve Oil

Valve Oil is a must-have care accessory that every trumpet player should keep in their case. Trumpet players should oil their valves often to keep them moving smoothly. We carry a variety of valve oils in different brands, colors, and thicknesses (yes, we even have different colors!). If you’re unsure which valve oil is right for your trumpet, feel free to reach out for advice.

Trumpet Stand

A trumpet stand is a practical accessory for any level trumpet player! Many stands fit inside the bell of the trumpet while it’s stored in the case. Using a stand helps avoid placing the trumpet on the ground or lap, which can lead to accidental damage. I’ve seen students drop or accidentally step on their trumpets, so a stand is a great way to prevent these mishaps. Although stands can still tip over, they’re more visible than a trumpet laid on the floor.

Trumpet Mutes

We offer a wide selection of mute types, including straight, cup, and harmon mutes, each available in various materials. Most students will eventually need a straight mute, though some schools provide mutes while others do not. I recommend reaching out to your teacher before purchasing. Jazz band players may need a cup or harmon mute, which are fun to use and change the trumpet’s tone quality.

Trumpet Mouthpiece

A new mouthpiece can significantly impact your student’s playing. Personally, I didn’t realize the difference a mouthpiece could make until graduate school, when my teacher recommended a switch that transformed my sound. A mouthpiece is like a shoe; the best fit depends on lip size, shape, and playing style. Schedule an appointment with us to find the right mouthpiece with personalized guidance.

Gift Card

If you’re uncertain what to give your student, we offer Paige’s Music Gift Cards! Visit us in-store to pick one up, and your student can choose the accessories that best suit them.

The 2024 Ball State Flute Day is coming up on October 19th, and I am so excited to attend again as an exhibitor along with Flute Specialists! You don’t want to miss this FREE event. Dr. Watanabe and her flute studio have a full day of masterclasses, flute choir, warmup sessions, and recitals planned. If you haven’t registered yet and are free on October 19th, here are some reasons why you should attend: 

You will get to learn from Guest Artist Austin Brown and Dr. Mihoko Watanabe 

Principal Flutist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Austin Brown, will be Ball State’s featured Guest Artist this year! He will be leading a masterclass and Q&A session, and he will be performing a recital for everyone attending. This is the perfect opportunity to learn from Austin and get to know our new ISO Principal Flutist!  

Flute Professor at Ball State University, Dr. Mihoko Watanabe, is not only hosting this event, but she is leading the mindful warmup session and flute choir reading in the morning as well as leading an open clinic to close the flute day.  

Play with other flutists in the warmup and flute choir session. 

Flute choir reading sessions are SO fun. You don’t always get to play with solely flutes, and this is a unique opportunity to just have fun and play music with your fellow flutists. Dr. Watanabe’s mindful flute warmup will help you get in the mindset to have a relaxed, yet focused and productive flute day. She has done extensive research on applying mindfulness in your practice, so this is a wonderful opportunity to learn from her. 

Meet and make connections with other flutists. 

Flute events like these are the perfect way to network with other musicians. Who knows, you could even make lifelong friends at this event! The music community is smaller than you think, and it is incredibly important to make connections with your fellow musicians. Plus, flute players are the coolest and are so positive, supportive of each other, and fun to be around. 

Try out flutes and stock up on flute accessories from Paige’s Music and Flute Specialists. 

You will have time during the day dedicated to come visit the exhibitors! I am so excited to bring a variety of pro flutes and piccolos for you to try. Without giving anything away, I have some NEW models that I didn’t bring last year. These are some of my favorite flutes that I’ve brought in the shop. 

Hear some amazing performances in the Guest Artist Recital and the Masterclass. 

Did I mention before that this event is FREE? Take advantage of this opportunity to listen and learn from not only Austin Brown, but also collaborative pianist Dr. Michael Seregow and Dr. Mihoko Watanabe. While we don’t know what the repertoire for the recital will be, we do know what will be played in the masterclass! Masterclass performers will perform the following pieces for Austin Brown: Fantaisie, Op. 79 for flute and piano by Gabriel Faure, Sonata by Sergei Prokofiev, and La Flute de Pan by Jules Mouquet. These are very well known and popular flute solos to play, and this would be a great way to learn more about performing them! You can find the scores and more info at the event website: https://ballstatefluteday.weebly.com/ 

Bass Clefs, Treble Clefs, and Tenor Clefs. Oh my!

The euphonium is a unique and often misunderstood instrument, even among experienced musicians. Over the years, I’ve encountered many questions about it: Is it called a euphonium or a baritone? Why don’t we see euphoniums in orchestras? Should the bell face forward or up? Does it have three or four valves? And what exactly is a compensating euphonium?

One of the most intriguing questions, and the one we’ll explore today, is: Why is euphonium music written in both treble and bass clef?

The beginning of the school year is here! As the excitement of the new term settles, you may hear from your student’s band director or teacher that it’s time to upgrade their flute—especially if they’ve been playing for at least a year. Choosing the right step-up flute can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to make it easier for you!

How to Start the Flute Upgrade Process