Whether you're a parent looking for ideas for your young (or old) brass musician in the family, or you've just picked up an instrument and are starting your musical career, here are some items that will get you a running start on that Christmas list for 2017!

1. Carolina Crown Ugly Sweater

Price: $30

As one of the most consistent and highest-achieving brass sections in Drum Corps International, Carolina Crown gear is a great way to get in the Christmas spirit as a young trumpet or baritone player! 

Not a Crownie? Go find your favorite corps' website here, and shop around on their sites for any merchandise you might need to be ready for the 2018 season!

Orders MUST be placed before Wednesday, December 12 by 12 PM EST. 

2. BERP

Price: $18-$25

Utilized by many high school band programs, World and Open Class drum and bugle corps (sometimes required to even audition), and WGI Winds groups of all sizes, the BERP is a must-have utility for brass players that trains buzzing, air support and reinforces a consistent playing position.

BERP is essentially a small plastic receiver that attaches to the end of the instrument where you would place the mouthpiece, but instead the mouthpiece goes into the BERP, not the metal receiver. The BERP has the ability to increase air resistance, forcing the player to "use more air," a phrase every brass player is accustomed to hearing.

You can purchase a BERP from any musical accessories retailer such as Woodwind & Brasswind or directly from The BERP website!

3. Instrument Stand

Price: $15 - $120 (depending on instrument & features)

Ranging from trumpet stands that sit directly on the ground to a multi-faceted instrument stand that holds up to four brass instruments, an instrument stand is a necessity in a concert band environment. 

For those moments when the band director has to run the same four measures of sixteenth-notes with the woodwinds section -- take a load off!

Check out brands like Hercules, K&M, or Hamilton to see what the professionals are using!

4. A Good Metronome/Tuner

Price: $3.99 - Way Too Much

Tuners and metronomes are an essential that every musician should have from the day they pick up their instrument, but unfortunately, they're often overpriced. When looking for a tuner, you want to be able to adjust the calibration (notated by Hz, default often set to 440 Hz).

In this case, we highly recommend buying a mobile application that will fulfill both purposes. A great example of a high quality tuner and metronome combination would be TonalEnergy. TonalEnergy is a cheap app used across all areas of the marching arts and music, in general. 

For those of you that prefer a physical piece of equipment, check out some BOSS tuner/metronome combos like the TU-30. 

5. Mutes/Yamaha SILENT Brass

Price: $15 - $200 (sorry tubas, yours can be $300+)

If there's one thing brass players love more than anything, it's playing loud and high and having nothing in your way. Well, Yamaha has a solution for your family's ears over the long winter break from school when you're stuck practicing at home: SILENT Brass!

SILENT Brass is type of mute that fits inside the bell of your brass instrument. It comes with headphones to plug in via a receiver, which means you can practice almost silently, even in the middle of the night!

Aside from spending $200 on a piece of practice equipment, you could also spend less than $20 on some of the most popular mutes that should be a weapon in any brass player's arsenal. A great starting point if you don't have a mute is to go with a standard "straight mute" or "cup mute" from Woodwind & Brasswind -- both are common in concert band settings and jazz band.

6. 2017 DCI World Championships DVD

Price: $100 - $130

What better way to recap the year than by enjoying some of the best performances from the summer! Check out all of the options DCI has to offer, from a CD with 2017's top 12 drum and bugle corps, or go all the way with the Blu-Ray DVD bundle which includes the audio recordings on the CD as well as each of the finalists' performances in Lucas Oil Stadium.

7. FloMarching Subscription

Price: $30 monthly, or $150 yearly

Get a year's worth of live performances including Winter Guard International (WGI) from February through April, Drum Corps International (DCI) June through August, and Bands of America (BOA) September to November! 

With a subscription you can also view all of the documentary-style films we put together throughout the year -- including the newest one about BOA powerhouse, the Avon Marching Black & Gold, coming out just before Christmas!