Holiday Gift Guide for Band & Orchestra

Holiday shopping can feel overwhelming, especially with all the pressure we put on ourselves to find “perfect” gifts for our loved ones. And when your favorite people are band and orchestra musicians, it can be hard to know what they might need or want. Musicians at Sweetwater know that navigating the world of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments can feel daunting, so we created this complete guide to band and orchestra gifts. With gift ideas for musicians of every level, organized by category and instrument, we hope to make your holiday shopping experience as stress-free as possible.

Woodwind Player Gift GuideGreat Gifts for FlutistsGreat Gifts for OboistsGreat Gifts for BassoonistsGreat Gifts for ClarinetistsGreat Gifts for SaxophonistsBrass Player Gift GuideGreat Gifts for Trumpet PlayersGreat Gifts for Horn PlayersGreat Gifts for Trombone PlayersGreat Gifts for Euphonium PlayersGreat Gifts for Tuba PlayersString Player Gift GuideGreat Gifts for ViolinistsGreat Gifts for ViolistsGreat Gifts for CellistsGreat Gifts for BassistsPercussionist Gift Guide

Woodwind Player Gift Guide

From saxophones to double reeds

With so many stellar products to choose from, shopping for woodwind gear can cause your head to spin. Whether you’re shopping for a traveling saxophonist, budding clarinetist, or classical flutist, bassoonist, or oboist, this woodwind-oriented guide makes it easy to find a gift that’ll impress.

Great Gifts for Flutists

It can be challenging to find a gift for a flute player. With such a portable instrument, it’s hard to believe there are any accessories your player could benefit from! Luckily, we’re here to simplify your search. The player who’s all about making a stylish appearance will adore the Protec A230 Boulevard Series flute case cover, which slides right over their existing case and gives it a fashionable, purse-like look and feel. The Fluterscooter School Spirit piccolo case bag does the same thing but comes in school colors, making it a superb gift for the high school or college flute player. However, suppose it’s time for your player to upgrade their instrument. In that case, we recommend the Di Zhao Flutes DZ 801, an intermediate flute with a striking sterling silver headjoint, silver-plated keys, and a must-have split E mechanism to help them excel as they tackle challenging repertoire.

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Great Gifts for Oboists

Every oboist needs accessories to simplify their day-to-day lives. That’s why the BAM CONS3029SB Conservatoire oboe case is one of our favorite products, and it makes a terrific gift, too! It offers superior protection thanks to its high-density polyurethane foam construction, and its expandable pocket gives players room to store all their smaller belongings. Similarly, this Hodge accessory shelf attaches directly to any traditional music stand to provide convenient and accessible storage space for all your oboist’s supplies. On the other hand, you can opt for a simple, sensible gift like this Reediano oboe reed case. With an elegant oak body, a deep-blue interior, and an 8-reed storage capacity, it’s a gift that can’t miss.

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Great Gifts for Bassoonists

We’ll be the first to admit that shopping for bassoon-related gear isn’t the easiest task, especially when looking for a gift for someone else. You can support your bassoonist by giving them handy accessories and travel essentials. For college students and other bassoonists who have long days filled with rehearsals, the bassoon Fox 1228H Seat Strap is the perfect gift! Alternatively, you can opt for a different but equally practical item, such as the Protec PB317 PRO PAC bassoon case, as it provides top-tier protection for your player’s prized instrument. Lastly, this Reediano bassoon reed case makes an incredible supplemental gift for either of the previously mentioned items, as it features a generous 10-reed storage capacity — a necessity for any experienced double-reed player.

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Great Gifts for Clarinetists

Sure, you could buy your clarinetist the bare necessities — but what fun is that? Take things up a notch with a 5-leg, in-bell K&M 15228 clarinet stand, the perfect addition to their regular rehearsal setup. Or, surprise your player with a vibrant, teal-colored Fluterscooter B-flat clarinet backpack with tons of room for accessories. Not sure what to get a bass clarinetist? The Royal Global MAX bass clarinet is a stellar, competitively priced instrument for the dedicated player — it’s a fan favorite that yields a rich, muscular sound and is suitable for advanced students and seasoned professionals alike. Lastly, the Buffet Crampon ClariMate digital clarinet mute makes a sensational gift, especially for players who need to keep their noise levels down!

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Great Gifts for Saxophonists

Sometimes, the best gifts are also the most practical. This holiday season, treat your player to an accessory upgrade they didn’t know they needed! If they’re an avid jazz musician, then give them BetterSax alto saxophone Jazz Cut Reeds for a swingin’ feel. Sax players at Sweetwater say they pair flawlessly with the P. Mauriat System-76 Derek Brown BeatBox Sax — a phenomenal gift for the enthusiastic saxophonist! However, if you’re shopping without a specific genre in mind, then the Odisei Music Travel Sax 2 is a fantastic option. Its portable design, real alto saxophone mouthpiece, and authentic key layout allow players to play whenever and wherever they want. And with a USB/MIDI output, they can even hook it up to their favorite DAW to create unique tracks with ease.

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Brass Player Gift Guide

For the player who’s full of hot air

Whether you’re shopping for a jazz trumpet player or a classically trained tuba player, Sweetwater has an abundance of gifts to choose from. Although it was difficult to narrow down all of Sweetwater’s outstanding products, we’re thrilled to share some of our favorite gifts to help you through the chaos of the holiday shopping season.

Great Gifts for Trumpet Players

Are you hoping for the “Best Gift Giver” title this year? Gift your favorite trumpet player the Stomvi 5000 Forte intermediate B-flat trumpet. It’s a spectacular, easy-blowing horn for players of all ages and levels of experience. On the other hand, if your player already has a go-to personal horn, then no worries — start with a nifty accessory like the 3-piece MusicNomad MN765 trumpet brush set. No matter the type of player you’re shopping for, a good cleaning kit is a great gift. This one includes three different brushes that reach all the nooks and crannies in your player’s horn, giving them an easier playing experience and increasing the longevity of their horn. Yet, one of the most wonderful things you could gift your trumpet player is the Soulo Mute SM4501 trumpet mute and bag holder, especially if they travel with multiple mutes. This ultra-convenient bag features modular blocks that can accommodate any combination of mutes. It can also be attached to the music stand during performances and rehearsals for ultra-convenient access.

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Great Gifts for Horn Players

Let’s face it — the French horn is not the most giftable instrument. Still, you can invest in your horn player’s musical career with high-quality accessories, like cases, mutes, and more. Teachers and parents alike will appreciate this Gator Presto Pro Case, as it provides unmatched protection for the horn. Made from ABS plastic with secure latches and a reinforced handle, this case offers lightweight protection for the horn and is remarkably comfortable to carry. If you’re shopping for the player who seems to have it all, then you might opt for a more performance-oriented item like the Denis Wick DW5524 French horn straight mute, which gives a clean and consistent, hand-stopped sound required in orchestral repertoire. Even if that means nothing to you as a gift-giver, it’ll mean everything to the horn player in your life! Lastly, the Protec French horn handguard is an excellent option for players with clammy hands or contact allergies. It’s a simple leather strip that wraps around the tubing next to the valves, giving players a comfortable, hypoallergenic grip while they play — all while protecting the horn’s finish beneath it!

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Great Gifts for Trombone Players

Collegiate-level musicians often can’t practice in their dorms or apartments. So, when you gift them the Yamaha SB5J SILENT Brass System, you’re giving them a valuable tool that’ll allow them to make strides in their studies while virtually eliminating noise from their practice sessions. Consider it a gift to their neighbors, too! Meanwhile, a younger trombonist would appreciate getting their very own horn — perhaps a renowned horn like the Bach BTB211N student tenor trombone.

But if there’s one gift all trombone players will appreciate, it’s the Gator Frameworks GFW-BNO-TBONE. The height of this trombone tripod stand is adjustable, and it can hold both tenor and bass trombones for easy access, whether your player is sitting or standing. Are you shopping for something more exciting to give your seasoned trombonist? Gift the aluminum Denis Wick DW5505 trombone straight mute. It just might become their favorite mute — or gift — of all time!

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Great Gifts for Euphonium Players

Many euphonium players can benefit from a good gig bag. Don’t let your loved one drag their euphonium around with their arms full of music, keys, and mutes. Instead, gift them a case that can do it all, like the Protec C242 Gold Series Euphonium Gig Bag. With a rugged nylon exterior, padded lining, backpack straps, and a zippered accessory pouch, this case lets the player transport their instrument hands-free. If the person you’re shopping for already has a gig bag, or if they’re a professional who doesn’t travel much, then we recommend the coveted Denis Wick Steven Mead euphonium mouthpiece. Finally, for dorm dwellers and those who don’t always have access to a practice room, the Yamaha SB2J SILENT Brass System is the ideal gift. They’ll appreciate how naturally they can play without losing tone quality or clarity.

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Great Gifts for Tuba Players

Chances are the tuba player in your life already has a school-owned tuba or perhaps one of their own. But you can still give them something useful! Tuba players at Sweetwater recommend grabbing the neoprene Protec N275 tuba / tenor saxophone mouthpiece pouch for a practical gift this holiday season. Are you shopping for something a little more thoughtful? You can try a different approach by giving them a stand to support the weight of their horn. Our top picks include the Hercules Stands DS553B and the Tuba Essentials The Hug, which is for tubas with left-side leadpipes!

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String Player Gift Guide

Invest in your string player’s success

From beginner violinists to professional double bassists, Sweetwater has a gift for every string player. Here, we present various products that fit a range of budgets, from cello stands to luxurious bow and instrument cases. But no matter what you choose, you can rest assured that your string player will appreciate the thought you put into their gift!

Great Gifts for Violinists

If you’re having trouble deciding what to get a violinist this holiday season, then it might be best to start with the instrument itself! If your violinist has been playing for a few years and is gigging with bands, then it may be time to upgrade their instrument. Make performing easier for them with a Yamaha YEV-104 electric violin. This full-size electric violin comprises five layers of maple, mahogany, and spruce with top-shelf D’Addario Zyex strings to ensure that even the pickiest violinist is met with exquisite playability. Likewise, your violinist will be thrilled to open more practical presents, such as the Larsen II Cannone Soloist violin string set or the ultra-chic BAM Conservatoire oblong violin case. Whether you choose the strings, violin case, or both, we’re willing to bet your violinist will be beyond grateful!

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Great Gifts for Violists

Are you searching for the right gift for your violist? If you want to “wow” the advanced violist in your life, then you’ll want to surprise them with the Eastman VA701 Rudoulf Doetsch professional viola. Its stunning spruce and maple construction yields a classic viola sound, while top-of-the-line Pirastro Obligato strings give the player even more room for creative expression. Its solid German tonewoods are well-suited for chamber, symphonic, or solo work. Meanwhile, for the student violist, we recommend gifting them the CodaBow Prodigy Student viola bow. It’s perfectly balanced with exceptional ergonomics — how a student bow should be! Your young musician will benefit from this bow’s lighter weight and ease of use, promoting proper bowing technique and clear tone. Plus, their teacher will be thrilled to see them playing so well!

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Great Gifts for Cellists

It’s hard to go wrong when picking out a gift for your cellist. Sweetwater has an array of accessories and tools for cellists to add to their beloved instrument. Supply your dedicated cellist with string-related care products, like the luxurious W. E. Hill & Sons Premium Cello Rosin, or give the avid performer the volume boost they didn’t know they needed with a Headway The Band2 cello pickup. But wait — what if your cellist doesn’t have their own cello? We’ve got the solution: the Howard Core SM31 Core Symphony Cello. It’s meticulously crafted from aged tonewoods for a clear, warm sound with an otherworldly dynamic range. And thanks to our 40-point Band & Orchestra Inspection process, this cello is ready to play as soon as it’s unwrapped, so you and your loved ones can enjoy its sweet, rich sound before your cellist hits the stage!

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Great Gifts for Bassists

You’ve heard of “more cowbell.” Now, get ready for “more bass”! Your bass player wants to be heard, and the audience wants to hear them, too. The Realist LifeLine double bass pickup will give your bassist the volume boost they need without sacrificing the bass’s acoustic sound. Earn a few brownie points by including a container of Pops’ Bass Rosin to give them an even better sound. You can also gift the student bassist in your life a GEWA Carbon Pernambuco Hybrid French Double Bass Bow — it’s the perfect gift for budding bassists who crave better control of their instruments.

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Percussionist Gift Guide

The perfect gifts for the percussionist in your life

Here at Sweetwater, we have gifts for every percussionist. Whether they’re a beginner, an adult hobbyist, or a college student, you can count on at least one of these gifts to put a smile on their faces. Starting us off is the BOSS DB-90 Dr. Beat; this metronome has a Rhythm Coach feature designed to help musicians build speed, accuracy, and endurance, and it includes a built-in mic and a MIDI input. Meanwhile, student percussionists, in particular, will love receiving the Pearl Belsona Student Bell Kit, a portable bell kit that folds right up into the included rolling case for easy transport to and from school. You can also gift them a classic 2-sided Evans RealFeel practice drum pad to help them develop technique, or you can get them a pair of Promark Scott Johnson Signature marching drumsticks if they’re involved in the marching arts. Lastly, we recommend treating the virtuoso-level percussionist in your life to a pair of Innovative Percussion IP240 marimba mallets or, perhaps, a Grover Pro Percussion KeeGee G2 Piccolo Concert Snare Drum if they’re big on cool snare sounds!

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Can’t Decide? Give a Sweetwater Gift Card!

Sweetwater Gift CardsChoosing the perfect gift has never been easier than instant digital delivery and the freedom to choose from over 63,000 music products. A Sweetwater e-Gift is the fastest way to get the giving going. You choose the dollar amount, and the music maker in your life — or maybe even you — gets exactly what they want. The perfect gift is just a few clicks away!

If you can’t make up your mind, then we have the perfect gift solution: a Sweetwater Gift Card! These can be purchased as either a digital card or as a physical card that you can use as a stocking stuffer.

For a digital card, simply click on the “Send as an e-Gift” button below, fill out your information, and choose the amount you want to place on the card. You can then email the gift card to your lucky giftee that day or choose a later date — you have up to a year to send it! Send a personal message with your gift card to make it even more special. Your giftee can pick from any of our 63,000 products, and they don’t have to spend it all on one purchase.

For a physical gift card, choose the “Send a Gift Card” option, choose the amount and the message, and we’ll handle the rest by mailing the card to either you or your recipient.

Whichever you choose, we are confident that the convenience will make this holiday season less stressful all around! These are the easiest way to make the season a little brighter.

Send as an e-Gift

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Get Your Band & Orchestra Gifts at Sweetwater

We hope this guide has made your gift-buying process easier. Are you still wondering about an extra-special present? Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700! They’ll help you find the best gift for the band and orchestra musician on your holiday gift list.
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