A great band director is the start to a great music education. However every great band director knows a great private teacher will lead their students to the next level. These private teachers are carefully chosen by band directors because they can mold the future success of each of their students and encourage the growth of their band programs. 

So what is a band director looking for in a great private teacher?

We followed up with Band Director Justin Antos, Director of Bands at Dwight Eisenhower High School, after he switched his full marching band section from their stock mouthpieces to Denis Wick Mouthpieces. Learn about the struggles that lead up to this switch, and what differences they experienced when the whole brass section was playing on new mouthpeices in this interview with Justin.

"Is a trumpet or trombone mute more than it's shape?" Logically the answer is yes. However in the manufacturing world, it is a bit more of a gray area. Low-priced student mutes have become as numerous as flavors of ice cream these days. So how do you define quality? How do you differentiate between mute functioned and mute shaped?

Get to Know the Women of the Denis Wick Young Ambassador Group in the UK

When do I need to find a new mouthpiece?

After a student has learned how to make a sound on their new brass instrument, and make it consistently, their next focus is on improving that sound. Since sound starts with the mouthpiece, your first upgrade should logically be the mouthpiece. But when and how do you find the right one? Use these tips to understand the process and help you student take their fist steps to expanding their sound and skills.

In honor of his 92nd birthday, we wanted to share some things that you might not have known about Denis Wick. We all recognize Denis Wick as the creator of some of the world's finest mouthpieces and mutes for brass musicians. But did you know...

Meet Denis Wick euphonium artist Sebastian Rozo. Learn about  how Sebastian started his euphonium career, how he chose euphonium, his favorite gear, and more in this Get to Know interview.

Meet Denis Wick bass trombone artist, and founding member of trombone quartet Slide Action, Josh Cirtina. Learn about what instrument Josh started his career playing, and how he got to bass trombone, his favorite gear, and more in this Get to Know interview.

Meet Byron Wallen, Denis Wick trumpet performing artist and composer. Learn about Byron's early inspirations, the product that supports his many musical adventures, some insider tips on his recent time in the recording studio for the new Star Wars film.

Meet Aaron Tindall, tuba performer, educator, and designer of the Ultra line of Denis Wick Tuba mouthpieces. Learn about Aaron's early inspirations, the product that supports his many musical adventures, some insider tips on his line of mouthpieces.