Jonathan W. Thompson

Abstract

Woodwind and brass instruments as well as mouthpieces may contain harmful diseases
for the students who play them. Recent research indicates high levels of dangerous
bacteria, fungi, and mold located inside public school instruments. This occurs because
of failure to properly clean the instruments and mouthpieces. Currently, there is no
standard cleaning protocol for band directors to follow to ensure the health of band
members. Students who share instruments are at higher risk, because high levels of
harmful microorganisms have been proven to live in instruments up to 48 hours after
deposit.
A survey was created to investigate band directors’ practices regarding woodwind
instrument, brass instrument, and mouthpiece care. The respondents included 23 band
directors from Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana. Questions included general
demographic information, budget, instrument and mouthpiece sharing practices,
instrument performance problems, and health problems associated to playing an unclean
instrument. The survey showed that band directors have students sharing instruments
caused by insufficient school inventories. Two band directors have had students fall ill
due to playing unclean instruments. The students’ collective symptoms included
headache, stomachache, and throat ache.… (more)