How to get instruments......your options
There are a few options to get an instrument for your child to participate in orchestra class. Unfortunately, we don't have enough funding to provide every student with an instrument, so if you can afford to rent or purchase one, it will help to make the program to children of all economic backgrounds.
Option 1- Borrow from school. This is a great option if money is tight. The instruments are used, and they aren't all pretty, but they will do the job! We have several violins and some violas and cellos to lend. You are still responsible for any damage or if you lose the instrument, so make sure you talk to your child about being responsible for something that costs hundreds of dollars. We can't accomodate special requests (like fancy cases), as you can at a music store. The instrument will have a functioning case, however. All school instruments are expected to be talen care of and treated respectfully, so we may use them for many years.
Option 2- Rent to Own from Music Store. This option is fantastic if you can afford it. You can get a no interest payment plan at many local music stores, and pay a bit each month toward owning your own instrument. There are several local music stores, and information is available online, as well as online rentals in many cases. A few stores to try would be Summerhays Music, Riverton Music, Charles Lui Violins, Holladay Music, and Peter Prier. Your child will need a beginner instrument, but beware of overly cheap instruments. Music stores generally sell quality instruments that will last and sound good. Online resources are very hit or miss. Many sell cheaply made instruments that will not last and will sound very bad.
Option 3- Purchase an instrument. Again, make sure to go to an actual music store. You can buy used instruments from people who own them, but look up brand names and model numbers to locate information before you buy, or ask your music teacher. You don't want to waste money on a very cheap instrument that will cost more to make playable. An average starting price for a new beginner instrument is approximately $250 for a violin or viola, and $750 or more for a cello. There are some cheaper instruments that are used from the music store that may work. They will still be $180 or more, and over $600 for cellos. E-bay, Amazon, and non-music stores are risky and may sell you something that looks like an instrument, but sounds terrible. That can cause a lot of frustration for the stduents. Colored instruments generally are all of poor quality and do not sound good. Some professionals have, for example, a black violin made for them, but they pay a few thousand to have it done right. A $75 purple violin is going to be a terrible instrument.....it might be a great decoration, though!
Here are some links to help you out!
Summerhays www.summerhaysmusic.com/ (they also deliver to the school!)
Riverton www.rivertonmusic.com/
Charles Lui Violins www.finestringinstruments.com/
Instrument information purchasing www.violinist.com/wiki/buying/
Is it worth it? Read this!
A form will be sent home for you to communicate your decision with the music teacher. Please return it as soon as possible.
Option 1- Borrow from school. This is a great option if money is tight. The instruments are used, and they aren't all pretty, but they will do the job! We have several violins and some violas and cellos to lend. You are still responsible for any damage or if you lose the instrument, so make sure you talk to your child about being responsible for something that costs hundreds of dollars. We can't accomodate special requests (like fancy cases), as you can at a music store. The instrument will have a functioning case, however. All school instruments are expected to be talen care of and treated respectfully, so we may use them for many years.
Option 2- Rent to Own from Music Store. This option is fantastic if you can afford it. You can get a no interest payment plan at many local music stores, and pay a bit each month toward owning your own instrument. There are several local music stores, and information is available online, as well as online rentals in many cases. A few stores to try would be Summerhays Music, Riverton Music, Charles Lui Violins, Holladay Music, and Peter Prier. Your child will need a beginner instrument, but beware of overly cheap instruments. Music stores generally sell quality instruments that will last and sound good. Online resources are very hit or miss. Many sell cheaply made instruments that will not last and will sound very bad.
Option 3- Purchase an instrument. Again, make sure to go to an actual music store. You can buy used instruments from people who own them, but look up brand names and model numbers to locate information before you buy, or ask your music teacher. You don't want to waste money on a very cheap instrument that will cost more to make playable. An average starting price for a new beginner instrument is approximately $250 for a violin or viola, and $750 or more for a cello. There are some cheaper instruments that are used from the music store that may work. They will still be $180 or more, and over $600 for cellos. E-bay, Amazon, and non-music stores are risky and may sell you something that looks like an instrument, but sounds terrible. That can cause a lot of frustration for the stduents. Colored instruments generally are all of poor quality and do not sound good. Some professionals have, for example, a black violin made for them, but they pay a few thousand to have it done right. A $75 purple violin is going to be a terrible instrument.....it might be a great decoration, though!
Here are some links to help you out!
Summerhays www.summerhaysmusic.com/ (they also deliver to the school!)
Riverton www.rivertonmusic.com/
Charles Lui Violins www.finestringinstruments.com/
Instrument information purchasing www.violinist.com/wiki/buying/
Is it worth it? Read this!
A form will be sent home for you to communicate your decision with the music teacher. Please return it as soon as possible.