Incoming Students
How To Get An Instrument
We are so excited to have you joining the Clague Orchestras!
Below, you will find important detailed information about getting a stringed instrument to use this coming year.
You can also watch the presentation to the right for an introduction to the music program at Clague. The presentation is approximately 15 minutes in length. You can progress through slides if needed.
Obtaining An Instrument
When renting or purchasing a stringed instrument it is important to get the correct size, and have the equipment that will ensure the best learning outcomes. At the start of the school year, all students will meet with their teacher to determine the best size instrument. An instrument that is too large can cause poor playing position and will impede progress, and having a poor quality shoulder and chin-rest can lead to discomfort, frustration and ultimately discouragement.
VIOLIN: All students who play the violin are required to rent or buy their own instrument.
VIOLA: AAPS has a limited number of violas to provide one instrument for students to use and take back and forth to school.
CELLO & BASS: Students will be assigned one instrument to use at school as a shared instrument (with students in other classes). Depending on availability, students may also be assigned a second instrument to keep at home for practice.
Please keep in mind that our inventory is limited and is shared with all schools within the AAPS. First priority will go to student instrument use at schools across the district before instruments are allowed for home use (sometimes as late as mid-October) Because of this, it is recommended that you consider renting your own instrument for use at home.
We will not exclude any student from participating in music if they cannot afford an instrument or any repair or maintenance fees. Speak with your music teacher if you need to use an AAPS instrument.
Switch Instruments by Permission Only
Certain instruments are not offered to 5th graders due to size, difficulty, etc. Early in the 6th grade year, students may have the opportunity to progress naturally to related instruments, ex. Cello to bass, baritone to tuba, or flute to oboe or bassoon. These changes are within an instrument family and are usually natural and successful with an appropriate plan.
Instrument changes across families are not recommended. This is very challenging and will need the help of a private tutor, and taking the AAPS Summer Music beginning instrument class.
There is no fee to use an Ann Arbor Public Schools Instrument. However, families are responsible for the cost of repairs/replacment caused by damage by the student. Please see the Guarantee Agreement language, below:
We, the under signed, in partial consideration of the loan of the musical instrument(s) described above, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do hereby individually and severally agree to be responsible for the return of said instrument(s) to the ANN ARBOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS during or at the close of the present school year, in approximately their present condition; provided, that should the instrument(s) become damaged through careless handling, faulty use, or accidental breakage, during the period of the present loan, to any greater extent than the results of ordinary wear, we agree to reimburse the said Ann Arbor Public Schools in an amount sufficient to restore the instrument(s) to its former condition, and provide further, that should an instrument become lost or destroyed during the loan period, we agree to pay the Ann Arbor Public Schools a sum sufficient to pay for the purchase of an instrument of equal value.
Renting an Instrument
All of the listed music stores (below) offer a rent-to-own plan. An advantage to renting includes trading up when ready without needing to sell the smaller instrument, as well as investing over time for the purchase of a higher quality full-sized instrument.
Finding out the conditions of the rental agreements will help you comparison shop: what is the quality of the instrument; how much of the rental fee goes toward the purchase of an instrument; what is their repair and insurance policy; and what materials and equipment are included in the rental (please see needed materials).
INSTRUMENT STORES
SPECIAL NOTE: The internet is NEVER the place to find good quality & value in stringed instruments. A good rule of thumb is to avoid purchasing an instrument from any retailer where you can also buy your socks. There is a great risk for poor quality, as there are no safe-guards for pricing and manufacture.
Hewitt’s Music
Farmington, MI
(248) 957-9090
https://hewittsmusic.com
Psarianos Strings
157 East Hoover, Ann Arbor
(248) 689-6189
Buying Used
There are fundamental quality specifications on an instrument that need to be checked over by a teacher before the purchase of any instrument. When buying used, learn the price of a NEW student instrument before you shop for used. Buying used from a music store is practical if they offer a warranty. If you buy from a private party or friend, consider borrowing the instrument or leaving a deposit, then bring it to a music teacher or a music store to be inspected.