Where do I get an instrument?
Students will need an instrument ideally by mid-Sept. but no later than Oct. 1.
Students will need an instrument ideally by mid-Sept. but no later than Oct. 1.
Option 1: Rent from local music store (rates vary from about $15/mo. to $40/mo. depending on instrument and music store).
While Zeswitz Music is Ms. Cox Forbes's preferred vendor for beginner instrument rentals, please rent from whomever you are most comfortable with.
Higher quality instrument
Some stores will include minor repairs with rental
Almost all stores provide an insurance option for repairs/damage
Pay a little each month
Rates vary by store (comparing is recommended)
Most stores allow you to switch instruments throughout rental process
Read your contract carefully! Some stores do not have a straightforward rent-to-own policy anymore and will only let you apply rental credit to a more expensive instrument down the road.
Higher quality instruments (***double check that the store WILL repair the purchased instrument...some inexpensive instrument models are not high enough quality for stores to repair them.)
Many stores establish relationships or provide insurance for future maintenance and repairs
Pay up front
Cost varies by store (comparing is recommended)
Option 3: Borrow from family member or friend.
repairs may or may not be needed
string instruments may be the wrong size for child (I can measure the student in school)
Free excluding buying a book and accessories
Option 4: Borrow from school.
A LIMITED NUMBER OF INSTRUMENTS ARE RESERVED FOR FAMILIES IN FINANCIAL NEED.
Varying qualities of instruments
Free excluding buying a book and accessories
Parent/guardian responsible for repair/replacement costs should the instrument get damaged.
Please make sure you select "My child will need to borrow an instrument from the school." on the registration form when asked if a school instrument is needed for the above reasons.
Worst/Riskiest option: Purchase on Amazon or eBay.
Brands not listed in the registration letter are generally poorly made.
Many music stores refuse to repair instruments sold online. That means instead of paying for a repair, you have to pay for an entirely new instrument.
Poorly made instruments break easily, sound poorer, and are harder to play.
Even if you are able to find an approved brand online, it could be very old and need hundreds of dollars of repair work. Nothing is really guaranteed.
String Instruments (violin, viola, cello and bass): Herman Beyer, Otto Dahl, Eastman, Glaesel, Franz Helmer, Hans Kroger, William Lewis, Klaus Mueller, Pfretchner, Scherl and Roth (except not recommended for new cellos), Schroetter, Strunal, Suzuki
Flute: Armstrong, Emerson, Gemeinhardt, Yamaha, Selmer, Jupiter, Artley
Clarinet: Selmer, LeBlanc, Yamaha, Artley, Buffet, Jupiter
Trumpet: Conn, Yamaha, Holton, King, Selmer, Jupiter, Blessing
Trombone: Conn, Blessing, Holton, King, Selmer, Jupiter, Yamaha
Saxophone: Armstrong, Conn, Yamaha, King, Selmer, Artley
Percussion Bell Kits: Pearl, Yamaha, Ludwig Musser
We are lucky to have many vendors in Anne Arundel County* who can supply you with an instrument and all necessary accessories! Click HERE for more information about rental or purchase costs from each music store. While Zeswitz Music is Ms. Cox Forbes's preferred vendor for beginner instrument rentals, please rent from whomever you are most comfortable with.
If you have a question about purchasing an appropriate instrument, feel free to reach out to Ms. Cox Forbes! A limited supply of instruments are available from the school at no cost for families who are financially unable to provide their own. School instruments are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are unable to supply your own instrument and must request a school instrument, please choose this option on the registration form when you sign up your child!
🎻STRING ORCHESTRA🎻 STUDENTS: You will need to make sure that you have the correct size instrument. Ms. Cox Forbes is measuring all 3rd graders and sending the information home on a half sheet of paper by the time registration opens. She is available at school to also measure any 4th and 5th graders who wish to be sized. Otherwise, please use this guide to determine the correct size for your child: Violin or Viola; Cello
*AACPS & Ms. Cox Forbes do not give any endorsements for or have affiliations with the listed vendors - these are simply links and flyers that have been provided by the vendors for parents to do their own evalutaions.