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There are THREE basic ways to get an instrument for school lessons: Renting an instrument, purchasing an instrument, or requesting a school instrument. We cover the ins-and outs of each choice below! Some things to consider are:
Quality - while there are cheap instruments to be found on the web, many of them are inferior and not suitable for school ensembles. If you are requesting a school instrument, you should also know that you are not getting a new instrument - you are getting an older instrument that has been used by many students before you, some of our instruments are more the 30 years old!
Instrument Choice - requesting a school instrument is free, but you will be limited to the instruments available at our school. If you are set on playing a specific instrument, you must realize that we may not have that specific instrument available for you to borrow. If you want a specific instrument you should really consider renting.
Price - money is probably the most significant factor in making this decision! Continue reading below to weigh the pros an cons of each choice: renting, borrowing from MCS, or purchasing.
Renting
Renting
Renting an instrument is the best way to get the instrument you really want! When you rent you KNOW that you'll get a mostly brand new instrument of your choice, but there are many, many other benefits of renting include free repairs, the ability to switch instruments (yes you can decide to play a different instrument and they'lll switch it out at no cost!), and you can rent-to-buy a quality instrument! Our instrument rental company is Elefante Music, but you can choose any rental company you like. Elefante, however, has representatives that visits all of our schools on a weekly basis for repairs and deliveries so they are a very convenient choice.
IMPORTANT NOTE: when renting a string instrument (violin, viola, or cello) you MUST to order the correct size for your child! Please see Elefante's sizing guide before ordering your instrument!
Our district's code is 136082025 - you will need this code to rent an instrument! Write it down!
If you're ready to complete your RENTAL FORM - visit the Elefante Rental site to complete your purchase.
Don't forget that you also need to complete Step 3: Register Today so Mr. Puchinsky knows you're joining the band!
Buying an Instrument
Buying an Instrument
Buying an instrument is not recommended, but you may already own an instrument - you can use that too! Purchasing an instrument can be expensive and there are many inferior, in-expensive instruments that might appear to be great deals, but they are very poor quality instruments that may not be usable in a school ensemble. If you really want to purchase your instrument, please email Mr. Puchinsky at spuchinsky@bboed.org for help.
If you already have an instrument please bring it to an instrument repair shop to have it checked out so that you know it is in good working condition.
If you're sure that you want to purchase an instrument, simply move on to Step 3: Register Today to let Mr. Puchinsky know!
Borrow a School Instrument
Borrow a School Instrument
If you cannot rent or purchase an instrument, you may be able to request to use a school instrument - but your selection will be limited to what's available. As of Spring 2025, instrument availability may be very limited for the 2025-26 school year. Most of Midtown's instruments are already being used by current band members.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO REQUEST A SCHOOL INSTRUMENT - we will not be able to confirm that we have an instrument for you until the Fall of 2025, you may not have an instrument and may not be able to join.
IF YOU WOULD STILL LIKE TO REQUEST A SCHOOL INSTRUMENT
Students and parents will be asked to choose their TOP THREE choices for a school instrument. Mr. Puchinsky will do his best to get everyone who requests an instrument one of their top three choices, but there is a chance that we will not have an instrument available.
School instruments are also loaned to students based on their previous deportment, Math, and ELA grades. Students who have failing grades will have a very low chance of being awarded a school instrument.
If you would like to request a school instrument simply move on to Step 3: Register Today.
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