Because the school’s resources are limited, it will be necessary for most students to secure their own instrument by means of rental or purchase. Instruments, complete with care and maintenance kits, are available on a lease (or rent-to-own) basis. Our local music retailer is listed below:
If you are unable to purchase or rent an instrument from the music store, we have a limited supply of school owned rentals available. Parents and student are responsible to maintain the instrument during the time it is being loaned including paying for any necessary repairs whether due to negligence or accident. The instrument must be returned at the end of the school year, and a final inspection of playing condition will be performed before the student is released from responsibility. Please fill out this rental form once you have the school instrument.
Although some people think off-brand products are improving, they are generally very inferior to the established music lines. I find it better to avoid them entirely. Quality instruments give your child a much better chance to succeed. Some of the off-brand names are so bad that I will not allow students to begin on them. They are made of cheap metal and poor materials that are not durable and play out of tune. Worse, no repairman can find any parts for these “economy” instruments when they need repair. Below is a list of the preferred instruments for the Whitford Bands Program. I recommend these instruments because of their history of quality craftsmanship, high-grade materials, and the recommendations of the finest teachers. If you are planning buying an instrument outside of what Music and Arts offer these are the instruments I recommend: