Get An Instrument

Each student needs their own instrument for band. You may rent from any company you wish, but we have a strong relationship with Star City Music in Salem, and I respect their products and service. Do not expect that your student can play a school-owned instrument. They are in very short supply and most are very old. Your best bet is to procure your own instrument through a rental company. Students will need instruments as soon as the 3rd week of school next year.

RENT AN INSTRUMENT

We have a great business relationship with Star City Music in Salem. They have a very competitive rental policy. You can check out their website here: www.starcitymusic.com.

Here are some of the benefits of renting from Star City:

One-time rental payment gets you the instrument for the entire school year
While renting, all repairs are free, if it's regular wear & tear. Any intentional or accidental damage is the responsibility of the student
Quality instruments that are guaranteed to be in good playing condition
Star City has a representative that comes to LMS each week to deliver supplies and pick-up & return instruments for repair. You never have to drive to Salem for repairs!

Star City has an amazing rental program where you can rent a quality instrument for as low as $189 for the entire school year! There is a $20 discount if you use their online rental program. You can rent a gently used instrument for less. Instruments will be delivered directly to LMS.

There are other instrumental rental companies in the Roanoke and Lynchburg areas. You are free to make your own decision about who you wish to do business with.

I ALREADY HAVE AN INSTRUMENT

Many families already have instruments at home played by older siblings or mom and dad. Instruments are fairly durable, so an older instrument can often times be just fine. If you are considering using an instrument that hasn't been played in a while, please make an appointment with Mr. Williams to check it out. There may be repairs or maintenance needed in order to get the instrument back into playing condition, especially for flutes and clarinets.

CAUTION

Do not waste money on cheaply constructed instruments. I am aware that you can purchase an instrument on Amazon and other online retailers, but they are not professional instrument dealers and the quality will surely be inferior. Some of the large, "big-box" stores sell instruments, but I can tell you that they will be more trouble than they are worth. You get what you pay for. These instruments are not built to high standards, have soft metals that bend and break, and are consistently inferior in tone and intonation. The frustrations that come with these subpar instruments often cause students to quit band because their instrument is in the shop more than it is in their hands. The professional music stores in our area that rent instruments will ensure that you have an instrument that meets the needs of our band program. If you have a question about a particular brand, Mr. Williams might have some info to help you make a wise decision. He can be contacted at steven.williams@bedford.k12.va.us.

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