How Do I Get An Instrument

How Do I Get an Instrument?

Music Store Rentals/Sales

These are excellent stores for renting and purchasing instruments. Yamaha Brand is recommended for most instruments.

• West Valley Music - 262 Castro St., Mountain View, (650) 961-1566
• Music Village – 2971 Union Ave., San Jose, (408) 377-2504
• Bridgepoint Music – 657 Oak Grove Ave., Menlo Park, (650) 326-7600

If you are renting/buying an instrument from a music store, ask for a contract which includes repair coverage.

School Owned Instruments

Some students borrow school owned instruments. Miller has a limited number of school owned instruments, mostly larger ones. While all students who request an instrument will receive an instrument, students might not get their first choice. School instruments might not be pretty, but they work. Miller does not loan flutes, clarinets, or oboes.

Students in Mustang and Advanced Band who borrowed smaller instruments (alto, tenor sax, trumpet, trombone) from Miller last year are highly encouraged to obtain their own good quality instruments from a music store. Some students who play very large instruments, such as tuba, will need to share the instrument (using own mouthpiece) and practice a different school tuba (a less pretty one) or their own tuba at home.

School instruments are assigned in playing condition. They have been checked and repaired as necessary by an instrument technician over the summer. Those who borrow school instruments are responsible to pay for all repairs needed during the school year. If the instrument suddenly doesn't work, bring it to your band teacher, who might be able to fix it. If not, we will send it in for repairs.

We ask for a $150 fee (to the general band fund) and the Instrument Use Agreement Form. Be sure to your indicate your three instrument choices on the form.