INSTRUMENT repairs, returns, & CARE

PROBLEM WITH YOUR INSTRUMENT?

Email Tim Buckingham. Provide a detailed description of the problem.
You will likely need to get the instrument looked at ASAP for a diagnosis.
If needed, I will set up a repair service. I will include you and your parents in an email with details. In most cases, I use Ellis Music's repair shop.
SEE INFORMATION ABOUT REPAIRS & INSTRUMENT CARE BELOW!

RETURNS

Before returning your instrument and discontinuing in SCS Band, please follow the enrollment commitment. To return your rental or school-owned instrument, please follow these directions:

1) Contact the band director at tbuckingham@cvsdvt.org.

2) Call Ellis Music at (800) 244-7664 if you are a rental customer.

3) Return the instrument to school office or band office promptly.

INSTRUMENT CARE

The proper care of an instrument ensures its long life, prevents disruptions to instruction and practice, and generally minimizes hassles! Remember, instruments are expensive and intricate. Here are general maintenance tips:

Routinely lubricate brass valves & slides (they may need cleaning first with a lint-free cotton cloth)
Proper assembly of woodwinds is essential to keeping bridge keys from bending or breaking!
Store your instrument properly. Keep in the case when not in use. Use a mouthpiece cover if taking a break.
Most accidents happen when instruments are dropped or bumped against blunt objects -- always be careful!
Take care of your reeds & mouthpieces -- store them properly, replace them if they are splintered or chipped, and keep them clean.

MAINTENANCE SUPPLIES

Almost any supply can be ordered through our cooperating dealer, Ellis Music Company. Call to order the supply (802) 234-6400, order online, or place an order through Tim Buckingham (tax free!). The supplies can be delivered to your home or to SCS on Mondays.

Listed below are some basic supplies necessary for each instrument. Most supplies come with the rental package, however some do not. Complete care kits are also sold for each instrument.

- - - Flute: cleaning rod, cleaning cloth, silver polishing cloth*
    - Clarinet: swab, reeds ^, mouthpiece brush*
    - Saxophones: neck and body swabs*, mouthpiece brush*, lacquer polishing cloth*
    - Trumpet/French Horn/Tuba: valve or rotor oils, mouthpiece brush *, tuning slide grease, lacquer polishing cloth*
    - Trombone: slide oil or mix +, spray bottle of water +, tuning slide grease*, mouthpiece brush*, polishing cloth*
    - Drums and percussion: drum key, pad, sticks (Vic Firth SD1 General recommended) and mallets.

* = not included in rental and must be purchased additionally.
^ = one reed is included in the rental but additional reeds must be purchased. Strength: 2 ½ Rico brand reeds are recommended for beginners.
+ = slide cream comes with the rental, however the cream requires spritzes of water -- a small spray bottle ("Bone" Bottle) is required for purchase.

REPAIRS

Minor repairs and adjustments can be made at school, however often instruments will need repair by a certified technician. Please do not attempt to fix problems at home.

- - - - Rental customers will have most services covered under your rental contract’s insurance plan (R&RP).
        Non-rental customers: Most often, I use Ellis Music's repair shop. They will notify you with an estimate.
        Ellis Music or SCS will provide a loaner instrument for the time period that the instrument is in the shop so that there is no interruption to instruction and practice.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS FOR REPAIRS

- - - - DROP your instrument to Bucky on Monday morning. Take your supplies out of your case and place them in your cubby in the storage room.
        PICK-UP a loaner instrument on Monday afternoon. You can put your supplies in your loaner case.
        Usually rental repairs take 1 week, other instruments may take longer. DROP the loaner instrument to the Band Office on or before the Monday morning we expect your repaired instrument to arrive. Take ALL supplies out of your loaner case and place them in your cubby in the storage room.
        Finally, PICK-UP your repaired instrument in the Band Office on Monday afternoon. Remember to place your supplies from your cubby back in your own case!

Other repair services to consider:

- - - - Music & Arts (Burlington): 802-863-8652

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