INSTRUMENTS:

All students should arrange a rental from an area music store for the instrument of their choice-violin, viola, cello or bass. Rent an Instrument at first! Rental plans give you a chance to see how your child progresses before you invest a large amount of money. They also allow you to rent a small size then move into a full size. Most plans apply all or a portion of rent to purchase. Do not get confused by the terms lease versus rent. You are in great shape as long as the plan allows you to accumulate a portion of your payments toward a purchase and allows you to return the instrument free of penalty should your child decide not to continue studies in 7^th or 8^th grade. I also HIGHLY recommend that you include the maintenance/replacement insurance when you select your plan.

Any student unable to rent an instrument should submit a letter requesting the use of a school instrument for the year. These are contracted out on a first come first serve basis and require an annual $50 maintenance fee before the student may take it home. Any student playing a cello or bass will have a school instrument to play at school and will keep their rental at home for practice.

**Please do not acquire an instrument off of the Internet. There are MANY instruments for sale on the Internet that are inexpensive, but are very poor quality instruments. These instruments often require additional work to get them in playing condition, and the work can be expensive. The poor quality also makes it more difficult for a student to play. If you would like to speak with me about purchasing off of the Internet, please call or email me!

Local Music Dealers

The following is a list of local music dealers who have rented to League students in the past. Please understand that I do not endorse one store over another. I do recommend that you check around to find the plan that is best for you. I highly recommend that you use a plan that includes insurance on the instrument and a store with an in-house repair person.

Bernhardt House of Violins – (282-8887) Bernhardt is located at 5 Cateechee Street off of Augusta Road. If you go from town towards Augusta Road on Church Street, you will turn left on Augusta, then Cateechee will be the 3^rd right. They do have an excellent in-house repairperson who does work in a timely fashion. I use them for most repairs on school instruments.

Jim Clinton Violins – (322-2622) Jim’s store is located at 3400-D Rutherford Road Extension. He does set-up and repair work in his shop and provides a “help-line” over the Internet for your assistance. Don’t let the name fool you. He does work with instruments other than violins!

Pecknel Music Store (244-7881) Pecknel is located near our school on Pleasantburg Drive near the Lake Forest Plaza. Pecknel stocks many different brands of instruments, and they have new as well as used instruments. They do have an in-house repairperson.

Musical Innovations-(286-8742) Musical Innovations is located at 150 Tanner Road off of Woodruff Road. They have nice instruments and do schedule pick up visits at the school to assist parents.