Access Scholarship

The Hillsborough Township Public Schools values the arts education we provide for all of our students. We understand that the monthly rental payments to obtain an instrument to participate in the optional instrumental music program may be significant for some of our families. The Access Scholarship is a result of the generosity of the music vendors Music & Arts and NEMC who have agreed to supply a total of 12 instruments annually to beginning musicians whose families may not otherwise be able to afford an instrument rental. Scholarships will last until the student stops playing or graduates high school at which time the instrument must be returned.

Families eligible for an Access Scholarship must be eligible for free and reduced lunch during the student's 4th-grade year.

Students may choose one of the following instruments if selected for an Access Scholarship:

Flute Clarinet Trumpet Trombone Violin Viola

The instrument, the lesson book, and the damage coverage for necessary repairs will be provided free of charge from NEMC or Music & Arts.

The scholarship awards the instrument to the student but there are still roughly $20-$30 of supplies needed. Families are still responsible for the following items for each instrument (prices are approximate to provide you with a general idea of costs):

• Flute: cleaning cloth (less than $10).

• Clarinet: mouthpiece brush ($5), reed guard ($3-$5), reeds ($20-$25 for a box of 10, will need 1-2 boxes per year, reeds can also be bought a few at a time to keep costs down further; however, a box is the best overall value). The instrument also comes with these items initially but replacement will be needed as time goes on: cork grease ($3), swab ($10).

• Trumpet: mouthpiece brush ($3), slide oil ($5), and a cleaning snake at the end of the 5th-grade year ($7) as well as a valve cleaning brush ($4).

• Trombone: mouthpiece brush ($4), slide oil ($5), and a cleaning snake at the end of the 5th-grade year ($7).

• Violin: shoulder rest ($15), the instrument also comes with rosin initially but replacement will be needed as time goes on ($5).

• Viola: shoulder rest ($23), the instrument also comes with rosin initially but replacement will be needed as time goes on ($5).