Instruments

Acquiring an instrument through Project STEP

Project STEP will lend an instrument to each student at no charge for the duration of their time in Project STEP.  Project STEP will also lend an instrument to parents of first-year students who want to learn along with their children.

Every year, all students borrowing an instrument must sign an instrument agreement and return it to the Project STEP office. When Project STEP lends a new instrument replacing the old one, the student must return the one they were using with all the equipment (bow, case, etc.) to the Project STEP office. All returns must be accompanied with a new set of strings, and the bow must be in good shape. As noted below, parents/students are responsible for bow rehairs and strings.

Maintaining your instrument

Instruments are very delicate, should be handled carefully, and should always be stored in their cases when not being used (between practice sessions).  Instruments should not be left unattended and should not be left in places that are extremely hot (NO CAR TRUNKS) or extremely cold (NO CAR TRUNKS). Instruments should only be played by Project STEP students.

For general inquiries regarding your instrument, contact Christopher Hernandez. He can be reached at (617) 267-5777 or chrishernandez@projectstep.org.

➤ Important:  Parents / students are responsible for bow rehairs, strings, and rosin. New England Violins on Massachusetts Avenue (617-262-8567) is convenient and will re-hair bows.  Johnson’s Strings in Newton (617-964-0954) is also available. Families are also responsible for general supplies such as shoulder rests and straps (bass and cello players), metronomes, tuners, etc. If the cost of these upkeep items poses a burden, call the Project STEP office to discuss alternate arrangements.

➤ Project STEP will cover one major repair to the loaned instrument; the cost of any additional damage done to the instrument is the responsibility of the student’s family.

If your instrument gets damaged, stolen or lost, contact the Project STEP office IMMEDIATELY. 

We ask that you do not take the instrument to get repaired until you have spoken with a member of the Project STEP staff.  DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR AN INSTRUMENT YOURSELF.