School District Instruments

Instruments that are owned and rented by Hellgate Elementary School District No. 4, are currently being rented for the school year and summer months.  There are a limited number of instruments available.  Prices, contracts and such are provided by the district administration offices.   Not all instruments are allowed to go home with students.  If you have any questions please call your child's building office for further information.  Scholarships are available, please inquire if you need assistance.

Purchase/Rent Your Own Instrument

It is highly encouraged to have your own instrument for practice, concerts and beyond.  The benefit of having your own instrument is that you can take it home, you are able to practice when you want and you have a life-long instrument that you can enjoy forever!  These are places that current and previous Hellgate Elementary Families have rented  and purchased instruments from that had a positive experience.  Thank you families for sharing your favorite locations to rent and own instruments!

Solids, good quality student bow recommendation:  Stefano Composite Bow

MUSIC MEDICS

• • Music Medics  -who we use for our school repairs

  • (406) 549-0889

  • 2935 Stockyard Road, Suite K2, Missoula, MT 59808

    • They carry Yamaha stringed instruments

    • Recommend: Composite bows   

    • Matt Wilson is wonderful to work with and has just started his string division section to his business.

    • Music Medics is located in our school district boundaries.

SOUTHWEST STRINGS

• • Southwest Strings -who we use for our school instruments

    • We use the "Klaus Mueller Etude" Package

    • Stefano Composite bow   

    • any case is good

    • any string set is good

SHAR MUSIC

• • Shar Music  -great catalog and choices

    •  Many students have one of these instruments for a personal instrument

MARK HOLLINGER VIOLINS

• • 406-542-2012 

• http://www.hollingerviolins.com/

  • • Mark has excellent instruments for students looking for a higher end instrument.  Call or email to set up an appointment to see his fine collection of instruments.

STRING INSTRUMENT DIVISION

• • 406 - 549-1502

• Peter Barberio - Luthier 

  • • New, Used & Vintage Instruments and Accessories

GREG BOYD

• 406 - 327 - 9925 

• Sells locally made instruments with a variety of levels and prices

• https://gregboyd.com/product-category/violin-family/

There are other places in town and out that do rent and sell quality string instruments.

This listing is a group of businesses and/or people that have proven through our orchestra families to stand behind their product and have excellent service.

Please feel free to try different options --this is just a listing of places to start or possibly try. 

Please stay away from those $100.00 instruments sometimes found on amazon and Walmart sites.  The amount of money you might have to spend to make them playable outweighs the initial cost.  If the instrument comes in a painted 'color' it is a 5th grade level instrument only.  Those instruments do not support intermediate playing in 6th, 7th, 8th grade and beyond.

I am more than happy to look at an instrument you are thinking of purchasing/renting.  I am available before school and after to take a look, play the instrument for you and do whatever I can to make your decision as easy as possible. 

Recommended  Bows

VIOLIN 

• Stefano Composite Bow  https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/violin/201C

  • • A great beginning student bow

• Arco Nouveau Bow Round Carbon Fiber   https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/violin/VB72

  • • My favorite for a strong middle school, beginning high school student bow

• Arco Nouveau Bow  Hybrid Carbon Fiber  https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/violin/VB601

  • • A step up from the Round version.  This bow gives a better performances

VIOLA

• Stefano Composite Bow    https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/viola/301C

  • • A great beginning student bow

• Arco Nouveau Bow Round Carbon Fiber  https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/viola/VOB72

  • • My favorite for a strong middle school, beginning high school student bow

• Arco Nouveau Bow  Hybrid Carbon Fiber   https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/viola/VB601

  • • A step up from the Round version.  This bow gives a better performances

CELLO

• Stefano Composite Bow     https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/cello/401C

  • • A great beginning student bow

• Arco Nouveau Bow Round Carbon Fiber   https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/cello/CB72

  • • My favorite for a strong middle school, beginning high school student bow

• Arco Nouveau Bow  Hybrid Carbon Fiber   https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/cello/CB603

  • • A step up from the Round version.  This bow gives a better performances

BASS  (most students use the French Style, German is a style students try in middle school on request)

• Stefano Composite Bow      https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/bass/501C

  • • A great beginning student bow

• Arco Nouveau Bow Round Carbon Fiber    https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/bass/BB72

  • • My favorite for a strong middle school, beginning high school student bow

• Arco Nouveau Bow  Hybrid Carbon Fiber      https://www.swstrings.com/product/bows/bass/BB95

  • • A step up from the Round version.  This bow gives a better performances

Recommended Accessories

Information on New Strings and Re-hairing your Bow