5th Grade Band

How to rent an instrument - Visit one of the companies websites.

Beginning band and playing an instrument is an exciting time for all students.  It is also a little stressful for parents to locate an instrument for their child.  There are several avenues to acquire an instrument including asking family members for an instrument in the closet, buying an instrument from a community member or from West Music, through the Sweetwater Instrument Rentals and finally receiving an instrument from the school band program or the Band-By-Jake Program.  All avenues have their positives and negatives, but you need to decide what is the best route for your family.  The band program provides instruments as needed, but the available inventory is very limited.  Likewise the Band-By-Jake instruments are distributed based on the availability of instruments and the financial need of the family.  

If your student currently doesn’t have an instrument to participate in the band program, that is okay.  Please take the next few weeks and work to find an instrument to begin learning. 

West Music Rental site:  https://content.westmusic.com/in-our-stores/music-instrument-rental/.  Instruments purchased/rented will be delivered to Central Lee.  It is best to secure your instrument now!!

If you buy or find a used instrument from another source, please let a local music store check it out and suggest what repairs are needed to make the instrument playable. Buying on the internet is a risky venture, as many websites sell instruments that have proven to be of very poor quality and are almost impossible to keep in good playing condition. An instrument that does not function properly can be a source of frustration for your child and can hinder their progress.  New instruments that can be purchased for under $500 will typically last 1 to 2 years before they need to be replaced. (Most repair shops don’t bother to fix them because it will cost more than what you purchased it for.  If you want to purchase from another website other than West Music.  Please contact me and I will be happy to give you a list of quality brands to search for.  

We are excited to start the 2025-2026 beginning band.  Please take the summer months to arrange for an instrument through your family, a friend, or calling Sweetwater Instrumental Rental or West Music to purchase an instrument.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Tracy Madsen - tmadsen@centrallee.org - 319-835-9510

Heather Madsen - hmadsen@centrallee.org - 319-835-9510