If you're considering investing in an instrument, this is a fantastic way to support, encourage and grow your student musicians' abilities. Having your own instrument creates ownership to themselves and the program. And for some, they practice more when they know they've invested into it vs. having a free instrument from me.
First: DO NOT BUY BEFORE YOU TALK WITH ME. I compare it to the first time you buy a car...there's so many out there and the lemons are everywhere! And the majority of people selling instruments...usually USED...on ebay/craigslist/facebook marketplace will lie their butts off to get rid of the instrument. It's easy to get lost or taken advantage of without experienced help. BUT! I am here to help you, and NO I'm not going to only point out the expensive models, I promise! There are a wide variety of QUALITY student model instruments, both new and used, that wont break the bank and are a wonderful instrument that will last a while, even in the hands of our "dainty middle schoolers." :)
Second: It can be quick easy with some help from me, I've been buying instruments for 17 years. I got this. :) I am more than happy to help you purchase an instrument. I'll give your a range of quality instruments from least expensive to the "Cadillac" of the instrument world.
Please, please, PLEASE...consult Mrs. Miller before purchasing anything! (Have I mentioned this enough?) Unfortunately there is a new wave of "chinese instruments" (we playfully call them "instrument shaped objects" or "ISOs" in the band director world) that are taking advantage of parents who honestly don't know much about what they're looking at. They make them in pretty colors to grab the attention of the kid and are stupidly inexpensive to swindle the parent. Trust me, steer far...far...FAR away from these.
The price tag is awesome, but there's a reason. it's cheap. It's made by a company that knows nothing about music or instruments. It will break within days or weeks after purchase. And no repair shops will repair it because the parts aren't even MADE to repair it. It will become a door stop in no time. And then...your kid has no instrument and you've wasted money on something that can't be fixed. If we're into the school year, all my instruments will have been assigned to other students.
These companies are also super creative about describing the instrument in their online blurbs who just don't know what they're looking at, and any band director will laugh at because it's so ridiculous. Some of these "ISOs" are made so poorly they don't even play the RIGHT NOTES! Nothing you can do can fix that! (Also..if it comes with spiffy white gloves, run far...far...FAR away.)