Want to learn more about each instrument?

Learn about the instruments in the band and orchestra and hear from adults and students about the amazing power of music!

So... you have decided you're joining our music program... GREAT!!! 
The next step is renting or acquiring an instrument. 
here are your options:

HOW MUCH DOES THIS REALLY COST?
Concert Uniform: All band and orchestra students will be required to purchase a blue polo shirt that students wear to concerts and performances.  THIS IS A SPECIAL POLO SHIRT THAT ALL MUSIC STUDENTS MUST HAVE INCLUDES OUR LOGO. This polo may also be worn to school as part of the daily uniform! Also required for performances are solid black pants, solid black shoes and solid black socks. The polo costs approx. $15.
 
Option 1- Rent through Quinlan & Fabish- our preferred instrument vendor.
--> Visit www.qandf.com to rent on-line, call 1-800-63-SOUSA or visit 130 E. Edison Rd., Mishawaka 
1. Rent your instrument
Initial Instrument Rental Cost through Q & F (this covers the FIRST FOUR MONTHS!)
*$72.00 initial payment for flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, bell kit
*$119.00 initial payment for oboe and alto saxophone                             
*$149.00 initial payment for euphonium (talk to the Q&F about lower cost options)
*$69.00 initial payment for violin or viola
*$99.00 initial payment for cello
*156.00 initial payment for string bass

Quinlan & Fabish offers a rent to own program for instrument rental.
The introductory period covers four months.
This introductory price also includes Maintenance and Replacement Coverage.
 
2. Additional Supply Costs
We have asked Quinlan & Fabish to start all of our students out right with the tools they need for learning an instrument. The exact items differ by instrument but might include valve oil, a box of reeds, a swab to clean out the inside of the instrument, rosin, etc.  Your instrument will not work without these items, so please purchase them now.
 
3. If renting, monthly payments will begin four months after the initial payment and continue until the instrument is paid off. (There is a discount offered for paying the instrument off early.)
* $35.00 a month for flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone and bell kit
* $49.00 a month for oboe and alto saxophone
* $59.00 a month for euphonium
* $23.00 a month for violin or viola
* $33.00 a month for cello
* $59.00 a month for euphonium
 
The rent-to-own program works differently for band and orchestral instruments.  Please talk to the Quinlan & Fabish representative if you need information about the long term/payoff costs of your instrument.
 
Please do NOT let cost be a factor on whether or not you can afford band. Quinlan & Fabish offers many different brand names for many different budgets.  Please ask them to recommend an instrument based on your needs.  Please note: the monthly cost will be the same, but the difference will be in the overall long-term cost of the instrument.
 1-800-63-SOUSA or visit www.qandf.com. Quinlan & Fabish is located at 30 E. Edison Rd., Mishawaka
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Option 2- Use an instrument YOU ALREADY OWN or acquire one on your own through a friend or other source.
--> Check out SECOND SONG, an instrument re-sale store in Goshen! They are located at 1100 N. Chicago Avenue or you can call #574-202-5502. Bill Landow, the owner, has an amazing story about starting the store and is a great person. He has a heart of gold and is willing you help you out the best he can! He has GREAT low prices on GREAT instruments.  If you see him, tell him Ms. Brown from Career Academy sent you!

Need another option for purchasing an instrument? Check out Woodwind and Brasswind. --> www.wwbw.com
​
Do NOT purchase a no-name, no-brand instrument on-line. (Amazon, Walmart and Costco are not reputable sources for instruments in many cases.)
Please note: You get what you pay for. A better instrument will last longer and play better. A cheap, poorly made instrument may not even last a single year and music stores will not fix it. Choosing a good brand name is as important when buying an instrument as it is when buying any valuable item. The brand name is usually a good indicator of overall quality, including how well the instrument will last over time, its ease of play, tone quality, and the eventual resale value of the instrument. When obtaining an instrument, if you are not sure if the instrument you want to purchase is a good choice, please ask Ms. Brown! Good instruments are not the cheapest, but you will save money in the long run.  
 
QUALITY BRAND NAMES
High (easy to play on, great instrument, retains value well, least maintenance required)
Yamaha, Selmer, Gemeinhardt, Bach, Buffet, Holton French horns.
Medium High (easy to play on, good student instrument, good value)
King, Armstrong, Conn, Holton, Artley, Benge, Accent, Jupiter, Ludwig, Vito
Medium (acceptable student instruments, good value)
Besson, Bundy, Getzen, Leblanc, Blessing, Boosey & Hawkes, Reynolds, Olds, Eastman, Emerson
Not Recommended (require constant maintenance, difficult/impossible to repair, lose value quickly)
"No Name", First Act, Harmony, Monique, Amati, Wurlitzer, Lafayette, Heimer, Overstock.com. Many instruments sold at large general retailers.
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Option 3- Pay a one-time yearly fee and borrow a school-owned instrument.
LIMITED band and string orchestra instruments are available for students to use each year.
You must pay a yearly, one-time fee of $50.00 to use the instrument. Since we only have a limited number of school-owned instruments, they will be given out on a first come, first serve basis. Please fill out the attached form and return it as soon as possible. No form will be counted as “submitted” until the $50 is also included.
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Instrument Specific Supplies: Please make sure your child has the following
Flute: cleaning rod (plastic) and cloth or Hanky swab; polishing cloth optional
Oboe: pull through swab, 2-3 wooden reeds (medium or medium-hard strength)
Bassoon: pull through swab (silk), 2-3 wooden reeds (ask Mrs. Brown)
Clarinet: pull through swab or Hanky swab, at least 2-3 reeds, box of 10 preferred*
Saxophone: pull through swab or Hanky swab, at least 2-3 reeds, box of 10 preferred*
Trumpet/Euphonium (Baritone): valve oil; polishing cloth optional
Trombone: Slide cream; polishing cloth optional
Percussion: Kit including bells, practice pad, sticks and mallets; stick bag optional
Strings: Rosin, shoulder rest for violins and violas, extra strings

Please see the following documents:

how_much_does_this_really_cost_.pdf
File Size: 294 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
q___f_band_rental_plan.pdf
File Size: 419 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
q___f_orchestra_rental_plan.pdf
File Size: 257 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
school_owned_instrument_contract_2020-2021.pdf
File Size: 234 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
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