Obtaining an Instrument:
There are four ways to acquire a band instrument.

• Rent or Rent-to-own an instrument: Rental is the most popular method of acquiring a band
  instrument and is the method I recommend. A substantial portion, or all, of the rent you have paid to the
  music store will be applied to the purchase-price if you decide to buy the instrument at a later date. You
  should be aware that the overall cost of this method is greater than simply purchasing the instrument in the
  beginning, but renting provides more flexibility. The school does rent instruments but no option of
  purchasing is available.
• Purchase a new or used instrument from a store: These instruments come with a guarantee.
  Purchasing the instrument outright is the least expensive method of buying an instrument, considerably
  cheaper in overall cost than renting-to-own. Most stores will actually buy back the instrument from you
  later, less the appropriate rental fee, if a change of course or changed instrument is desired.
• Purchase a used instrument from a private party: Instrument should be properly serviced in
  time for the first band class in September.
• Borrow: Instrument should be properly serviced in time for the first band class in September.
  
• Students are expected to rent or purchase their own instrument from a music
  company if they do not already have one available. I suggest you order your
  instrument and the required supplies online from our local music store, Tapestry
  Music, and they will deliver it to the school for you. This will be the easiest and
  quickest way to get started.
  Go to: https://www.tapestrymusic.com/t-rentalprogram.aspx
  Also, here’s a short video explaining what to do:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ec7f_Bam0w
  If the cost is a problem, please notify the school and we will try to arrange an alternative. Larger
  and more expensive instruments (ex. euphoniums) may be borrowed from the school while supplies last.
  The cost is $ 130.00 for the year. I will notify each student if he/she will be playing one of these larger
  instruments.
  The following supplies should be purchased when you obtain the instrument
  (if you order through Tapestry Music, this can be done online with the instrument
  order):
  Clarinets: swab, mouthpiece brush, cork grease, and a box of 10 Reeds #2
  Saxophones: a pull through swab (not a pad saver), mouthpiece brush, cork grease,
  and a box of 10 Reeds #2
  Trumpets: snake, mouthpiece brush, slide grease, and valve oil
  Trombones: snake, mouthpiece brush, slide cream and spray bottle
  Euphoniums: snake, mouthpiece brush, slide grease, and valve oil
  If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail Dr. Mac at smaclennan@vsb.bc.ca