A little pissed about musical instruction
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Anonymous
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At the end of last year DD was tested by the music teacher to see what kind of instrument she would be good at playing. We were instructed to not purchase any of the instruments for the kids via the internet. They didn't say we needed to rent or buy the instruments.
DD comes home from her first day of school with a note telling us she needs to purchase or rent the instrument and buy all instructional material (sheet music). When the hell did schools stop supplying, or renting, the instruments themselves at affordable rates? DH isn't working and there is no way in God's name we can afford to have DD play the clarinet. Of course she's not the one that picked the instrument for her the music teacher did and she picked one of the most expensive instruments out there for her. Now, I have to write the music teacher and tell her DD can't take up an instrument. |
Anonymous
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In my experience, students have always had to provide the instrument. Luckily you can rent pretty inexpensively. Dale Music in Silver Spring offers the following rates: http://dalemusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Brochure2009.pdf
It's been around since I was a kid. |
Anonymous
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http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mirage-TTC50WA-Woodgrain-Bb-Clarinet-with-Case/17615924
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mirage-TTC50WA-Woodgrain-Bb-Clarinet-with-Case/17615924 I'd buy a cheap one as it is just as much as renting. I'd talk to the teacher if you cannot afford a cheap one and tell them either they supply, cheaper one or she cannot do it till the money situation changes. I would buy over the internet. You don't need a good/fancy one at that grade level. Upgrade later on. You can always return Walmart if it is terrible. Or, 130 at Target. http://www.target.com/p/levar-lv100-bb-clarinet-black-lv100-clarinet/-/A-13559429#prodSlot=medium_1_1 Or, 104 at meijer (not sure about shipping costs) but I've bought from them. http://www.meijer.com/s/levar-bb-clarinet/_/R-259864;jsessionid=8C4C67510FF765E97A7D36F75BF728BE.instance03?CAWELAID=1921314470&cagpspn=pla&cmpid=Google-G_US_Meijer_eCom_PLA_Electronics_Computers&gclid=CN-49KPXirkCFVOe4AoduEAA_Q&kpid=BCLLV100 |
Anonymous
Unfortunately it's still too expensive. The letter didn't have any information about instruments provided by the school district but it looks like we can get one if we qualify for the free lunch program. We weren't filling that out because our kids do not eat school lunch because one kid is allergic to soy, corn, and fruit. |
Anonymous
We were told not to buy one online without the teacher's approval because she doesn't want any subpar instruments. It's just a total pain in the ass and a blow that these things aren't provided like they were when we were kids. |
Anonymous
| You might find one on eBay. If you qualify for free lunch, you should go ahead and enroll and get the instrument through the school. I think if you talk to the teacher, they will help figure out something. |
Anonymous
| When I was a kid, you still had to pay for them, but I think they helped many kids who needed it. |
Anonymous
In private and public PGC schools for decades now, the norm has been renting instruments. The only thing given to me to play in PGC in 1974 was the triangle, and we always fought over those! 
My kids always rented-to-own through Music and Arts. I finally broke down and bought better quality (not student) clarinets by mid-high school age. |
Anonymous
| Oh...PP here...the school typically has a couple of instruments available if you can't afford one, though you'll still have to spring for a mouthpiece. Not sure why the teacher cares about quality--most beginners play on cheap POS clarinets. |
Anonymous
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Well, I filled out the free/reduced lunch paperwork. Here's to hoping we get a cheap instrument.
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Anonymous
When I was a kid you had to rent/buy your own (mid-80s). Sounds like your school did it a bit differently but I don't think that was the norm. |
Anonymous
Hey, OP. My advice is fill it out anyway. The school receives additional funding based on how many kids qualify. Also, if you make a case to the music teacher that you cannot afford a rental, they may provide a loaner. They do have some for just such an occasion. at least my son's elementary school did. |
Anonymous
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You can find a cheap clarient in a pawn shop. I played sax and clarinet throughout grade school and in college. I got my first instruments from a cheap pawn shop. A clarinet is a pretty cheap instrument used. The only instruments my school provided were things like drums or the Tuba because those can be pretty expensive to purchase. A clarinet is actually one of the cheapest instruments you can get.
I wouldn't stress about getting a high end instrument, your daughter might be over music in a year. But if she is still into it and your finances improve then purchase her a quality instrument. |
Anonymous
| I would definitely bring it up to the teacher. They must have some type of program that can accommodate for situations like this. |
Anonymous
Tell her tuff. This is what you can afford or she can provide it. Kids at that age do not know quality or care. I would not buy an expensive one as they can lose them, lose interest, etc. They were not usually provided for us at a kid in Montgomery County. Parents usually rented for a year and then bought. For $100+, I'd just buy and sell on Craig's List as it is cheaper. They had a few instruments and I'm sure those went to the low income kids, which was fine. |