The band staff recommends renting an instrument, as opposed to purchase, for beginning band students. There is no guarantee that your child will have success on a particular instrument. Most music stores have an initial 3- to 4-month rental period. This trial period gives parents, students and teachers an opportunity to evaluate progress, interest, and the potential for a successful musical experience.
The Monona Grove Music Department works with two music companies which rent instruments and provide service to the schools. Both companies rent quality instruments and have good rental programs. The links below will take you to their websites.
Ward-Brodt Music is located on the beltline highway in Madison. Their music store representative visits our district once a week to take care of any instrument rental needs that may arise.
White House of Music has several stores located in suburbs near Milwaukee. Their music store representative also visits our district once a week to take care of instrument rental needs.
Some families may be interested in purchasing an instrument. The Monona Grove Music Department suggests buying a quality instrument from a reputable musical instrument dealer.
Some students use instruments borrowed from other family members or friends. If you will be using a previously-owned instrument, please have it checked by a music repair technician. There is nothing more frustrating for a student than to be trying to play on an instrument that is not working properly.
WARNING:
Care should be taken if families are interested in purchasing a "bargain" instrument online. The pictures below show an example of an inexpensive instrument purchased from an online seller. This a trumpet looks fine, but once the instrument arrived the flaws became apparent.
The valves should look smooth, and they should be plated so that the brass doesn't show. These valves haven't been plated, and are scratchy sounding when they move up and down. They stick and move slowly, making this trumpet useless. Because this instrument was not created using quality materials, instrument repair technicians were unable to correct its flaws.
