We’re so excited you’ve chosen to support your child’s interest in beginning band! In order for your child to start band lessons this summer, you will need to acquire a student level instrument.

​

Please note: Due to extreme pitch problems, lack of durability and repair policies of local music stores concerning generic/off-brand instruments, please be sure you acquire an instrument from the preferred brands list below. A variety of non-music stores and/or websites offer substandard quality instruments, but the pitch problems and lack of repair options can jeopardize your child’s band experience. When you rent/purchase a quality instrument for your child–that can be repaired if needed—you are giving them the best chance for success. Instruments do not need to be new, used instruments are perfectly acceptable! 

​

Preferred Instrument Brands

Flute: Armstrong, Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Pearl, Trevor James, Bundy, Selmer, Artley

​

Clarinet: Yamaha, Selmer, Jupiter, Armstrong, Buffet, Bundy, LeBlanc, Noblet, Accent

​

Alto Sax and Tenor Sax: Selmer, Yamaha, Jupiter, Buffet, Bundy, Cannonball, Antigua, Accent

​

Trumpets: Bach, Yamaha, Selmer, Conn, Besson, Jupiter, Accent, Jupiter

 

Trombone: Yamaha, Jupiter, Getzen, Blessing, Bach, Selmer, Conn, King, Olds, Accent

 

Percussion: Ludwig, Mapex, Tama, Remo, Pearl, Vic Firth, Yamaha: Snare kit and practice pad

​

Most French Horn, Baritone, and Tuba players will rent their instruments from the school.

 

FAQs about getting a band instrument

Where can we rent or purchase an instrument?​

West Music out of Coralville, Iowa, is a local music store that carries only reputable brands. They have a purchase and rent-to-own program. Rent-to-own is a great way to at least start a student since it means you don't have to drop hundreds of dollars on an instrument and then find out your child doesn't really want to do band. There are other stores in the state and Midwest. Ask Miss Westfall if you are unsure if a website or store is reputable!

​

West Music Coralville:

For all your music needs: woodwind, brass, or percussion. 

• 1212 5th Street Coralville, IA 52241 Phone: 319-351-2000

• Website: https://www.westmusic.com/ 

• West Music Online Rental Website

​

Where can I get an instrument repaired or have it put in good playing condition?

West Music also does repairs and instrument cleaning.

• Instruments for repair or cleaning can be brought to Miss Westfall for West Music to pick up.

​​​​

​

Are there school-owned instruments we can use?​

The school does own some instruments and can rent them out, but typically these are only the larger, more expensive instruments.  School instruments are $130 for a full year of rental which is paid at school registration.  Some of our school instruments aren't exactly beautiful since they are used year after year and some are pushing 30 years old. If you are financially capable of buying/renting instead of going through the school district, I highly recommend it since students take more pride and ownership of their playing when they play a nicer instrument- plus you'll usually pay less money in the long run!!

 

Percussionists also pay a fee at registration since they use school instruments such as bass drums, triangles, tambourines, cymbals, etc.  That fee is $25 each year.

​

School Owned Instruments- (We have had many students buy/rent these from West however!)

Tenor Saxophone

French Horn

Baritone/Euphonium

Tuba

​​

​​

Can I use an old family-owned instrument?​

Often times it is an advantage to use an old family-owned instrument for the initial year(s) of band experience. We prefer that these instruments are one of our recommended brands and we suggest that you take the instrument to a local music store to make sure it is in good working condition. There is nothing more frustrating for a beginner than trying to progress on an instrument that does not work properly.

​​

​

Can I buy an instrument from a newspaper ad, garage sale or buy/sell/trade site?​​

You might be able to find a quality instrument this way but the saying “you get what you pay for” is typically true when it comes to instruments.  There are some brands of instruments that music companies will not repair, because extra parts are not made for them. The preferred brands listed above make extra parts for repair.  Some instruments are just made very poorly and will make playing the instrument VERY difficult for your child. I have had multiple families purchase online instruments that break in less than a month of use and a few that have arrived already in a condition that they cannot be played!  Please ask me or another music teacher before buying an instrument online to make sure it is a good brand. We want your student to have a quality instrument so they can be successful.

​

​