There are two different meeting times for each instrument and students are to pick the one that works with their schedule the best. It is only necessary to attend one meeting. While students are still in the 5th grade, Ms. Shaffer travels to the elementary schools to introduce the instruments to the students. From there they are asked to pick their 2 favorite instruments and they are assigned to one of their choices. No, instruments are not provided by the school.
Parents have three choices when it comes to getting an instrument for their child.
They can buy or rent a new one or a used one from any of the surrounding music companies, they can use one they already have, or they can take a chance and go to pawn shops to buy one. Pawn shops seem like they are really good deals, but instruments taken to Pawn Shops are usually not made from good materials and the instruments, when broken, are not able to be fixed because the metals used to make them are so soft that any repairs would melt them. Music companies, depending on their type of rental program, can be very beneficial. Most companies can provide insurance on instruments that will cover any stolen instruments and can do repairs that are covered by factory warranties. The used instruments that are rented out from music companies have been repaired and fixed up and have usually been used by only one person.