The high cost of band!!

[6_Time_Momma]

DS Bradley is going to be playing the flute in 7th grade band this year. It will cost $50 a month for the first 4 months and then $25 a month thereafter to rent! Geesh!!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

You may want to check in your local "trading post" type newspaper for band instruments. I had an old flute from jr. high that I sold 8 years ago for $125--I think she needed to get new pads on it, but otherwise it was fine. And a big savings over renting. Even if he only stays with it for a year or two, you could get your $$ out of it and resell later.
Robin M.

 

[cinlee3]

My DS tried saxaphone in 6th grade and it was $58.00 a month for the entire school year. On top of that they wanted him to take private lessons at $9.00 a week. Saxaphone was the most expensive non-school provided instrument. He quit after that one year.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

We must be lucky here. Ours was only $30 to rent for the first three monthes and then it increased after you could see if the child liked the instrument. This was for a clarinet for DD and trumpet for DS. When they both wanted to continue, I returned the rental and bought a used instrument. MUCH cheaper. Try asking around to friends with older kids or your band teacher or an instrument repair shop. Both kids were well served by these instruments. DD has been playing 7 years and DS 5. Just now staring to look for a better trumpet.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

My 6th grade DS's rental is $25 a month plus $5 for insurance. 12 months of the rent can be applied toward a new or used purchase. Of course we have other band fees($40), pants, shirt, and specific shoes we still must find. Plus trip $$. And they did push the $10 a week private lessons, which we declined. If he sticks with it the second year, I will probably buy.

 

[Jeafl]

We rented-to-own my DD's clarinet. The total cost was over $800, and I think we paid $57 a month until it was paid off. The lessons themselves were free throught the school though. The worst part is that she is not musically inclined. She sounded like a wounded cow for 2 1/2 years before she mercifully gave it up. (Just in time to have it paid off--now we're stuck with an $800 clarinet!).

 

[jldriscoll]

Had a friend once win one off ebay for a reasonable amount.

 

[nancy679]

We rent-to-own also. DD clarinet is $75 every 3 months, and it already is used, but I cant remember how much it costs in the end. I remember playing the flute when I was her age, my parents rented for one year, then bought it for me ($200), then I quit 2 years after that. I still have the flute--too bad DD didnt want to take that one.

 

[Simba's Mom]

DS's first trumpet that he rented was $25 for 3 months, after which time you had to either "buy or get off the pot" (or something like that). We went to a pawn shop and bought one for $72, including case. Check also in the newspaper or with your band director. Older students are often selling their instruments as they "upgrade"-DS has now done that about 4 times, selling to younger students (except he'll keep that pawn shop one!) Breezy_Carol: DS plays trumpet so we've gone through investigating many brands. Best buy is probably the Bach Stradivarius. Or for "only" $20,000 you can get a Monet! Honestly, feel free to PM me for any brand suggestions-DS is a music performance major-they want a new trumpet every time you turn around!

 

[SPAGo 98]

i was thinking you could buy one, too. that'd probably save you lost of money.

 

[Grog]

Things have changed since I was in band. We didn't have to pay anything for instruments (unless we damaged them when we took them home to practice). All we had to pay for were things like mouthpieces, reed, drumsticks, etc.

 

[Grog]

Should probably mention that was about 25 years ago

 

[MerryPoppins]

Just got DD's flute today. $30 a month until it's paid for (repairs included in the rent-to-own plan).

 

[dancergirl]

I have been playing trumpet for 5 years now, my daddy is a band director so he knew what to do! I borrowed a trumpet from my cousin for a few years, then finially got one of my own. I have a Blessing. I cant remember the model though! Its silver, I like it alot!

The Bach Strad is VERY nice!! Shame it costs soo much! A friend of mine found one for really cheap, he got it for around $500 and had to get it overhauled. He payed less than $1000 in the end! He was really lucky to find it, wish I could find something like that!
Good Luck all you Band Parents Ask my mom, she knows how crazy it is! But it does allow you to meet some awesome people, espically in high school! I have some really great friends that I would never known if it werent for band!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I probably don't have to tell you this-they're going to be your best friends forever!

 

[Lynn CC]

We "rented to own" DS's Trumpet through the school. It was a new Bach trumpet and the cost was $800.
There was no finance charge and the total cost we paid each month went toward his trumpet purchase. It was a plan offered through the school. I wonder if they have something like that in your district?
He's in 10th grade now, and still plays with the concert band and marching band!

 

[Lars624]

We got lucky since DS wanted to play trumpet & DH still had his in good shape

 

[Buz]

When you are sure they want to continue and look to upgrade check out International Musical Suppliers

They have great new Bach Stradavarius trumpet for $1300 that the local shops wanted over $1600 for.

And I agree, I still remember the kids I was in band with and the great times we had at games, parades, trips. And the skills come in handy too. I played in a town band in Germany for a couple of years. It was a great way to get involved with the community.

Buz

 

[Gillian]

I don't know anything about flutes (I played french horn), but there are a ton on ebay. There are even new ones! Look under the "buy it now" tab.

Here's one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=901340217

 

[Disney Debbie]

Luckily I still had my clarinet and Becca wanted to play it. We spent over $100 getting new pads and corking on it - but the guy from Portman's said a new one like mine would be over $1,700.00 today!

Of course now she's the drum major and doesn't play it except to work with the clarinets during practice!!