Your Child’s Instrument: The Next Step
Wouldn’t it be nice if, in life, we only ever needed onc house, one car, one computer, one cell phone, and one job? Changing these things can be a major hassle, but we all know they are necessary from time to time. The same is true of your child’s instrument. At some point, your child will need to move to another instrument for one or more of the following reasons:
1. New Size—If your child plays a violin, viola, or cello that is smaller than “full size”, or a bass that is less than ¾ size, chances are he or she will outgrow it at some point soon. Obviously, this is different for everyone, but it is important to be playing on the correct size of instrument for the best sound.
2. Better Quality—The first instrument your child plays as a beginner meets his or her needs as a brand new string player. However, as your child improves his or her skills on the instrument, the need will arise for a higher quality instrument. This means a hand-made instrument made of fine woods and varnishes that is furnished with better strings and a nicer, wood bow. This is especially important for 8th graders who are planning to continue playing in high school to consider. There are MANY options available for finer instruments, and they are not all expensive!
3. Desire to Change Music Companies—We survived the reorganization of Brook Mays this year, and many of you continue to rent from them. As a school district, we now deal with Music and Arts, and many others of you rent instruments from this company as well. Music and Arts sends a representative to us weekly that can take instruments to the shop for repair and service as needed; no other company currently offers this service to our school. If you wish to change to another company, this is the time of year to consider it, as many rental contracts will expire in the fall.
4. Desire to Purchase—Often, when students show a commitment to orchestra over time, parents will want to invest in an instrument and not bother with rental fees anymore.
On the reverse side, you will find some information about area music companies that should be helpful to you. Please do not hesitate to call or email Mr. Smith with any questions.
Orchestra Office (972)968-3789
Area Music Companies
Music and Arts Centers
This is the company that our district deals with directly. A representative visits our school weekly and takes in instruments that need repair or service. Music and Arts also offers an insurance program that replaces broken strings on their rental instruments at no extra charge. Also offers online rentals.
This company is best for first-time renters/buyers and for step-up instruments.
Location:
Vista Ridge Plaza (Shopping center across MacArthur from Babies R Us)
500. E Fm Rd 3040 (Round Grove), Suite 121
Lewisville, TX 75067
(972) 795-8961
Wayne Burak and Associates/Strings to Go
This locally owned and operated company offers GREAT-sounding instruments for purchase at a VERY low price. These instruments get a lot of bang for the buck, and Mr. Keller encourages his kids at the high school to get them, too. There is a small shop located in Plano, and the main shop is near Six Flags in Arlington. Violins, violas, and cellos are available from Wayne Burak.
Location:
1939 Stadium Oaks Court, Suite 105, Arlington, Texas 76011
Arlington
office: 817- 801-6700
Plano Office : 972-259-0422
Holze Music Company
A Texas-based company, Holze is new to our area and offers very competitive prices on rental and step-up instruments. Holze is new to the DFW area. Do not be put off by the name of the store: Holze Band Stand!
Location:
Lewisville
1305 S Hwy 121, Bldg A, Suite 105
(972) 353-8251
Mon-Fri 10 - 6; Sat 10 – 5
TRUSTED Websites for Instrument Rentals/Purchase
William Harris Lee in Chicago—Finer instruments for purchase, including some student models; www.whlee.com
Shar Music in Ann Arbor—New online rental process, good deals on supplies as well www.sharmusic.com
Lisle Violin Shop in Houston—Great online rentals available (Mr. Smith’s first viola came from Lisle!) www.lisleviolinshop.com