Program Basics
Instrumental Music Fee
- D63's Music Program is offered at no cost to families - including instrument rental and maintenance.
Quinlan and Fabish Instrument Rental Company
- It is HIGHLY recommended that you rent an instrument through Quinlan & Fabish. It provides high-quality instruments at a reasonable cost with delivery to schools provided. Insurance is included as well in the event the instrument needs repair or replacement.
- To rent, go to www.qandf.com or call 800.637.6872. Click on the link at the top of the Quinlan & Fabish page for additional information on renting either a band or orchestra instrument.
- For Orchestra, RENT: Violin, Viola, Cello, or Bass / BUY: Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, Book 1 and folding music stand.
- For Band, RENT: Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone, French Horn, or Percussion Kit / BUY: Standard of Excellence, Book 1 and folding music stand.
Large Group Rehearsals at Family Resource Center/Elementary Schools
- Students will meet weekly before school to rehearse with band/orchestra students from all schools. These rehearsals typically take place at Gemini, however, some groups may take place at students' home schools.
- Your director will contact you with more details.
Group Lessons at Elementary Schools
Once a week, each student will attend a lesson in a small group setting during the school day. Lessons will be virtual on a rotating schedule, so students will not be pulled out of the same class every week.
A note about purchasing instruments:
Please contact your instrumental music teacher before purchasing an instrument for your child. Retailers like Amazon and Walmart are now selling instruments at very low prices—BUT they are generally manufactured poorly, are guaranteed to break quickly, and IF you can even find a repair shop that will work on them (most will not because the inferior parts do not take to being reshaped if bent, can't get the parts from Chinese manufacturers, etc.) you'll end up spending more on the repairs than had you just paid for the original rental instrument. Beyond that, your child will become frustrated because their instrument never works, will stop practicing, stop progressing, etc. Unfortunately, we see this happen often.
If you decide to purchase from somewhere other than Quinlan and Fabish, your next best bet is to buy quality instruments from major established brands; new or used. Finding the right fit can be tricky and somewhat confusing, but we are here to help! If you have any additional questions when shopping,
ASK US and we will be happy to assist!
Reputable Retailers: Quinlan and Fabish, Michael Becker (Park Ridge), William Harris Lee, Seman Violins
BAND
- Brands to avoid: Glory, Mendini, Lazarro, Hisonic, Mugig
- Reputable Brands: Yamaha, Selmer, Bach, Gemeinhardt, Buffet, Conn, Jupiter, Blessing, Buescher
ORCHESTRA
- Brands to avoid: Mendini, Cecilio, Artall, Bunnel, any non-wood colored instrument.
- Reputable Brands: Eastman, Hoffman, Yamaha
(These lists are not comprehensive; please ask if you are unsure of a brand)