1. How do I get an instrument?

Caregivers have three options for getting an instrument for your student: buy, rent, or borrow.

Option 1: Purchase an instrument from a music store. We recommend buying an instrument in-person from a reputable music store whose staff can provide expert advice, service, and a quality instrument. Below are four music stores in the Framingham area that can help you purchase the perfect instrument for your student:

1. Center Music House (18 Main Street, Framingham) 
2. David French Music (53B Otis Street, Westborough)
3. Music & Arts (1300 Union St Suite 102, Westborough)
4. Music Go Round (810 Worcester Street, Natick)

Option 2: Rent an instrument. We work with Centre Music House to provide families with an array of options for renting band and orchestra instruments. Contact Centre Music House directly at (508) 875-0909 or browse their rental website here.

Option 3: Borrow an instrument from school. We maintain an inventory of musical instruments to serve the students of Framingham Public Schools. When selecting a musical instrument, please let your child’s music teacher know if you would like to borrow an instrument for the school year. 

2. What instrument brands do you recommend?

There are lots of great instruments out there and plenty of terrible ones too. Poorly made instruments are harder to play, sound bad, break quickly and, as a result, are more likely to make students quit music classes than well made instruments. A good tip is to stay away from instruments that are brightly colored in shades of pink, blue, green, etc. Also, avoid these brands: First Act, Glory, Borg, and Mendini.

Some instrument brand names to trust are:

3. When do instrumental classes take place?
Instrumental classes are during the school day, once per week.

4. When should I rent the instrument?
We suggest starting your rental over the summer so that your student will be prepared for the start of the school year. Music stores are very busy at the start of the school year so getting an instrument in advance is always advised.

5. When will my child need to bring their instrument to school?
Music classes typically begin the third week of school. If you have the instrument, your child can start bringing it on their music day the third week of school. Your student’s music teacher will confirm the start date.

6. Why do I have to include a first and second instrument choice?
Instrumental classes are organized by instrument. (i.e. all trumpets are in a class together). Class sizes cannot exceed 27 students so we may need to have some students choose their second instrument option. Please make sure students list their top two favorite instruments choices. 

7. Can my child stop taking instrumental classes during the school year?
We advise students to take instrumental music classes for the entire school year. If they do not wish to continue playing the following school year then they can choose a different arts course in middle school.

8. Do I need to purchase a book for my child?
No. A free instrumental method book is provided by Framingham Public Schools. This book will be given to your child during their music class.

9. What other accessories are needed for instrumental classes?
Music teachers will provide students with the accessories that they need to play their instruments. If you would like to purchase items on your own:

Clarinet and alto saxophone students use cork grease and reeds that you can purchase at a music store. Please look for size 2.5 reeds by the brands Rico or Vandoren. Trumpet students use valve oil and trombone students use slide oil.

10. What are the expectations for being in an instrumental music class?
- Students are required to practice at home at least 3 times a week. The more a student practices, the better they will be on their instrument.
- There will be concerts during the school year that your child will participate in. This is a great moment for all the students to come together and demonstrate their instrumental progress.

11. Why are string instruments only offered at Barbieri, McCarthy, Harmony Grove and Stapleton Elementary Schools?
The orchestra program is relatively new to Framingham Public Schools. All elementary schools will have orchestra programs in the near future.

Instrument Borrow Form, English

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Instrument Borrow Form, Spanish