Renting Instruments

School bands probably wouldn’t exist today if students had to buy instruments to try band. For that reason instrument rental programs were created, and Amro Music was among the first in the country to offer one.

Amro’s rental program allows beginners to try band with a good quality instrument at a nominal cost. If the beginner does well and wants to continue, the rent paid counts toward the purchase of an instrument.

Most schools have an organized instrument rental program once each year.  The process usually works like this: After the beginner recruiting is done and a week or so before the scheduled rental meeting, the director sends a letter to the parents of students who want to be in the band. The letter announces the rental meeting and includes a reply form.

The director collects the return forms and several days before the scheduled meeting calls his Amro representative with an approximate number of each instrument to bring to the rental meeting.

At the meeting the director often speaks for a few minutes about what students and parents should expect in band, what the students will learn, how they should practice, the various activities the band will participate in, etc. He then introduces his Amro rep and explains why he has selected Amro.

The Amro rep explains the rental plan, answers questions, explains how to fill out the rental agreement, and arranges for students to get an instrument, book, and basic accessories. The meeting normally takes less than an hour. The rep will be available immediately following the meeting to help parents who want to talk about an old instrument, a trade-in, a repair, accessories, etc.

At the conclusion of the meeting all of the beginners should have everything they need to play and class can begin the next day.