Instrument Rentals
Tolbert Music is a proud affiliate of Music and Arts, one of the nation’s largest music stores. Renting with Music and Arts gives you access to the highest quality instruments, the best repair network on offer, and a Rent-to-Own program that allows you to invest in a nice instrument without committing the full price up front.
Visit any Music and Arts location to rent your instrument and make sure to let them know what school you come from and that you are a Tolbert Music student! I do recommend calling ahead to make sure they have what you are looking for in stock.
The store will encourage you to buy a care kit - please do so! They aren’t upselling you stuff that you don’t need. I do recommend purchasing the insurance offered as well. Accidents happen and these instruments are expensive! They may offer a music stand as well - that’s your call. It is a super handy tool if you don’t have a good surface to hold your music on at home. Our students are often renting at much younger ages than normal. A store worker may question renting for such a young student - remind them that you are at a Tolbert Music school and that this is a unique program and your pick has been approved by the director!
Please read below for the full list of materials needed from the store
Flute - Care kit only
Clarinet - Care kit and extra reeds. Start with a box of 10 at 2.5 hardness. We recommend the brand Rico for a good balance of quality and value.
Saxophone - Care kit and extra reeds. Start with a box of 10 at 2.5 hardness. We recommend the brand Rico for a good balance of quality and value. I highly recommend you upgrade the neck strap of the instrument. It isn’t 100% necessary, but the neck straps that come with the instrument are very uncomfortable in long rehearsals. Neotech is my recommended brand for a nicer neck strap.
Trumpet - Care kit only
French Horn - Care kit only
Trombone - Care kit only
Euphonium/Baritone - Care kit only
Percussion - Everything needed should come in the percussion kit, you shouldn’t need anything extra.
Violin - Please get sized correctly! These instruments come in different sizes and we need to make sure your student has the right one. As they grow, they will be able to exchange to the next size. Please also purchase a shoulder rest - it helps a lot with holding the instrument properly.
Viola - Please get sized correctly! These instruments come in different sizes and we need to make sure your student has the right one. As they grow, they will be able to exchange to the next size. Please also purchase a shoulder rest - it helps a lot with holding the instrument properly.
Cello - Please get sized correctly! These instruments come in different sizes and we need to make sure your student has the right one. As they grow, they will be able to exchange to the next size. Please also purchase a “Strap Stop” - it helps a lot with holding the instrument in place and is inexpensive. The “Rock Stops” wear out quickly - you want the strap version.
Bass - Please get sized correctly! These instruments come in different sizes and we need to make sure your student has the right one. As they grow, they will be able to exchange to the next size.