LISD provides a limited number of district owned instruments for students enrolled in band or orchestra ensemble courses. Available BAND instruments: WOODWIND instruments including oboes, bassoons, bass clarinets, and low saxophones, BRASS instruments including horns, euphoniums, and tubas, and classroom PERCUSSION instruments including but not limited to keyboards and timpani. Available ORCHESTRA instruments: STRING instruments including classroom cellos and string basses. In addition, there may be specialty instruments along with a limited number of instruments available that are traditionally owned by individuals.

The current usage and maintenance fees are $100 annually for Band and Orchestra. Modified fees are available to families who qualify for free or reduced meal programs. District maintenance fees are utilized to help offset expenses for normal upkeep, maintenance, and repair. Some examples include (by instrument family): Woodwind maintenance may include pad/cork replacement, key adjustments, and spring replacement. Brass upkeep may include cleaning/flushing, soldering braces or water keys, water key cork replacement, and normal valve/slide maintenance. Percussion maintenance may include the purchase of new heads, specialty mallets, bar tuning/stringing and the purchase of classroom or accessory instruments. String repairs include re-stringing, bow maintenance, body re-gluing, and bridge adjustments. In nearly all cases, these normal repairs cost more than the annual fee assessment to participating families. The district expectation is that these instruments are to be returned in the condition that they were issued or first utilized. Drops, breaks, dings, dents, creases, cracks, bent, broken or stuck keys and slides, etc. must be repaired at the student’s expense prior to end of year check-in. Program directors are responsible for instruction on preventative maintenance each year. Many of the issues listed above can be avoided with care and regular maintenance efforts by the student to whom the instrument is issued.

Frequently asked questions:
Are there additional fees for students utilizing more than one district instrument? No. The annual fee of $100 per student is a maximum contribution regardless of the number of instruments loaned to or made available to the student for classroom use.

Will there be additional expenses related to this instrument? This answer is dependent upon the type of instrument and normal maintenance items expected for each instrument. Participating families typically provide expendable or personal use items such as reeds, mouthpieces, valve oil, bow rosin, and some sticks and mallets.

Does LISD provide instrument insurance options? No. While instrument insurance may be a preferred option for some families whose students retain sole use of district instruments, LISD does not recommend specific providers. Please consult the music program director or a homeowners insurance provider for options. Shared classroom instruments (some larger wind, string and percussion instruments) are insured at the district level. Students are only responsible for the care of these instruments whenever utilizing them.

I have been issued an instrument or instruments belonging to LISD.

I hereby agree to provide the very best care of the instrument while in my possession. I understand that I/my parents will assume the financial responsibility of repairing or replacing the instrument(s) should it become damaged, lost, or stolen while in my care. It is recommended that the borrowing student/parent photograph or otherwise document existing scratches, dents, or other markings on the instrument and case upon assignment. Directors review and record instrument condition annually prior to assignment for student use.

I acknowledge my responsibility in the care of the LISD owned instrument(s) issued for my child’s use. I will assume the financial responsibility of repairing or replacing the instrument(s) by an LISD authorized vendor should it become damaged, lost, or stolen while in my child’s care.