Dear Parents,

 Your child has shown an interest in learning to play a musical instrument at West Side Middle School. To be part of the instrumental music program, students need to have a musical instrument. You can get an instrument for your child one of many ways:

1. RENT - This is the BEST way to get an instrument. A NEW or almost new instrument is very inexpensive if you rent it. The typical rates are:

FLUTE, CLARINET, TRUMPET, TROMBONE

Only about $40 for 4 months. One-time rental payment of $40 gives your child an instrument until December. If you decide to continue renting, the cost is about $20 per month after that.

ALTO SAXOPHONE

About $80 for 4 months. One-time rental payment of $80 gives your child the instrument until December. If you decide to continue renting, the cost is about $40 per month after that.

DRUM

Due to the overwhelming number of students who wish to try drums, prospective drum students will first be tested to see if they possess the ability to keep steady time, and follow a simple written pattern.

Practice Drum equipment is to be PURCHASED, not rented. The only things needed are:

DRUMSTICKS $7   and   PRACTICE PAD $20

PLEASE DO NOT rent a drum for school use.

These items can be purchased from the school music department. Make checks payable to: WSMS Music Department.

Best Local Places to Rent Instruments:

Westbury Music, Main Street, Watertown (860) 274-1556 
(click on the link to visit the site)

Family Music Center, East Main Street, Waterbury 756-0843
(click on the link to visit the site)

2. BORROW - Many people have played instruments and probably still have them in their closets at home. Ask family members if they have an instrument you can use!

3. BUY - (not recommended for beginning players) - Used musical instruments can be purchased for much less than a new one, but be careful, make sure that the instrument can be played by someone who knows how! Don’t buy an instrument just because it is cheap...it may not be a good one! Mr. Wilkas will be glad to check it out for you, or have someone who knows how to play check it out.

4. SCHOOL INSTRUMENT - These are free of charge, but a security deposit of $50 is required (at $10 per month for 5 months). There are NOT many school instruments, and many of them are not in great shape. However, if your child would like to try an instrument, and using a school issued instrument is the only way to do it, students can get a school instrument form from Mr. Wilkas to be filled out by parents. (The forms are also downloadable below). If the instrument is available, the student can use it during their entire sixth grade school year. 

>DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE SCHOOL INSTRUMENT FORMS HERE<
1. PARENT LETTER     -      2. SCHOOL INSTRUMENT LOAN FORM

You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to print out these documents
           Download it FREE>>  CLICK HERE>>>>

Note: Students are only allowed to use school instruments during their sixth grade year. If a student wishes to continue in the seventh and eighth grade, they must have their own instrument. See above for instrument rental information.

PARENTS: Please be advised that you will be responsible for repair and replacement costs should a loaned school instrument be damaged or lost during the issuance time.

If you have any questions, please email Mr. Wilkas at West Side Middle School at wsmsmusic@aol.com. Let’s all have a musical year!!

Mr. J. Wilkas - Director of Instrumental Music