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Giving your child the best chance for success

Just as the school band or orchestra director provides the leadership, inspiration and instruction that allow your child to enter the world of music making, your local school music dealer provides the quality instruments, accessories and repair facilities that allow young musicians to embark on their training with confidence, backed by the know-how and support of music-education professionals.

Unless you studied music in school, now that you’re a band or orchestra parent, you might be feeling in the dark when it comes to choosing an instrument for your child. Chances are, the various brands are unknown to you.

The director has already determined which type of instrument best suits your child’s inherent skills and the band’s particular needs. Whether you plan to rent or buy the instrument for your child, it’s crucial that you consider the issue of quality as well as price; otherwise your child risks getting off on the wrong foot with faulty equipment, which can only add frustration to the challenges of learning.

The band or orchestra director will readily recommend the instrument brands that are generally considered to represent the proper quality and design for beginning musicians. And your local music retailer can provide these instruments. Whether you rent or buy from your local dealer, the store stands ready to service your child’s future needs, including professional adjustment and repair of the instrument, whenever necessary.

Today parents are faced with more choices than ever when choosing student instruments—which are now readily available on the Internet and from “big box” mass merchandisers as well as from traditional music retailers. With the dizzying array of brands currently on the market, all claiming to be the best, which to choose?

While price is surely an important consideration, the cheapest is by no means the best choice when it comes to something as important as your child’s musical education. The low-quality products currently sold under various off-brand names might seem like a great deal at first, but there are many reasons why quality instruments—bearing any of the respected names represented in the Conn-Selmer family of brands—are truly the outstanding long-term value. And because various rent-to-own programs are available through most local retailers, quality instruments are within reach of any family budget.

The importance of your child’s first steps in learning a musical instrument cannot be overstated; that’s why we at Conn-Selmer regard our high-quality student lines as perhaps the most important we manufacture. If you make the mistake of starting children on inferior instruments “just in case” they lose interest and quit, you nearly guarantee that they will.

When you choose a student instrument bearing any of the Conn-Selmer brand names, you are not only making a wise investment. You are encouraging your child to succeed and grow—and to enjoy the lifelong benefits offered by the gift of music.

Only your local music retailer will be there, year after year, to assist your child with the instruments, accessories and repair services that can help transform your eager beginner into an accomplished student musician. Not only is the store nearby, but the staff already knows the needs of your school’s band or orchestra program, inside and out.

1. Knowing and working with the band or orchestra director
2. Buying or renting an instrument
3. Helping your child learn
4. Some common misconceptions
5. Glossary of Terms in Instrumental Music
6. Do's and Don'ts of Instrument Care
7. Choosing a Music Store
8. Consider Private Lessons
9. What Else Can I Do?
10. The Best Instrument Choices for Your Child

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