Band and Orchestra
Piccolo's Rent-to-Own Program
NOTE: our rent-to-own program is for the Helena, MT area only!
Frankly, we're biased. We're all musicians here at Piccolo's, and we can't imagine life without music. But don't take our word for it. Kids involved in music do better in school, score higher on their SATs, and are less likely to do drugs.* But kids are unpredictable creatures— What if she drops band after the first week? Won't I end up with a $1400 saxophone in the closet? What if he decides to play cello instead? Don't worry— We designed our rent-to-own program for you.
Flexibility
Our instrument rentals start at just $15/month. If you go till the end of your contract, you'll own your instrument. If you pay it off early we'll give you a discount off your balance. But there's no obligation— you can return it at anytime, hassle-free. (We do offer a stick-with-it pep-talk and/or lecture for your child, free of charge, by request.) You can also upgrade or change to a different instrument without losing any equity. You'll especially appreciate this in orchestra, where kids outgrow instruments like shoes. Even our billing is flexible— pay automatically by credit card, or else mail or drop off your payment in when you get your statement. (If you live somewhere else in Montana, we prefer you take advantage of our auto-pay option.The rent-to-own program is not available out of state, but we'd still love to give you a great deal on an instrument. Call for details. Online inventory coming soon!)
Quality Instruments
Playing music is a joy— but not if your instrument sticks, squawks, or plays permanently out of tune. Unfortunately there are a lot of instruments out there that make learning to play downright unpleasant, if not impossible. At Piccolo's, we work closely with the Helena-area band and orchestra directors to ensure our instruments play great and sound great. Our on-site repairmen make sure they stay that way.
Come one, Come all, and Come Early
September band rush. School instrument deadline is tomorrow. Children scream. Parents panic. It's kind of fun, actually. No, no one will be wrestling in the aisles for the last Keilwerth sax. But on the other hand, we do have the very best selection in the spring and summer. We can give your child a tour of all the instruments, let him or her bow and blow a few notes on each, and discuss advantages and disadvantages. (Tenor sax? Great for jazz band, but hard to carry on your bike. But a clarinet fits into your backpack.) Don't worry if that deadline creeps up on you. We'll still help you choose an instrument and get set up, anytime.
In-Store Repair
No need to send your instrument away for repair— our on-site repairmen fix everything here in the store, sometimes while you wait. Ron Sager and Tom Mazanec handle the band instruments— you locals may know the later as Mr. Mazanec, recently retired choral instructor at CR Anderson— while our own John Piccolo fixes orchestra instruments. We also call on the expertise of Jeremiah Senner, luthiere extrordinaire, for more involved orchestra repairs. (You can often see his handmade violins on display downstairs.) We'll also tune your orchestra instrument anytime, free of charge.
Buyers Protection Plan
Kids will be kids. Accidents happen. Hardly the words you utter immediately after your daughter drops her sax down the stairs. (Note: please don't do this.) Our optional Buyer's Protection Plan covers theft & fire loss, parts & repair for accidental damage, and general maintenance, including a free tune-up every year. You are responsible for keeping your instrument clean and for expendable accessories such as strings and reeds. And try not to drop that sax!!
Trade-In & Buy Back
Once you own your instrument, you may also trade it in for credit toward another band or orchestra instrument. Piccolo's also purchases instruments of all kinds on a case by case basis.
*Respectively:
- NELS:88 First Follow-up, 1990, National Center for Education Statistics, Washington D.C.
- College-Bound Seniors National Report: Profile of SAT Program Test Takers. Princeton, NJ: The College Entrance Examination Board, 2001
- Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report. Reported in Houston Chronicle, January 1998
Picture Credits
