Where should I rent an instrument?

For flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion, violin, viola, cello, instruments are rented through an outside music vendor.  Most of our WSSD families use Music and Arts (located in the Lawrence Park Shopping Center in Broomall).  Please let them know that your child attends the WSSD schools as they know what make/model instruments we prefer for our student rental program.  Taylors Music Store & Studios in West Chester is also a great place to rent quality instruments (https://www.taylorsmusic.com).

For beginning percussion, you have a choice in what you want to rent: (1) a snare drum kit or (2) a drum pad.  For drum sticks - we prefer either the Vic Firth 5A or 7A wood tip or a comparable size from a different brand.

For the string instrument rental for violin, viola, and cello, Music and Arts will measure your child to give them the correct instrument size.

For the larger instruments such as French Horn, Tenor Saxophone, Euphonium, Tuba, Xylophone, String Bass, these are available to rent through the school district at a nominal fee.  

Additional accessories that you may want to consider are an instrument cleaning kit as well as a folding music stand for their lesson book or other sheet music.  It will help to promote good playing posture whether they are sitting or standing while they play.

What if I can’t afford an instrument?

The WSMA Heart Strings program collects instruments for families for whom renting or buying an instrument is a financial burden.  Please contact Music Department Chair John Shankweiler (jshankweiler@wssd.org) to be connected to an instrument.  We want every student to be able to play!

When is the 2025 Summer Music Program?

Monday to Thursday from June 16 to July 10, 2025. (Plus Friday June 20 because the District is closed 6/19)

When can I sign up for the 2025 Summer Music Program?

Starting TBD, 2025.

How do I sign up for the 2025 Summer Music Program?

All the information and the registration for the 2025 Summer Music Program is on the WSSD website TBD

Who can participate in the 2025 Summer Music Program?

• Students entering 3rd grade through 12th grade this fall who are interested in beginning or continuing to play an orchestra instrument (violin, viola, cello, string bass)

• Students entering 4th grade through 12th grade this fall who are interested in beginning or continuing to play a band instrument (flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion)

• Students entering 4th grade through 6th grade this fall who are interested in singing in the chorus

• Adult members of our WSSD community who are interested in playing in a concert band

• Students interested in playing guitar, bass, drum set or keyboards in the intermediate jazz band

Where can I rent an instrument for the 2025 Summer Music Program?

For flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, percussion, violin, viola, cello, instruments are rented through an outside music vendor.  Most of our WSSD families use Music and Arts (located in the Lawrence Park Shopping Center in Broomall).  Please let them know that your child attends the WSSD schools as they know what make/model instruments we prefer for our student rental program.  

For beginning percussion, you have a choice in what you want to rent: (1) a snare drum kit or (2) a drum pad.  For drum sticks - we prefer either the Vic Firth 5A or 7A wood tip or a comparable size from a different brand.

For the string instrument rental for violin, viola, and cello, Music and Arts will measure your child to give them the correct instrument size.

For the larger instruments such as French Horn, Tenor Saxophone, Euphonium, Tuba, Xylophone, String Bass, these are available to rent through the school district at a nominal fee.  

Additional accessories that you may want to consider are an instrument cleaning kit as well as a folding music stand for their lesson book or other sheet music.  It will help to promote good playing posture whether they are sitting or standing while they play.

What if I can’t afford an instrument?

The WSMA Heart Strings program collects instruments for families for whom renting or buying an instrument is a financial burden.  Please contact Music Department Chair Steve Fischer (sfischer@wssd.org) to be connected to an instrument.  We want every student to be able to play!

Where is the 2025 Summer Music Program held?

TBD {Last year: At Strath Haven Middle School. Students should be dropped off at the Copples Lane entrance to the building.}

How much does it cost to participate in the 2025 Summer Music Program?

• TBD

• Scholarships/financial assistance available. Email: president@wssdmusic.org

When is the 2025 Summer Music Concert?

The 2023 Summer Music Concert will be on Thursday, July 10th at TBD.

What time are the lessons for the 2025 Summer Music Program?

TBD {Last year: First, a quick note: Enrichment is the bucket drums, ukulele and steel drums.  Same stuff, new name!

Strings:

Beginning Strings: TR 8:00-10:20 (Lesson, then Ensemble, then Enrichment)

Intermediate Strings: TR 8:50-11:10 (Enrichment, then Lesson, then Ensemble)

Advanced Strings: TR 10:30-12:50 (Enrichment, then Lesson, then Ensemble)

Beginning Band:

Beginning Woodwinds: MW 8:00-10:20 (Lesson, then Enrichment, then Ensemble)

Beginning Brass: MW 8:50-11:10 (Lesson, then Ensemble, then Enrichment)

Beginning Percussion: MW 9:40-12:00 (Ensemble, then Enrichment, then Lesson)

Intermediate Band:

Intermediate Woodwinds: MW 8:50-11:10 (Enrichment, then Ensemble, then Lesson)

Intermediate Brass: MW 8:50 – 11:10 [or 8:50-12:00] (Lesson, then Ensemble, then Enrichment, plus optional Jazz Band)

Intermediate Percussion: MW 9:40-11:10 and 12:10-12:50 [or 9:40-12:50] (Ensemble, then Enrichment, then optional Jazz Band, then Lesson)

High School/Adult Band:

HS Woodwinds: MW 6:30-8:00PM Ensemble and TR 9:40-10:20 Lesson

HS Brass: MW 6:30-8:00PM Ensemble and TR 10:30-11:10 Lesson

HS Percussion: MW 6:30-8:00PM Ensemble and TR 12:10-12:50 Lesson

Adult Band only: MW 6:30-8:00PM Ensemble

HS Music Theory: TR 11:20-12:00 Group

Chorus:

Children's Chorus: MW 10:30-11:10}