Hiring a musical instrument
To hire an instrument, a child must be receiving music tuition through the East Sussex Music Service.
To apply to hire an instrument, please contact the East Sussex Music Service.
Stocks are limited so we issue instruments on a first come first served basis. We will contact you to let you know if an instrument is available and send you all the information you need, including a hire agreement form.
Hire fees
The standard fee for group lessons is £82, payable three times a year in September, January and April. A registration fee of £5 is charged for all new students, and this fee is non-refundable. For more information, visit our page on music tuition.
Hire fees are invoiced three times a year, in September, January and April.
Standard fees
Violin or viola - £18
Cornet, trumpet or trombone - £22
Cello, flute, oboe, clarinet or saxaphone - £28
Bassoon, double bass, french horn, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium or tuba - £10
Families with a total gross family income of £20,000 or less
Violin or viola - £9
Cornet, trumpet or trombone - £11
Cello, flute, oboe, clarinet or saxaphone - £14
Bassoon, double bass, french horn, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium or tuba - £5
Families in receipt of Income Support or income-based Job Seekers Allowance
Violin or viola - £2.70
Cornet, trumpet or trombone - £3.30
Cello, flute, oboe, clarinet or saxaphone - £4.20
Bassoon, double bass, french horn, tenor horn, baritone, euphonium or tuba - £1.50
Looking after the instrument
As with any hire scheme, you are responsible for loss or damage. You’ll need to do the following:
- make sure your instrument is covered against loss or damage – please see our page on insuring your child's instrument
- contact the ESMS if the instrument is lost or damaged
- replace instrument parts that are damaged through normal wear and tear
- contact the ESMS if the instrument is being repaired. They will then give you a list of approved repairers you must use.
Delivery
Your child will be given the instrument by their music teacher at the lesson. The time between ordering the instrument and receiving it can vary greatly depending on the instrument and whether one is available at the time.
Cancelling the hire agreement
You should return the instrument to your child’s instrumental teacher before the end of the current hire period. Hire periods run from September to December, January to March and April to July. You will also need to pay any money that is still owed for hire or repairs.
