Pupils who have lessons with Stockport Music Service are eligible for our instrument hire scheme. Buying a musical instrument can be a very expensive purchase. If your child has only just started to learn how to play, hiring an instrument may be the best option to start with.

Unlike some commercial hire schemes, this is not a rent-to-buy scheme and the instrument remains the property of Stockport Music Service at all times. If at any point you decide you would like to buy an instrument for your child, we can then use the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS) to get the best prices and value for your purchase.

Hiring gives your child time to decide if they are committed to the instrument they have chosen. Some pupils move around a variety of instruments before they find the one they really connect with. If you hire an instrument, you can swap from trumpet to trombone or flute to clarinet and this can be done at no additional cost. The hire charge is the same, regardless of the purchase cost of the instrument.

The music service has a large stock of instruments that are hired or loaned to schools and parents so that the children and young people of Stockport are not prevented from having lessons due to the purchase cost of an instrument.

All our instruments have been tested to provide value for money and a good start to pupils' musical journeys. In these times, when it is possible to buy very cheap instruments online, we are confident that in virtually all situations, our hire scheme is a better option for parents than buying something unseen online.

By hiring an instrument, you can ensure that your child is learning on an instrument which is of a suitable specification and size for them. Orchestral stringed instruments, for example, are available in a range of sizes for smaller players. As a child develops, they will need a larger instrument if you are hiring the original instrument can be swapped to the increased size for no extra cost.

If your hired instrument requires maintenance or repair we will provide a replacement instrument, this ensures your child does not miss any tuition. Please contact the music service and arrange to return the instrument to the music service.

The instrument hire scheme is available to all our pupils with a few exceptions. For instance, if the instrument you wish to hire would be cheaper to purchase outright through the AIPS, we can organise this for you rather than charge a hire fee. We do not hire out drum kits, keyboards or guitars. You have the option to purchase a guitar outright via the AIPS.

If you would like more information, call the office on 0161 483 7636.