Q. Why does the school need additional instruments?
Through our Annual Appeal Instrument Drive, POMS is helping the Belmont schools purchase much-needed new instruments to address these challenges:
Q. Don't students provide their own instruments?
Yes, most students buy or rent the instruments that they play for band and orchestra. However, the Belmont public schools do need to provide in-school access to some instruments:
Q. Why can't the 7th and 8th graders just use the instruments that are already at the high school?
Instruments come in many sizes to address the different sizes of young musicians. For instance, a new string bass player may start with a 1/4 size bass, move up to a 1/2 size bass in 7th grade, and then finally switch to a 3/4 size bass in 9th grade. With the new grade configuration, Belmont has smaller-size students in two locations and needs smaller-size instruments at both Chenery and BMS.
Q. Why does Belmont need to replace some instruments? Can't the existing ones just be repaired?
Many of Belmont's in-school instruments are 20-30 years old and have been used by generations of Belmont musicians. While the school system does its best to keep these instruments in working condition, many can't be satisfactorily repaired at this point and/or repairs are simply not a good investment due to the overall condition.
Q. I have an instrument at home that's not being used. Can I donate that to help the Instrument Drive?
The POMS 2023 Instrument Drive addresses very specific instrument needs the schools have at this time, which is reflected in the list of instruments on our Annual Appeal page. However, the schools always appreciate instrument donations outside of the Annual Appeal. Reach out to POMS or your music teacher.
Through our Annual Appeal Instrument Drive, POMS is helping the Belmont schools purchase much-needed new instruments to address these challenges:
- With the opening of Belmont Middle School, Belmont now has three band rooms. Percussion instruments are needed to enable band class in all locations.
- In-school instruments sized for smaller students are now needed in two locations - Chenery Upper Elementary School and Belmont Middle School.
- Many existing in-school instruments are 20-30 years old and are beyond the point of repair.
- The school budget does not cover instrument purchases.
Q. Don't students provide their own instruments?
Yes, most students buy or rent the instruments that they play for band and orchestra. However, the Belmont public schools do need to provide in-school access to some instruments:
- Instruments like cello, string bass and tuba are too big for students to carry back and forth to school each day. Students keep their own instrument at home and then play the school's instrument in class.
- As percussion instruments cannot be easily transported, school systems typically purchase all percussion instruments, such as bass drums, timpani (kettledrums), snare drums, xylophone, etc.
- To help fill a hole in an ensemble, a music teacher may ask a student to switch to a related, less common instrument. For example, a student who starts with alto saxophone might be asked to switch to baritone saxophone for a song or for even longer. The school provides such instruments because a family may have already purchased the primary instrument and because these instruments may be more expensive than more typical band instruments.
Q. Why can't the 7th and 8th graders just use the instruments that are already at the high school?
Instruments come in many sizes to address the different sizes of young musicians. For instance, a new string bass player may start with a 1/4 size bass, move up to a 1/2 size bass in 7th grade, and then finally switch to a 3/4 size bass in 9th grade. With the new grade configuration, Belmont has smaller-size students in two locations and needs smaller-size instruments at both Chenery and BMS.
Q. Why does Belmont need to replace some instruments? Can't the existing ones just be repaired?
Many of Belmont's in-school instruments are 20-30 years old and have been used by generations of Belmont musicians. While the school system does its best to keep these instruments in working condition, many can't be satisfactorily repaired at this point and/or repairs are simply not a good investment due to the overall condition.
Q. I have an instrument at home that's not being used. Can I donate that to help the Instrument Drive?
The POMS 2023 Instrument Drive addresses very specific instrument needs the schools have at this time, which is reflected in the list of instruments on our Annual Appeal page. However, the schools always appreciate instrument donations outside of the Annual Appeal. Reach out to POMS or your music teacher.