Instrument Library

At Bandology, we are committed to the lifelong value of music through collaboration, community and education. When youth have access to affordable music education, more kids can experience these benefits, developing diverse and adaptable skill sets.

Sometimes families experience economic barriers that prevent them from renting, borrowing or purchasing musical instruments for their young musicians. Instrument purchases or rentals can cost upwards of thousands of dollars. However, the ability to practice an instrument outside of school significantly increases a child’s ability to develop their skill and academic success.

The Instrument Library responds to this barrier by providing youth from low-income households with the opportunity to choose from one of our 20+ different instrument varieties. These instruments can be borrowed for one school semester or during the summer months, for a small $10 admin fee.

Click here to download the flyer.

Music education and immersion has personal, academic and essential development outcomes for youth. 

• Music makes kids smarter: 20% higher math scores, 22% higher English scores. 
• Music improves kids’ mental health: 67% experiencing a decrease in anxiety levels, 57% experiencing a decrease in depression levels.
• Music improves transferable skills: 26% of music students report increased teamwork skills, 55% report increased social skills.
• And the benefits don’t stop there! View our research infographics for more information.

How the Instrument Library Works

Borrowing an Instrument

• An instrument can be borrowed from the Instrument Library for a $10 admin fee. For 2024, loans are restricted to residents of Halton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and the surrounding area who are age 19 or younger and currently enrolled in school on a full-time basis.
• Look through the list of instruments we offer, and fill out the Instrument Library application form. In this form, you will be required to provide a reference to vouch for you, such as a music teacher or staff member at a community services organization. There is no means test.
• A member of Bandology will contact you to confirm the availability of your chosen instrument.
• If the instrument is in stock, you will receive an invoice for the admin fee and we will arrange to have the instrument delivered to you or for you to pick it up. 
• If your chosen instrument is already loaned out, you will be placed on a waitlist.
• If you are a teacher wishing to rent an instrument for your school, please contact info@bandology.ca for more information.
• Instruments will be delivered to the student’s home address. If alternate arrangements are required, please contact info@bandology.ca.

The Lending Process

• You may borrow one instrument at a time.
• The loan period is from the beginning of a school term to the last day before that term’s exams (September 2024 – January 23, 2025, or February 1, 2025 – June 19, 2025). Instruments can also be borrowed during the summer, which is perfect for students attending Band Camp!
• If you find that you no longer wish to play your borrowed instrument, you may exchange it for another instrument if available.
• If an instrument or its accessories are lost or damaged, please contact us immediately. You may be charged a replacement fee. 
• A reminder email will be sent at least one week before the instrument is due to be returned. A late fee of $5 per day up to a maximum of $25 will be charged.

Instrument Gallery

Woodwind Instruments

Piccolo

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet

Bass Clarinet

Bassoon

Alto Saxophone

Tenor Saxophone

Baritone Saxophone

Brass Instruments

Trumpet

French Horn

Trombone

Euphonium

Tuba

Crossed out instruments are currently out on loan.

Percussion Instruments

Vibraphone

Xylophone

Glockenspiel

Concert Snare Drum

Full Drum Kit

Crash Cymbal Set

Timpani (set of two)

Caring For Your Instrument

Clean and well-maintained instruments sound and play so much better than dirty and worn-out ones. Please take good care of your borrowed instrument using the care guide found inside the instrument case. 

Donations

Have a used instrument collecting dust in the basement? Donate it to Bandology and empower a student in need with the gift of music!