Loan an instrument for your Music Service activity

Instrument loan is free of charge for up to three terms for academic year 2020-2021, except for the cost of consumable items and in the event of loss or damage.

We will notify you of any outstanding charges incurred throughout your loan period.

From September 2021 all instruments will need to be hired from the Music Service. Please refer to our instrument hire page for further details.

Our loan system operates on an academic yearly basis and we will contact you toward the end of the loan period to outline further options.

Factors that influence whether your child is entitled to a free instrument loan include instrument availability and tuition provided by Suffolk County Music Service.

The loan period starts from the date you receive your instrument. You are responsible for the instrument from this date.

If your child moves to another school and is able to receive lessons provided by Suffolk County Music Service at that school, or they continue with either lessons or Suffolk Youth Music activities with us directly, they can keep the instrument.

If not, the instrument might need to be returned to Suffolk County Music Service. Please contact us to discuss your options.

In the event of loss or damage not attributable to 'fair wear and tear', Suffolk County Music Service will ask you to bear all or part of the cost of replacement incurred by Suffolk County Music Service.

You must not authorise any repairs or maintenance yourself, nor should you attempt to carry out any repairs yourself. We nevertheless hope that you will support your child with routine care in accordance with our instrument care guidance. 

In the event of any problems with the instrument, in the first instance please contact your child's County Music Service tutor.

Insurance

The Music Service does not provide insurance cover for your instrument. We strongly recommend that you insure it for the replacement value shown on your Instrument confirmation email. You may add it to your normal household insurance policy or may choose to insure it separately.

We will contact you before the end of your loan period with options on how to return your instrument. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you haven't heard from us within 8 weeks of your loan end date.

Do not return the instrument to your child's school. They will not take responsibility for it because it belongs to Suffolk County Music Service.

Please make sure that the instrument is returned in good condition, complete with its accessories and in its original case.

You will be required to bear the cost of consumable items such as strings, rosin and reeds.

Suffolk County Music Service will pay for routine maintenance.

Please contact us to get the latest information on how to return your instrument.

Do not return the instrument to your child's school. They will not take responsibility for it because it belongs to Suffolk County Music Service.

Please make sure that the instrument is returned in good condition, complete with its accessories and in its original case.

Any change to your contact details must be made to Suffolk County Music Service as soon as is practically possible.

You can do this by email to county.musicservice@suffolk.gov.uk or phone 01473 263400 (Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm, closed Bank Holidays).