I have two children starting band this year. Both decided to play the trumpet. One child is 15 and the other is 11. I looked on Craigslist and other like sites for several weeks and came up with nothing. Anyway, a friend mentioned a site to me that sells inexpensive music instruments and I ended up ordering two trumpets along with some other items. I researched this particular trumpet and it had good reviews.
At the school my youngest attends they were having a "horn drive" as they call it. A music store comes to the school to sell instruments and wow, if you can't afford it you can rent to own. Ah, no! Really???
He told his instructor that I had ordered one online and it was in transit. She asked what kind and he told her. She then said "Tell your mom those are cheap. They are not worth anything and for me to not even open the box and send it back." I cannot believe she would say this to my child! Who does she think she is? He was upset by her comment and voiced his concern over what she had said. He relayed that she wanted me to call her. I called and left a message. No call back and it's been over a week. He came home another day and said I was supposed to call her and I told him that she has my number if it's such a big concern.
Sorry about the rant, but am I overreacting?
Do people not think before they speak??? Rant ahead
September 10th, 2012 at 02:59 pm
September 10th, 2012 at 03:16 pm 1347290202
I would let it go. Feeding into the frenzy of the comment will just further upset your child. I am appalled at the things grown-ups say (to my own children included) and have learned that if I make more out of things, my child's emotions are riled up more than they need to be. Your calmness and finding humor at the situation will neutralize the negativity of the situation.
As the parent of a second-year trumpet playing 11 year old, I will admit that we are doing a rent-to-own option at $24 a month. This is a pretty basic beginner trumpet. We are also a second generation, trumpet-playing family and in my brother's day, he was classically trained by a member of the Tommy Dorsey band. My brother played a Salieri valued at over $2K 25 years ago. I imagine that as in anything, there is a wide range for "tools of the trade."
September 10th, 2012 at 03:47 pm 1347292031
September 10th, 2012 at 04:26 pm 1347294410
September 10th, 2012 at 04:46 pm 1347295597
September 10th, 2012 at 05:07 pm 1347296866
September 10th, 2012 at 05:09 pm 1347296952
I think teachers want band to be a good experience and feel that an inferior instrument add more frustration if it doesn't hold up to the stress student flutes receive...however, I think your child's teacher was completely wrong in their approach!
September 10th, 2012 at 05:48 pm 1347299330
September 11th, 2012 at 02:10 am 1347329402
September 11th, 2012 at 01:14 pm 1347369297
My thoughts on this are: I would contact the band instructors supervisor to let them know about her demeanor. She should in no way make your child feel bad about his trumpet. I'd have no contact with the woman, but she needs a definite lesson in kindness.
September 22nd, 2012 at 12:06 am 1348272383
Jerry