Man, I just feel like bawling my eyes out right now! I moved to Manchester in June and had to leave my oboe in Northern Ireland because it wasn't mine and I had to give it back to the School of Music. So, sadly, I haven't played the oboe since before the summer (May was full to the brim with exams ).

And now I plan on getting my own oboe but I am NOWHERE NEAR the amount I need to buy it and I really miss it. I'm watching the proms at the moment and everyone was tuning up a while back and I got all teary and nostalgic .

The worst thing is that Shannen and I have an audition for the Stockport Youth Orchestra in September but neither of us have instruments, nor do we have the means to get instruments, so we're going to have to cancel our auditions.

Has anyone else ever been in this situation? It's awful!

Stéph.

Can you not rent instruments, or failing that, drum up support from family/friends to raise the necessary funds?

We've been looking into renting but because I'm not at school anymore and Shannen's taking a year out before sixth form we're finding it very difficult! Most people only have rental schemes or assisted purchase for school students Still looking though. If anyone has any solutions we'd be very grateful!

My family are having money problems at the moment and are already paying back a loan so that could be difficult.

*looks up the cost of an oboe*

*faints*

Yikes - good luck!

I know, isn't it ridiculous?! I don't even understand it and I play the damn thing... Excuse me...

I think I may have found a solution UNTIL I can get my own oboe - £50 a month with Howarths and you get a graduate oboe, ideal for the diploma-level musician which is what I need... however, I can't find anything for my sister She's doing her grade 8 flute and all of the rental flutes go up to about grade 6 but that's what she had before and she wants something a bit better.

Anyone know of any flute rental schemes that do grade 8 standard flutes?

I don't have any advice but that must be awful. Hope it gets sorted soon x

Have you spoken to the orchestra, they might have a suggestion. I presume there is a decent music shop in Manchester which might have an offering.

Isn't there a scheme run by the governemnt arts council for talented musicans who can't afford the huge cost of buying an instrument good enough for their standard?

Maybe a poke around the relevent website may yeild some positive results.

*hugs*

i dunno where id be without my lil clarinet *smiles*

Thanks



I haven't spoken to the orchestra - hadn't thought of that, thanks! I'll try that. As for the music shop, there's only one - Forsyth's - as far as I know that does oboes and flutes and we've tried there. They do have flutes but it isn't possible to rent unless you're at school which Shannen won't be because she's taking a year out

I will try the orchestra though



Hey, there must be! I'll do some "poking around"!



Thanks I know, I never thought I'd be without my oboe!

Hmm that sounds promising! I might check it out, thanks!

Band supplies do that.
Although i think they may be based in Glasgow

Do they do delivery across the UK?

Noodle! *hug* It's been a while! I moved to Manchester in June to live with my Mum

Yeah, Violin Hero said something about a government-run scheme. I'm trying to find something I can use over the next month because I have an audition in September so I think I'm going to try and hire something in the meantime. But a music trust or scheme would be good!

It's hard to find something that Shannen can use in the next month though because she's got an audition at the same time as me.

Pleased to hear you have an oboe lined up. All the best for your audition in September.

Thanks! I'll have a look at that. The thing is, I'm taking a year out and so is Shannen, so that we can get used to Manchester, so we wouldn't be able to do it this year.




Thanks! I HOPE this solution works!

have you looked at the Arts Council Take It Away scheme? they do interest-free loans to buy instruments with, paid back over 9 months. (up to £2,000, but if that's not enough, you can pay the rest yourself.)

That would be fantastic! It would be so much cheaper than having to pay £50 to rent an oboe and then buying one when I have enough money I'll look that up too!

I have to say, you guys are all amazing! I wasn't expecting this much in terms of options - thank you!!!

Oh yeah I bought my violin costing £1500 via take it way scheme. Hope you live near a participatng retailer.

For example is instrument cost £1000 you pay £100 up front and £100 a month till it's paid off. They do have to do a credit check on you first beore you can use the scheme.

I think it's excellent that schemes like this exist What an informative thread.

Best of luck sorting something out, and also for the audition, Stephie & sister!

I checked it out and unfortunately you have to be in full-time education and as Shan and I are taking a year out we're not eligible It's worth keeping an eye on though, for the future!



Thanks! And Shannen says thanks

I never knew about the full time education thing. I am glad I didn't wait and went for it when I did!

Maybe if you see a suitable instrument you could ask if they would let you have it on some kind of finance option? Tell them you are in desperate need of a suitable instrument but can't afford to pay it all upfront.

Obviously some shops will say no but maybe there is at least 1 that will accomodate your needs.

Alternativey you could got o the shop participating form the take it away scheme and ask to rent the required instrument. Then when you enter full time education like you plan to do you can then buy it under the take it away scheme and perhaps see if the cost of the rental could be taken off the payment due.

There just be something that can be wored out somehow. Its not like your the only family that can't afford suitable instruments for talented musicans.

I thought "Take it away" was supposed to be for everyone - thought it was only the vat thing that you had to be in full time education for. What a shame!

Yes the Take it away scheme is for anybody over the age of 18 who passes the credit check. Think there may be a misunderstanding, who did you check with?

You are right it is the VAT assisted scheme that you need to be in an LEA school to be able to participate in.

Oh good, I'm glad that wasn't correct - not that I am in a position to use the scheme, but it would be a shame for something else to be limited to those in full time education.*











* yes, I know there is often a good reason, but I'm glad to know it doesn't always apply!

or my piano ...

Flip guys, you're right. I must've been looking at the Benslow one! But yeah, that scheme looks really good! I'll show my mum later...

Thanks again!

Good luck, Stephie and Shannon. I really hope you are able to get your instruments.

Thank you! And Shannen says thanks, too

I just bought a Clavinova using this last week. The website gives you names of the stores taking part. If they have websites themselves I'd suggest checking out who's selling what you want at the best price.

I just had to fill out a form with my details and a direct debit form. I thought they'd do a credit check while I was waiting but the lady said no, that was it. I paid 10% deposit and walked away, my piano was delivered yesterday! It's fab.

Good luck with your shopping

Did you have any luck?

A few years ago I got £1,000 from EMI (possibly Music Sound Foundation) towards an oboe for a pupil who couldn't afford one, and some from The Musicians Benevolent Fund. I'm afraid I can't remember anything about the terms and conditions re being in education, but if you are going for interviews it might be relevant.

Hi Steph

I am sure that you must be able to rent one, most music shops do a hire to buy scheme and nothing to do with schools.

It is also possible that you can even do it via the internet, as I know you can even rent pianos so an oboe should be a piece of cake.

Do a google search for oboe rental, put your postcode in and see what happens. If that fails, contact your library and see if they can put you in the right direction.

I am sure that you will soon have an oboe in your possession.

ET

Thanks for the advice guys I'm saving up at the moment, but I'm still on the hunt for good schemes. I'll let you know when I have an oboe on the way!

Are you going to the RNCM woodwind weekend (this weekend)? Howarths and others will be there.

I don't have an oboe though Do you have to? Can you just go in and see Howarths or be in the audience or something?

No you just stroll in. You're probably too late to register to take part in anything anyway but I'm sure you could still go to sessions as an observer. The trade stands will be in the foyer so no problem there.

See http://www.basbwe.org/rncmww.htm for programme.

Sounds fab! Can't believe I live in Manchester and hadn't heard of it... And it means I could ask Howarths directly about getting an oboe Thank you!

Stephie, you MUST read Viva Woodwinds. I've been plugging it for ages. Plus there are loads of good cheap concerts at the RNCM.

Haha! I haven't been on in ages which is why I haven't checked it out

Well, I don't know if anyone's still reading this, but I tried a Howarth's S40 today and LOVED IT! And it's pretty much set that I'll have an oboe very soon using the 'Take It Away' scheme. Shannen tried a Miyazawa flute and is going to get that one

So thanks for all the tips guys!

Wonderful news all round

Yep! I'm feeling a little depressed now that I'm back home with no oboe, but at least I know that I'll get it soon...!

You can at least count the days off 'til you get it!

Wonderful news Stephie. I'm pleased you like it. That's one more member of the ABRSM Forums S40 massive. Yay indeed.

Did you get to any of the sessions at RNCM?

Yay! Congratulations

Unfortunately not We could only stay for a little while, and we were already in the stalls hall for about an hour! But I'm planning to go to the Woodwind Playday in January


Thanks!

Excellent news- are you getting a brand new one or did you manage to find one second hand?

I had a go on an S40 at the RNCM woodwind weekend - managed to get there just as they were packing up. The oboe was very nice but felt a bit rushed trying it so didn't really get a proper feel for it! Possibly will be a second hand one available soon, and my teacher has a second hand S45 for me to try. So will hopefully have a new instrument within the next few weeks too.

How long do you have to wait for yours to arrive?

yay!

I haven't ordered it yet - Howarth said that it would be worth having a look on their website first to see if there were any second-hand S40s but there weren't any there. They warned me that teachers always bagged the S20s, S40s and S45s as soon as they made the second-hand list!

Will hopefully have it within the next month though


My thoughts exactly!