Connecting with the Community
Successful orchestra directors strive to make the right string contacts!
When the mutual goal of orchestra success is collectively shared by members of the community, many positive outcomes are possible. The suggestions that follow, have helped many orchestra programs expand and thrive.
In person, be sure to introduce yourself to all of the violin shop owners in the area. Simply put, without string teachers and their students, luthiers would not have the proper volume of string enthusiast customers needed to stay in business.
Offering instrument rentals, repairs, bow re-hairs, replacement strings, rosins, music accessories and instrument purchases, are all what makes violin shops thrive. Shop owners have a strong interest in your students becoming their customers. Most students begin by renting, with the option of purchasing their instrument. Violin shops succeed by having a large rental inventory.
When rental instruments are returned or other instruments are traded towards a purchase, most all violin shops have a large degree of inventory that is either refurbished and rented again, put into storage or discarded. This is where you can suggest a mutual win-win scenario to the shop owner.
Being affiliated with schools and other organizations is imperative for most violin shop’s survival. It is also true, that school systems often do not allow specific business endorsements. However, donation of goods to be used for educational purposes, are frequently sought after and applauded.
Asking violin shops to donate used instruments to your school orchestra program, can possibly bring needed equipment to your school. When the proper paperwork is secured, the shop owner may also be permitted to claim a charitable tax-deduction.
Since your orchestra will have concert programs, you can promise to place a special “thank you” to the shop in the program. Ask them for artwork they may wish to include. Most shops extend educational discounts for school equipment purchases. Ask if they can set up a dedicated school orchestra account and offer a repair and maintenance discount plan. They will be pleased to give you flyers to disperse to your classes about rentals. This may bring welcome business to their violin shop.
Rental bows are rarely re-rented and sadly, most often they are just thrown away. Asking shops to “hold” onto these bows for use by students, most always yields positive results. Luthiers are good contacts to add to your orchestra support network.
