Instrument Hire

Music on Sea offer an instrument hire scheme so that your child or young person can trial learning to play an instrument without additional costs or for affordability purposes. This currently costs £30 per school term. The hire pricing model may be subject to change in the new term. Assistance is available based on eligibility.

Individual hire involves:

  • Hiring an instrument on a termly basis.
  • Access to a wide range of instruments (subject to availability), including but not limited to Saxophone, Cello, Trumpet, Flute, Violin, Clarinet and Guitar. Waiting lists are held if an instrument is not available.

To hire an instrument, please contact musiconsea@southend.gov.uk with the details of your request.

Collection

Instruments are to be collected from the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend on Sea, SS2 6ER. You will be invited to collect the instrument at a time that is suitable for both you and the Music on Sea officer who is working to fulfil your hire request. Music on Sea does not deliver instruments to home, school or work.

Instrument Care

Music on Sea has compiled a resource to help you care for your instrument throughout the hire period. This can be found here.

Return

Once your hire has completed, the instrument must be returned to the Civic Centre in the condition in which it was hired. As with collections, you will be invited to return the instrument at a time which is suitable for all parties.

Terms and Conditions

By hiring an instrument from Music on Sea, you are agreeing to the following Terms and Conditions.

Definitions and Conditions of Hire
  • The owner: Music on Sea (Southend City Council Music Service).
  • The hirer: Usually the parent or carer, or the student if over 18.
  • The instrument: Any instrument offered for hire, including the case and any accessories (bow, cleaning rods etc).
Key Points
  1. The minimum hire period is one term, except for hires starting mid-term.
  2. Fees will be invoiced termly.
  3. The hire can be terminated at any time by returning the instrument to the owner, but any fees already paid are non-refundable.
  4. The owner does not guarantee to provide any particular instrument at any time.
  5. The owner reserves the right to refuse a hire without giving a reason, and to terminate an agreement with one month’s notice. Fees will only be refundable if less than half a term has elapsed.
  6. The hirer is liable for the loss of, or any damage to, the instrument. The hirer should procure adequate insurance cover for the Instrument.
  7. The owner may request evidence of insurance cover before issuing the instrument. In such cases, the hire will commence upon issue.
  8. The Hirer must seek the owner’s approval before any repairs are undertake and the hirer will be responsible for any costs incurred.
  9. The instrument will remain the property of the owner at all times, and the hirer has no right to buy the instrument at any time.
  10. The hirer must notify the owner of any change of address, school or contact details.
  11. The hirer will be responsible for any costs incurred in the event of defaulting payments and/or non-compliance with this agreement.
  12. Any dispute over this agreement will be referred to arbitration.
Conditions of Hire

The instrument remains the property of Music on Sea during hire and is hired solely to the student named on page one. The instrument is not to be loaned or shared with others or shared more widely.

Hire criteria is:

  1. full time education (ages 4 – 18)
  2. attend a Southend-on-Sea city school
  3. use the instrument for educational purposes

If over the hire period, the student does not meet the criteria the instrument is to be returned to the service.

Prior to collection, the hire fee must be paid. Identification (proof of name and address) is to be shown on collection and the hire proforma completed. Forms of ID include a driving license and birth certificate, as well as proof or address such as a utility bill (dated within the preceding three months).

Length of Hire

The minimum hire period is one term (adjusted for midterm hire) and for the current academic year.

Music on Sea reserve the right to deny the extension of the hire into the next academic year if the instrument has not been properly maintained during the hire. The hire into the subsequent academic year will be classed as a new hire term and the pricing may be revised.

Returning the Instrument

At the end of each term, all parents will be sent details about how to return the instrument and the return date to avoid incurring the hire fee for the following term. Failure to meet this deadline will result in the hirer being charged for the following term’s hire fee.

Instruments can be returned mid-term, but no monies will be returned or invoices cancelled.
Instruments must be returned to the Music on Sea team (not to the school or another student).

All instruments should be returned in good condition and any damage or wear and tear reported.

The costs of any damage to or loss of any accessories supplied with the instrument including cases, bows, slings, mouthpiece caps, end stops, cleaning rods and cloths, will be met by the parent/carer. The replacements of strings or reeds are the responsibility of the parent/carer.

Change of Instrument Size

A larger instrument may be required, e.g. for string instruments. If this is required families should contact Music on Sea and, availability permitting, the instrument will be exchanged without additional charge.

Damage & Loss

The parent/carer of the hirer is responsible for any damage caused to the instrument. Any damage must be reported immediately to Music on Sea.

If the instrument is lost or stolen the parent/carer of the hirer will be liable for a replacement. It is recommended that appropriate insurance is in place by the hirer. Music on Sea are unable to recommend any providers of insurance.

Music on Sea must be notified immediately if the instrument is lost or stolen.

Repair & Maintenance

The parent/carer of the hirer should ensure that the instrument is properly looked after. If the instrument needs maintenance Music on Sea should be notified. The hirer must not attempt to repair the instrument themselves or arrange for someone else to. Music on Sea will not reimburse any private repairs that have been undertaken without agreement in advance.

All personal items should be removed, including the disposal of reeds if relevant. Should the instrument be returned damaged there may be a charge for any necessary repair at the discretion of Music on Sea.

Cost of Hire

This is £30 per term for all instruments. It is subject to review and change.

The first term’s hire must be paid in advance of collecting the instrument. Subsequent fees are invoiced by Southend-on-Sea City Council and must be paid within 30 days. Failure to pay two invoices by the deadline will result in the hire being terminated and possible legal action. Music on Sea may, at their own discretion, may charge a fee for failure to pay at least two invoices.

Financial Assistance

The criteria is:

  • students in receipt of free school meals or pupil premium grant
  • holders of a Southend Advantage Card Category C (only category C can be accepted)
  • students with an Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
  • young carers

In addition, there is full assistance for Children Looked After. No fees can be reimbursed retrospectively if the service is not notified in advance of eligibility.

Privacy Notice

The Southend-on-Sea City Council Privacy Notice is available on our website, via the following link: www.southend.gov.uk/privacynotice.