here, tuba rentals include 2 instruments, with one mouth piece, so the student can bring one to school, and use one at home.  if my kid did that perhaps she would not be unable to find the thing in her pigsty (room)

here, high school football is not the same as there, no one goes, and I dont think there is a band.  some schools have cheerleaders, but the crowd consists of parents, teachers and the players girlfriends, if they are realy dedicated.

		Bev wrote:
		In middle schools here, students have to purchase. There are local music stores that work with directors.  The high school programs are a little different, in that some instruments are provided ... most percussion, larger woodwind and brass.  Smaller instruments are either rented or bought by students.  Sousaphones are the large Tuba, yes. Next to the drumline and trumpets, the sousaphone players are my favorite section to watch perform!   Of course the kids only perform if their grades are maintained. What a way to spend high school, huh?  ... get an education, learn music theory ... ham it up during a football game (half-time performances are serious, of course), there is as much competition going on in the stands as there is on the field - lol  I think a lot has changed in that regard too.  When that drumline leads the band to the bleachers, everyone is on their feet!   Never imagined I'd see myself in the stands at a high school football game.  What we do for our kids?!      Head banger wrote: good deal.  god only knows what toxins are in there.  here schools have no funding for band comp, and students must purchase or rent their own instruments, for band class.  now this is an oversized tuba, right?       Bev wrote: Thanks, Freeze. The district does not / cannot support this type of funding.  A bond was recently approved to cover long overdue improvements to facilities, etc. It's tough.  San Antonio to our North and schools in the Rio Grande Valley have 5 times the staffing for the same size program and facilities support a practice band hall and performing band hall.  I remember before one game pulling into the parking lot and the opposing school's band rig pulled up ... f*ckin' 18 wheeler.  You'd have thought 'Priest was making a half-time appearance - lol Anyway, thanks for your input. HB, I think the maintenance issue is one of the points I will use when I apply for these grants.  In their current condition, I'm surprised no one has contracted some fatal desease from the corrosive buildup inside the tubes ...