Where to get instrument for 5th grade music?

We've rented instruments from K&S in Berkeley Heights and Elefante in New Providence. Both were good. Music & Arts is in Millburn, which might be closer. They are newer, so that wasn't an option a few years ago. Never heard of The Music Shop. Don't know if there is much of a price difference between the stores.

Check the prices. We used K&S as well as The Music Shop in Boonton. Most school rental outfits offer a great one year rental, then it goes up significantly. They also visit the schools on a weekly basis to pick up & drop off repairs, etc. but we found that driving up 280 to 80 for one exit (for the Music Shop) was pretty quick when we needed the instrument fixed before a concert or such. Music & Arts is pretty new, but is a franchise. You can't beat the location if you need to be there for any reason.

PS Trombone jokes are legion!

Have your kid look up/watch Trombone Shorty. My son who just graduated from CHS took up Trombone in middle school, played all the way through HS (band, jazz band and marching band) and brought his to college. Good luck!

We used to use Elefante but switched to Music & Arts because more convenient. Super nice people and we felt the quality of the instrument was better. Highly recommend.

PS For the first year or so, I recommend earplugs!

Elefante music generally does a decent job servicing the instruments. As a trombonist I've heard ( and told) many of the jokes . In many cases you can insert "viola" for trombone!

Very happy over the years with K&S. Responsive, helpful, easy to work with. Can't say anything about price comparison.

ros said:
Elefante music generally does a decent job servicing the instruments. As a trombonist I've heard ( and told) many of the jokes . In many cases you can insert "viola" for trombone!

I used to practice trombone a lot, but I let it slide.

Yes, the viola is the butt of jokes in orchestras; trombones in bands.

When I was in band (and orchestra) in high school and college, the bassoon (my instrument) was the butt of many jokes ... definitely more than trombones and violas!