What does MN think of crowdfunding for an instrument?

[cingolimama]

Friend of mine's son (violinist) just got accepted into a junior conservatoire. The kid is seriously talented, but was advised to get a new instrument so he can cope with the demands of repertoire at his level. The family are on a low-income, and already receive a few grants and they would be able to exchange current instrument etc to cobble together some funds. However, a new violin and bow of the required standard would be around £3000, which is way more than they can afford.

I suggested crowdfunding. It's something that personally, I'd be happy to contribute to (I've been asked for various things in the past and usually cough up), but I know that some think it's "grabby". But if it's for education for a young person, as opposed to a holiday or a wedding, would that be okay with you?

MN jury, verdicts please....

Yes. I'd support it. Too many kids involved in violence in today's society. It's nice to see kids still pick a musical instrument up

Whilst I can agree with you to a certain extent Ylvamoon and obviously you have experience of this.
However, ime it's quite rare for a child to get to this level and then want to give it up. The ones that do, the biggest group seem to be those who were doing it for Mum or Dad, not saying you were like this btw, some kids just burn out.
I would support the child, but still doubt the reliability of the source.
The insurance on a cheaper instrument is bad enough and it would need to be insured.

The tax payer funds most of dd place at her school and I am eternally grateful and so is she, she works so hard. I'm sure this young man would be immensely grateful for a leg up.

Agree with witchend
They could explore borrowing or hiring first.
Also they could go back to conservatoire and ask what help is available since they obviously want the child in their ranks
Dd has an instrument on loan .. we couldn't afford to buy it and the orchestra wanted that particular instrument to be used.

Did they explore the "take it away" scheme? You can basically purchase an instrument for up to £5k on monthly instalments without any interest applied to the loan.

More info here

www.takeitaway.org.uk

We need a far better instrument than we can afford, and the child is question reckons she is going to play it for ever. I wouldn't crowdfund though! We are looking into grants, loan schemes and charities, and will also have to save up ourselves.

Is there a particular instrument the family is trying to buy? Have they got advice from people who really know what they are talking about? It is possible to find very good sounding instruments for less than this for a student, if the family can find an instrument dealer who takes an interest in the child. Probably the teacher of the child would be the best person to advise them about this. There is not a direct correlation between the sound of an instrument and its value, so it is possible to find very healthy sounding violins for lower prices and crappy sounding ones for 10s of thousands and more...

The London conservatoires (especially the RAM) have fantastic instrument collections which they lend out, probably mostly to conservatoire students, but they may be able to lend a few cheaper ones to younger kids (£3000 would be considered a very cheap violin by the standards of these conservatoires).

I think it would make sense for the child to try a few different instruments borrowed from a good, but not a pretentious, dealer, and then do a fundraising concert, crowdfunding, find a sponsor, etc to pay for it. I don't know London dealers except the most pretentious ones (I am American). There is a violin shop in Newbury that I think is quite good, so I would have a look there, perhaps. www.philipbrownviolins.co.uk/default.asp?action=ShowCategory&CategorId=43

Gilly, with respect, you are mistaken. Children at serious conservatoires are expected to come with serious instruments. Unfortunately these cost a lot of money.

A professional playing "in a renowned orchestra" would have to add at least another zero to £3000 for their instrument.

The family has had excellent advice, from a number of exceptionally reliable (disinterested) sources.

You are right, op, in this world £3000 doesn't go very far, unfortunately.

I came to say what Clara has said. The school will have contacts with people who own good instruments that are available for loan, and will own its own instruments.

Thanks Fleur for suggesting "take it away". But they only work with certain retailers and not any specialist string shops. Sigh.

The family are going to see some violins at Benslow. Hopefully, he'll find a violin that suits and he can borrow that for a while, which will give the family time to save up/apply for grants etc in order to buy one eventually.

Thanks everyone.

It's worth a try. I'd contribute if I had any spare £. Look up www.a-y-m.org.uk they often help towards an instrument and then maybe they can crowdfunding the rest?

Link fail. I'm not on mumsnet much these days...

Benslow looks like a great organisation.

mummy, I know of AYM, and you're right - they are terrific. And more and more necessary.