How much is enough – Northeast
Oct 12th 2014, 1:13 pm
#166
Under blue skies
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: East Anglia->New England
Posts: 3,624
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
- JH Band - we have to buy our instruments - 6th grader is doing trumpet - $500. 8th grader did percussion - $400 in 6th, and recommended home practice instrument in 7th was $
3000. We bought the same on Craigslist for $700, and sold it this year for the same price
- JH Band - despite above, all members get a $100 per year instrument fee to cover the "big stuff" - Euphonium, Tuba, bass drum, trailer to cart it all round in.
3000. We bought the same on Craigslist for $700, and sold it this year for the same price- JH Band - despite above, all members get a $100 per year instrument fee to cover the "big stuff" - Euphonium, Tuba, bass drum, trailer to cart it all round in.
One of my kids took trombone and band in 6th grade back in the 90s, and very luckily the school had contact with a musical instrument outfit that provided one to rent. I say luckily because the enthusiasm for trombone/band did not last the school year....
(Edited after Yorkieabroad's post)
Last edited by WEBlue; Oct 12th 2014 at 2:24 pm.
Oct 12th 2014, 1:47 pm
#168
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Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Where bad things rarely happen in movies
Posts: 8,933
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
What? The schools don't recommend and even facilitate renting musical instruments any more? This seems crazy!!
One of my kids took trombone and band in 6th grade back in the 90s, and very luckily the school a musical instrument outfit to provide one to rent. I say luckily because the enthusiasm for trombone/band did not last the school year....
One of my kids took trombone and band in 6th grade back in the 90s, and very luckily the school a musical instrument outfit to provide one to rent. I say luckily because the enthusiasm for trombone/band did not last the school year....
Last edited by Yorkieabroad; Oct 12th 2014 at 1:50 pm.
Oct 12th 2014, 2:21 pm
#169
Under blue skies
Joined: Mar 2011
Location: East Anglia->New England
Posts: 3,624
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
I could have phrased that better...."we have to provide our instruments", rather than them being school provided. Yes, you can rent them through various local music shops, but they all work on pretty much the same formula where the breakeven renting versus buying is just under 20 months, so if you are thinking of more than 1 year of Band (which we do) then it makes more sense to buy.
But for most parents we knew back then, it was best for at least the first year NOT to buy, because who knew if their child would even like that instrument? Maybe they'd want to switch to another one, or quit altogether. Also, I know from my own experience that it's necessary to play for while--at least a year, perhaps more--before parent and student can even tell what constitutes a decent quality of instrument for purchasing....
Last edited by WEBlue; Oct 12th 2014 at 2:24 pm.
Oct 12th 2014, 4:39 pm
#171
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
Maybe regional, and cultural. My kids didn't cost us one thin dime when they graduated. They were going to school, then they graduated, then it was summer and they didn't go back to school. End of school. Some of their classmates, however .... Bumper stickers, proud grandparents, balloons on the mailbox, parties, extravagant gifts, etc.
OK I remembered, we had to buy the gown and cap, but that was it. Oh and maybe a Carvel ice cream cake, but we buy those at the least provocation!
OK I remembered, we had to buy the gown and cap, but that was it. Oh and maybe a Carvel ice cream cake, but we buy those at the least provocation!
Oct 12th 2014, 5:22 pm
#173
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,559
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
Neither of them ever did. They were just not interested in things like that - probably came from having a mother who grew up in the Bronx and was/is somewhat contemptuous of some aspects of small town life....
Oct 12th 2014, 5:35 pm
#174
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,027
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
The amount of money some of the parenta spent on dresses for 15 year olds was eye watering. They had to wear long white dresses...not really the sort of dress that could be worn again.
Oct 12th 2014, 7:23 pm
#177
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
Oct 12th 2014, 8:17 pm
#178
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,559
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
They may do, but I suspect folks in cities have more choices and are less subject to peer pressure. In a NYC high school you leave the premises and you just become an anonymous member of the citizenry .... May be different in the social media generation, I suppose..
Oct 12th 2014, 11:35 pm
#179
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
I think "Kardashianian era" is the description you're looking for. 
Certainly as far as I can tell a lot has changed in the last 20-25 years. I can't help but wonder if part of the change is the fact that many people aren't getting married until much later in life, if indeed at all, therefore parents are more willing to splurge on HS graduation celebrations now than if they had a wedding to fund a few years later.
Certainly as far as I can tell a lot has changed in the last 20-25 years. I can't help but wonder if part of the change is the fact that many people aren't getting married until much later in life, if indeed at all, therefore parents are more willing to splurge on HS graduation celebrations now than if they had a wedding to fund a few years later.
Last edited by Pulaski; Oct 12th 2014 at 11:38 pm.
Oct 13th 2014, 12:16 am
#180
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: How much is enough – Northeast
I think "Kardashianian era" is the description you're looking for.
Certainly as far as I can tell a lot has changed in the last 20-25 years. I can't help but wonder if part of the change is the fact that many people aren't getting married until much later in life, if indeed at all, therefore parents are more willing to splurge on HS graduation celebrations now than if they had a wedding to fund a few years later.
Certainly as far as I can tell a lot has changed in the last 20-25 years. I can't help but wonder if part of the change is the fact that many people aren't getting married until much later in life, if indeed at all, therefore parents are more willing to splurge on HS graduation celebrations now than if they had a wedding to fund a few years later.
Part of me finds it ridiculous and part of me is jealous of all the fun they have.