Instrument Loan FAQs

Your guarantor can be a parent, grandparent, or another responsible adult — they don’t need to be a relative. What’s important is that they live in the UK and are available on the day of your appointment to sign the loan agreement, accept the loan charges and leave a deposit. 

The guarantor’s statement should include details about the borrower’s musical journey, achievements, character, and personality. A little background about your family and circumstances is also helpful — it gives us a fuller picture of your story. 

We love to hear about you! Tell us what music means to you. How does playing your instrument make you feel? What would a better instrument help you achieve? We’re especially interested in how your sound is developing and what support you feel you need to grow further. 

A short video helps us choose the best instruments for you to try. You can upload a clip directly with your application or share a link (like a YouTube video). If your file is too large, feel free to use a file transfer service — just let us know by email that you’re sending it. There’s no need for studio-quality footage — a minute or so filmed on a smartphone is absolutely fine. Audio files are also welcome, but it’s lovely to see you play as well as hear you. 

Bursary applications must come from your guarantor, as they’re based on household income. If you’re over 18 and can show that you are financially independent, you may apply yourself. 

Yes. Households with a gross annual income under £60,000 can apply. 

Your guarantor will need to provide evidence of all household income and any benefits received. Bursaries are reviewed annually, so you will need to provide evidence every year. 

It usually takes around two months from the time we receive your successful application to your invitation to make an appointment. This can vary depending on your needs, the waiting list and instrument availability. 

We carefully review your application, teacher’s reference, and any video/audio you’ve sent. Based on your age, experience, and playing level, we select instruments that will suit you. While we value input from teachers and musical parents, our selection is impartial and based on extensive experience as well as stock availability. 

We don’t share instrument details ahead of time to keep things fair. Exceptions may be made for advanced or postgraduate students. For wind instruments, we may need to discuss sizing and fingering systems beforehand. 

You’ll have up to two hours to explore and choose your instrument in a relaxed, informal setting. We’re here to help as much — or as little — as you need. 

Sometimes, just having an extra pair of ears in the room makes all the difference! 

Bring your current instrument and bow, and any music you’d like to play. Starting with your own bow can help you settle in quickly, and playing your current instrument for a minute or two helps you adjust to the studio’s acoustics. 

Your guarantor and you must attend. Your teacher is very welcome too — either in person or via video link. Other family members can come, but please keep the group to a maximum of three plus the student, as space is limited. We ask that siblings under five stay home if at all possible, and please no pets — unless it’s an assistance dog, which our luthier Marco would absolutely adore! 

This is rare, but if none of the instruments feel right, we may be able to offer alternatives. If that’s not possible, you’ll be invited to rejoin the waiting list and return when new stock is available. 

You can request a review appointment at any time, though this usually happens after a few years when you’re ready to upgrade. If you’re using a fractional-size instrument, you’ll need a review as soon as you’re ready to move up. We aim to help you make a confident choice, but we understand that sometimes a second visit is needed. 

Our on-site luthier, Marco, is available by appointment on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays (9.00am to 4.00pm). If you live far from Hitchin, we’ll provide details of an approved luthier near you. You’ll get a reminder when it’s time to book your service. 

You’ll be given contact details for an approved luthier, and you can also book an appointment with Marco. Please inform us and your insurance company within 24 hours of any damage. No repairs should be made without our written permission. 

Yes — but only for organised musical trips like orchestra tours, competitions or study. You’ll need written permission from us beforehand. Instruments must travel as cabin luggage (never in the hold), and cellos require a booked seat. Make sure your insurance covers international travel and check with your airline in advance about their policies. 

Yes, if you’ve accepted a place to study in the following year and continue regular lessons and practice, you can keep your instrument during a gap year between school and university. 

This is less common and assessed individually. We’d need to chat with you to understand your plans. 

No. Our instruments are lent or donated for public benefit and must remain available to future generations of musicians. 

Instruments are too valuable to be posted and must be returned in person, with a receipt signed by a member of our team. In exceptional cases, bows under £2,500 may be returned by post — but only with written permission and packaging advice from us. 

Yes, absolutely! If your instrument or bow is on loan from a generous individual, we’ll share their contact details and encourage you to reach out. (Under-18s should do so through a parent or guardian.) Many owners love hearing from borrowers and may even attend your concerts if they’re nearby. 

No, we welcome high quality, handmade instruments of all ages and makers. Full-size violins and violas should have a minimum insurance value of around £3,000, and full-size cellos £3,500. Smaller instruments are also welcome if they are of good quality, though their value may be lower.

No, instruments can be lent or donated without a bow.

Yes, we are very grateful to receive high quality bows.

No, but modern cases are always appreciated, and donors are welcome to contribute towards the cost of specialist cases if they wish.

It’s up to you whether you’d prefer to lend your instrument or donate it to the scheme. If it’s on loan, the instrument remains the property of the owner throughout its time with us – and we’ll draw up a loan agreement, so everything is clear. 

If you’d like to donate the instrument, it will become part of our permanent collection and can help young musicians for many years to come. We lend instruments to students initially for a minimum of three years to enable them to make progress. This can be extended at the owner’s discretion.

We welcome any existing valuations or documentation you can provide. Our in-house luthier will also make an insurance valuation, and if needed we will agree a final figure with you. All valuations are updated regularly.

For loans, instruments must be in good playing condition and ready to loan. Our luthier checks every instrument, and any servicing or repairs needed will be discussed with you. When instruments are loaned, we complete a detailed condition report and photographic record.

If a donated instrument isn’t quite right for our students, it may be offered to other projects (such as overseas schemes) or sold at auction to raise funds for new purchases. Your generosity will always support the charity’s work.

All instruments in our care are covered by our specialist musical instrument insurance. We cover maintenance while the instrument is with us. Once out on loan, borrowers must insure the instrument within 24 hours. Replacement strings and rosin are the borrower’s responsibility.

Our expert luthier oversees the care of all donated instruments, ensuring they remain in good playing condition for future generations of musicians.

All instruments are covered by an all-risks specialist insurance policy. If damage occurs, the borrower must obtain a repair quote from one of our approved luthiers. We will inform and involve the lender at every stage, including any necessary insurance negotiations.

We ask lenders and donors to deliver instruments to us whenever possible. If this is difficult, please contact us and we’ll do our best to help.

We ask that you collect it in person with proof of identity. If this isn’t possible, you may authorise someone else to collect it on your behalf.

Lenders are welcome to give preferences (for example, postgraduate students or a certain standard of playing) and we will do our best to accommodate them. Especially high-value instruments are typically allocated to advanced students.

No, we’re unable to make personal arrangements of this kind.

Yes! Unless you prefer to remain anonymous, we will share your contact details with the borrower. They’re encouraged (but not obliged) to write and share updates about their musical progress. 

For donated instruments, ownership transfers fully to the scheme, so we can’t facilitate direct contact. However, we regularly share updates on student successes through our website and social media.

Some instruments may take longer to find the right match. If your instrument remains unallocated for a period, we’ll contact you to discuss options.

After the initial three-year loan period, instruments can be recalled with three months’ written notice. This gives us time to find a suitable replacement for the student.

We’ll contact you at the end of the loan period to confirm your wishes. Instruments remain your property and will be stored until collected by you or your authorised representative

Yes, we welcome instruments given in memory of loved ones. A special label with their name can be placed inside the instrument or case if you wish.

A valuation is helpful but not essential. We can advise on suitable places to obtain one if needed.

As a small charity, we don’t normally purchase instruments. In exceptional cases – such as instruments by named makers with provenance – we may consider it.