STOCK UPDATE
The following instruments are currently Out of Stock and therefore unavailable for hire:
| Instrument | Size / Type |
|---|---|
| Bassoon | All Types |
| Cello | Three Quarter & Full Size |
| Double Bass | All Sizes |
| French Horn | All Types |
| Saxophone (Alto) | All Types |
| Trombone | All Types |
| Trumpet | All Types |
| Violin | Full Size |
Please note that our stock is limited and not likely to change in the foreseeable future. If you still require an instrument, you may wish to consider contacting an alternative supplier, such as Musical Instrument Hire Co., Normans Musical Instruments, Howarth London or Dawkes Music.
INSTRUMENT HIRE
EMS offers comprehensive instrument hire and purchase services for pupils and students living in Ealing or attending Ealing schools.
For pupils starting a new instrument, it makes sense to start with a hired instrument, especially for younger children who might start with scaled-down string instruments and work their way up to the full-size instruments as they grow.
Hire, Return or Exchange an Instrument.
To hire, return or exchange an instrument, please Book an Appointment.
If an instrument is not listed on the booking form, it is out of stock and unavailable for hire. An up-to-date stock list can be found at the top of this page.
Appointments can be booked up to 28 days in advance and are allocated on a first come first serve basis. New available dates will populate automatically.
Attendance is by appointment only. The EMS Offices at the Dominion centre are closed to the public outside appointment hours.
Once you have booked an appointment, please complete the Instrument Hire Contract.
Please complete the Instrument Hire Contract in advance of your appointment as you will not be able to hire an instrument without doing so.
Payment for instrument hires is by Direct Debit, with payments managed by Ealing Corporate Collections.
The Instrument Hire Contract authorises a payment covering each school term, and this continues until the instrument is returned.
Instrument hire rates can be found in the table below.
Instrument Hire Rates
EMS hires instruments at the highly subsidised rates shown in the table below. Instruments are hired on a school term basis, the hire charge covering the current school term plus the following holiday period and two weeks into the following term to allow for returns. After this period the hire charge for the following term will fall due.
Payment for instrument hires is by Direct Debit, with payments managed by Ealing Corporate Collections. The hirer completes an Instrument Hire Contract to authorise a payment covering each school term, and this continues until the instrument is returned.
| Instruments for Hire | Termly Charge 2025/26 |
Termly Charge 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Djembe, Tabla, Viola, Violin | £30 | £31.17 |
| Cello, Clarinet, Cornet, Flute, Saxophone (Alto), Santoor, Sitar, Trumpet, Trombone | £36 | £37.40 |
| Bassoon, Double Bass, French Horn, Oboe | £46.80 | £48.63 |
Please note that EMS does not hire Guitars, Recorders or Ukuleles as it is cheaper to buy those outright.
For advice on buying a guitar, please see EMS416 Advice on buying a Guitar for Beginners.pdf
Choosing and Caring for your Instrument
Choosing an instrument to learn can be quite daunting. Parents might consider type of instrument (wind, strings, brass, percussion, etc., ) and what type of ensemble – group, band or orchestra – their child might enjoy playing in (ome instruments are perfectly suited to playing alone; others are at their best when playing as part of a group). However, what is most important is that it is an instrument that excites and stimulates their child, so that practice at home, playing with others and music-making in general is a pleasure that becomes part of their life. For more advice see Choosing an Instrument
Brass and woodwind instruments have standard sizes; however, String instruments – Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass – come in different sizes.
If you are hiring a stringed instrument, please bring the child with you when you collect the instrument so we can ensure you are offered the right size instrument.
If this is not possible, then you will need to know the length of your child’s outstretched arm from neck to wrist.
As children grow they will need to move on to a larger sized instrument – their instrument teacher will advise on this – at which point hirers can simply return the instrument and exchange it for the next size up. There is no charge for this.
| Min. Player Arm Length | General Age | Violin/Cello Size |
|---|---|---|
| 58 cm (23 inches) | 10 to Adult | Full |
| 55 cm (22 inches) | 8 to 12 | Three Quarter |
| 51 cm (20 inches) | 6 to 10 | Half |
| 43 cm (17 inches) | 5 to 7 | Quarter |
| 41 cm (16 inches) | 3 to 6 | Eighth |
Note: these sizes are only a guide – the best approach is to try one and then swap if needed.
We would like you to take good care of your instrument.
Here are some advice notes which describe how to look after your instrument and what to do if you have a problem:
Hirers are required to care for their instruments and return them in the same condition as they were hire.
‘Fair wear and tear’ is allowed for – chips to varnish, worn pads, etc. HOWEVER the hirer is liable for the full cost of any repairs required to enable the instrument to be rehired, and the full cost of replacement if the instrument is lost.
EMS DOES NOT insure instruments on hire; accordingly it is the hirers responsibility to insure the instrument.
The simplest way to insure an instrument is through a home contents or renters insurance policy. We recommend that Hirers check if this is possible (you may need to add the instrument as a named item). Alternatively, companies which offer instrument insurance include:
Terms & Conditions of Hire
Ealing Music Service (EMS) hire musical instruments to children attending maintained schools or living in the London Borough of Ealing, with the support of Arts Council England.
A parent or legal guardian of the pupil must pick up the instrument and complete the Instrument Hire Contract.
Instruments issued are in good working order. Any previous minor damage (chips, repaired cracks, lacquer missing or small dents) will be noted before issue.
EMS instruments are not insured once they leave EMS. Parents who do not insure the instrument themselves must be prepared to pay for repair/replacement costs as necessary. It may be covered under your home contents insurance but this is something you will need to check. There are many companies specialising in instrument insurance, two of which are British Reserve on 0870 1600 303, or Musicians Insurance Services on 01629 760 101.
All EMS instruments have a serial number which will be noted and added to your hire account.
Brass and woodwind instruments only: In the interests of health & safety you are advised to clean the mouthpiece to your own satisfaction on a regular basis.
Instrument Hire is charged in advanced at the current termly rate: Details of instrument charging bands can be above. This charge will continue until up to 10 days after the instrument is returned to the EMS office. No refunds will be given on return of the instrument.
EMS reserves the right to increase the termly instrument hire charge on an annual basis.
If there is a problem with the instrument that your teacher cannot rectify, the instrument must be returned to EMS to be checked. To do so, please Book an Appointment.
If the instrument is damaged or lost, Ealing Music Service (EMS) will invoice the parent/guardian for the repair costs/replacement value.
EMS reserves the right to recall the instrument after one year so that it may be hired to another pupil.
EMS accepts no responsibility for any problems that may result from the use of this instrument.
Some instruments may be issued with certain consumables (reeds, strings, rosin, valve oil etc.). It is the hirer’s responsibility to replace these items as necessary