Is a new instrument considered school supplies?

TheKillerrAnna
Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:03:37 +0000

I’m going into college as a music major. I’m not totally sure where I’m going yet, but I’ve been accepted everywhere I’ve auditioned so far. My biggest issue is that I need a new viola. I definitely got lucky by getting a brand new one when I got it, so it’s relatively nice quality for a student viola, but it really can’t go past high school. I was a big kid, so I got this viola when I was 10, and at 17, I’m still using it. It’s the right size still and everything, and can create a decent enough tone for music admissions not to cringe, but they have all suggested I get a new one. A friend of mine told me where to go for my new instrument, I just need the money. My mom absolutely cannot afford it (at LEAST $3,000), and they don’t offer financing options. So I was wondering if school loans and scholarships I receive that are allowed to be used on school supplies could be used to buy my new instrument.

Any insight (especially from other music majors/parents) would be greatly appreciated!