New Instruments Create a Celebration of Sound!

When it comes to the performing arts, Bloomfield Hills Schools is spectacular. From the elementary program through the high school Collage Concerts, specialty ensembles, and competitions, BHS students are learning not only performance technique, discipline, and collaboration, but also science, math, language arts, history & culture, and so much more behind the scenes through their study of music. It also brings a level of joy to those playing, and in turn to those who are entertained.

Despite the incredible educational value of our music programs, the aging condition of the BHS-owned instruments started to pose a challenge due to the fact that many of the instruments BHS used in classrooms and lent to students were almost 50 years old. Like anything, instruments don’t just “lose their luster”, they also deteriorate over time, changing their sound and ability to play. Furthermore, parts and pieces were breaking more often, which led to instruments being unavailable when at the shop. They were also becoming more and more expensive to fix, or not fixable at all. This led the Performing Arts staff to perform a detailed, in-depth analysis of the instruments BHS owned. Then they created a multi-faceted request for replacement in order to benefit both the students and the program overall.

According to Board of Education Trustee Lindsay Baker, “Tareq [Trustee Falah] and I are on the Curriculum & Instruction committee. At one of the meetings, the administration laid out the performing arts needs and how they determined them. We had an opportunity to ask questions, but I trusted the experts, our teachers and staff closest to the programming, when it came to surveying the needs and putting together a reasonable ask. I am a big proponent of the arts in our schools and am happy to support our continued investment in the program for our students! And this had the full support of the board with a unanimous vote.”

The project involved analyzing the expected life of each instrument, which included input from musical experts outside of BHS. They created a timeline for replacement, a list of instruments to purchase, and the start of a digital inventory and cyclical replacement program. With the passing of the vote, the department received a multi-year approval to replace old instruments, including over $250,000 worth of instruments in this calendar year alone.

Some of the notable replacements are specialty instruments that are too expensive or that students wouldn't typically purchase, like marching-specific instruments, basic instruments when families need them, and even instruments for students who desire to play a second and third instrument. This calendar year, replacements included: a full drumline for marching band, sousaphones, timpani drums, chimes, concert bass drum, tubas, baritones, violins, violas, cellos, string basses, various woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, and digital pianos and keyboards.

The 13 weighted Yamaha digital pianos and keyboards, acquired from Solich Pianos, are now in our four elementary schools, two middle schools, and at BHHS to further advance music in the classroom and on the stage. Teachers also received hands-on training from a Yamaha specialist. The pianos can link to smart boards via wifi, and are portable for easy use at concerts, assemblies, musicals, and talent shows. Teachers and students are now interacting in class with these pianos like never before. Mandy Oberst, music teacher at Way Elementary School, said, “With the new digital piano, I can finally see my students while playing, explore timbre in creative ways, and let them preview the sound of their own compositions.” Teachers are also thrilled with the accessibility of these pianos, and how easily they can move around the classroom and to other spaces.

The students using the new band and orchestra instruments are just as excited. When interviewed, student smiles were evidence of their pride in playing the new equipment. Some of them were enthralled by the bright and shiny newness, while others appreciated more technical aspects.

Asher Kaluzny (grade 8, SHMS) encouraged his friend Josh Rodner (grade 8, SHMS) to play the tuba in 6th grade, who’d previously been playing trumpet. Beaming from behind their new tubas, they said, “They look a lot nicer and the valves don’t stick! The sound is better and it’s easier to play different notes.”
Avi Bagdade (grade 8, SHMS), who has played baritone since 5th grade, and is looking forward to marching band next year, added, “It’s more sleek, and the new one has a 4th valve.”
Sophie Thomas (grade 7, SHMS) who has been playing cello since 5th grade, said the new one sounds cleaner, and it’s easier and smoother to play.
Gerry Socha (grade 10, BHHS) is part of the drumline, which was completely replaced. He stated, “We all love the new equipment; all the new drums are super nice and all the cymbals [players] say they have a lot better sound than our old ones. The new quads are a lot heavier but it helps make a bigger and more impactful sound on the field. The bass drummers have all been saying how much nicer and more durable they are. Our old ones were falling apart. We're all very grateful for the new equipment and it has been a well needed upgrade to the drumline and our marching band as a whole.”
Cellist Solomon Palmer (grade 8, NHMS) said, “It sounds amazing. Most of the others had something wrong with them, like a crack. It feels good to play a new instrument.”
Margaret Wong (grade 8, NHMS) has been playing violin since 5th grade. She is happy to have received a new violin this year because “it’s more my size.”
Lilia Blowers (grade 8, NHMS) had a lot to say about her new cello. “This is a Sebastian, which is a really good brand; it’s like the one I have at home. It’s lighter, and the strings sound great. It tunes really well and stays in tune for a longer time than the older ones, which would slip out of tune faster.”

While some instruments have been totally replaced, others still have life left to them. Several have been redistributed within BHS for other students to use, while others have been sent to The Greenhorn Project through McCourts's Music store. The Greenhorn Project makes it possible for districts to exchange or receive money for their unwanted instruments. They then refurbish and recycle the horns to get them into programs that need them.

With all the new equipment, there is sure to be a revived buzz this year for all BHS performances. We look forward to seeing you there!

Fall 2025 Performances

November 10, 7th grade premiere choir concert, 7 p.m., SHMS
November 11, 8th grade choir "Unsung Heros", 7 p.m., SHMS
November 12, 8th grade premiere band & orchestra concert, 7 p.m., NHMS
November 12, 7th & 8th grade band premiere concert, 7 p.m., SHMS
November 12, Fall musical complimentary show for veterans, "The Hello Girls", 10:15 a.m., BHHS
November 13, Fall musical- The Hello Girls, 7 p.m., BHHS
November 13, 7th & 8th grade orchestra premiere concert, 7 p.m., SHMS
November 14, Fall musical- The Hello Girls, 7 p.m., BHHS
November 15, Fall musical- The Hello Girls, 2 p.m., BHHS
November 18, 7th grade premiere band & orchestra concert, 7 p.m., NHMS
November 24, 2nd grade concert, 6:30 p.m., Eastover Elementary
December 4, Fall Play 1 performance, 7 p.m., SHMS
December 5, NHMS & SHMS Choir at Greenfield Village Caroling, 5:30 p.m., Greenfield Village
December 9, Collage concert, 7 p.m., BHHS
December 10, Collage concert, 7 p.m., BHHS
December 11, 2nd grade performance, 6:30 p.m., Way Elementary
December 12-14, Chorale & Jills, DSO
December 13-14, Michigan Theatre Festival, Lansing
December 15, 6th grade premiere choir concert, 7 p.m., SHMS
December 16, 6th grade band/orchestra concert, 7 p.m., NHMS
December 16, 6th grade band premiere concert w/ jazz band and HS jazz combo, 7 p.m., SHMS
December 17, 6th grade orchestra premiere concert w/ honors orchestra and HS orchestra combo, 7 p.m., SHMS
December 17, 6th grade choir concert, 7 p.m., NHMS
December 18, 7th & 8th grade choir concert, 7 p.m., NHMS