Here are the big things to consider without getting into all of the details..
1. The amount of money you get for your first instrument purchase will never happen again. Ask for everything you will possibly need. If they want a pep band, get a full set of marching instruments too. Make sure you get things like marimba, timpani, gong, and the other somewhat expensive percussion equipment.
Buy stuff that’s going to last you for the next 20 years. The vast majority of the equipment I bought that school is still there in use today and is still in great shape.
2. Don’t forget to ask for about $3000-5000 to buy a library. You don’t need 600 pieces at the beginning, but you need a solo and ensemble library and you need about 5 to 10 grade one and grade 2 pieces and some playable marches, holiday music, and some fun stuff to play for your spring concert.
3. Make sure they get you all of the furniture you need. They forgot to buy stands for me - they told me it was fully furnished and ready to go, and my first day there I asked where the music stands were.
4. Where is your class going to meet? If there isn’t an actual band Hall worthy of its name, where are you going to store your equipment?
5. They also won’t consider transportation of your equipment. It’s not enough to have music stands, you need racks for them as well. Same with chairs. Do not let them buy a single thing from public seating corporation, it’s universally awful.
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