The South Orangetown Central School District provides instrumental music lessons, at no cost to families, for students starting in grade 3. Cottage Lane Elementary School registration period opens each May for the upcoming school year. Historically 75-80% of incoming third-graders enroll in free lessons, which are held during the school day for third-graders and primarily before school for fourth- and fifth-graders. Students may learn an instrument and/or sing in chorus.

To register, please click on the link corresponding to your child’s grade level. If you have multiple children registering for instrumental music lessons, please complete a separate registration for each child. Registrants will be asked to provide their top three choices for instrument assignments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Instruments are Taught at CLE?

Instrumental music lessons are offered for Alto Sax, Baritone, Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Flute, French Horn, Oboe, Percussion, String Bass, Trombone, Trumpet, Viola and Violin.

How Do Students Obtain Instruments?

Families must provide instruments for their children. Families whose children need financial assistance for instrumental music in order to participate should contact the CLE Main Office.

All instruments rented from vendors should be clearly identified with the student’s name. 

Music and Arts
Rental Pricing
240 N. Route NJ-17
Paramus, NJ 07652
Phone: (201) 265-1860

185 E. Ridgewood Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone: (201) 444-4798 x137

Interstate Shop Center
Ramsey, NJ 07446
Phone: (201) 327-2853

Eduardo Echeverria (violin, viola & cello only)
12 Oakwood Rd.
Bardonia, NY 10954
Phone: (845) 627-1844

Beau Monde
285 Livingston Street
Northvale, NJ 07647
Phone: (201) 660–7844

You can rent from any local music shop as well.

What Size Instrument Does My Child Need?

Third grade: Quarter size (Half size if they are on the taller side) (Violin, Viola, Cello)
Fourth grade: Half size (Violin, Viola, Cello)
Fifth grade: Half size or Three-quarter size (Violin, Viola, Cello)
Bass players in third grade should rent an eighth size. Fourth and fifth graders should rent a one-quarter size.

What Else Should We Consider When Selecting an Instrument?

Students will need to transport their instruments to school on their practice day, which is once in a six-day cycle. Larger instruments are not permitted on the bus and parents must provide transportation on lesson days. If your child plays the string bass, they will not have to transport to school on lesson days; CLE has the instrument on-site.

How Do I Return Rented Instruments?

If you have rented an instrument from Music & Arts, or their subsidiaries (ex: Beau Monde), you may keep your instruments over the summer, without charge if you contact Music & Arts and arrange to rent your instrument for the upcoming school year by June 30. Otherwise, you must call them to get an ID# for return.

Instruments from other vendors can be brought to CLE if they agree to pick up at the school. Otherwise you should return your instrument directly to the vendor. Do not assume that your vendor will pick up instruments from CLE unless you have confirmed with them.

All instruments rented from vendors should be clearly identified with the student’s name when dropped off at CLE for return.