God's Blessings

In my most recent post, I made mention of the fact that I’ve been working 40-50+ hours a week. While I haven’t been in school, I’ve been in a bit of a quandry. As many of you that read this blog know, I am a Music Education major with my proficiency on bassoon (and I even look kind of like my instrument…or so I’m told). For the 4 1/2 years that I’ve been playing bassoon, I have been using the school’s instrument. However, now that I’m not a student, I haven’t been able to practice (part of it is school policy- completely understandable- and part of it is practicality; you can’t have two people playing the same instrument- it just isn’t sanitary!). So, with the hard earned money that I’ve been making, I decided that it was better I try to get my own instrument now, rather than after I’ve finished school. After much searching, I found the answer to my problem right underneath my nose, almost. Where I could not work something out with companies like Woodwinds and Brasswinds and other music companies that sell bassoons to do a rent-to-own on the instrument as I don’t have a credit card or the full amount of the selling price (this was mainly due to the rarity of orders placed on the instrument; unlike saxophones, trumpets, flutes, and clarinets, it’s not every day that someone orders a bassoon), White House of Music was willing to work a deal with me where I could go on their Pro-Lease plan (a rent-to-own program where a student can rent a professional level instrument while making monthly payments on the instrument). Because of the nature of the instrument, I was asked to put a $1,300 down payment on the bassoon before they could order it. Two weeks after we had talked about it, I had the money for them (and enough to continue covering my own expenses). For the last month, though, it was a struggle to decide which bassoon I actually wanted to go with. Once I was able to talk to my teacher about it, the answer became simple. So, two weeks ago, I placed the order. I wasn’t supposed to get the bassoon until January. However, Friday, White House of Music gave me a call and told me that they had the bassoon for me, ready to go; all I had to do was come in and fill out the paper work. What you see below is a bassoon that is worth $9,100 (list price). I’m getting it for $5,800. ISN’T GOD GOOD?! If I had been in school, I am convinced I would’ve never been able to own an instrument like this. It is a Fox Renard 220, and after having played on it since Sunday, I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking to get a nice bassoon. Well, here’s some pictures of it. Amazing how I took for granted the ability to practice. Enjoy sharing with me in God’s blessing!