Business Details
Your Trusted Music Store in Albany, NY
John Keal Music has been dedicated to fostering musical growth for over 95 years. Our locally owned and operated stores in the Capital District provide comprehensive solutions for students, educators, and musicians. Specializing in band and orchestra instrument rentals, we offer affordable rent-to-own programs that have supported generations of musicians. Our services extend beyond rentals to include instrument repairs, lesson books, and a wide range of music supplies. We prioritize convenience through weekly school deliveries for rentals, exchanges, and repairs, ensuring accessibility across Upstate NY and Western New England. Our commitment to quality is evident in our selection of name-brand, teacher-approved instruments and our rigorous cleaning and sanitization standards.With three locations in Albany, Clifton Park, and Schenectady, we provide personalized support through experienced team members who understand local musical needs. Our online platform streamlines rentals, payments, and resource access, making it easier for customers to engage with our services. We emphasize transparency, allowing customers to return instruments at any time with no obligation. Our legacy of trust and expertise continues to make us a cornerstone for music education and accessibility in the community.
Services
Instrument Rentals
Instrument Repairs
Lesson Books
Step-Up Sales
Pre-Owned Instruments
Highlights and features
- We offer instrument rentals with payments that apply toward purchase.
- Our team provides weekly school deliveries for rentals and repairs.
- We guarantee only name-brand, teacher-approved instruments for rentals.
- Customers can return instruments at any time with no obligation.
- We maintain rigorous instrument sanitization standards for safety.
Services
Instrument Rentals
Our month-to-month instrument rentals allow payments to apply toward purchase. Free school delivery and curbside pickup options are available. Customers may return instruments anytime with no obligation.
Instrument Repairs
Eric, our instrument repair specialist, provides expert maintenance and restoration services. We handle repairs for all rental and owned instruments, ensuring optimal performance and longevity for students and professionals.
Step-Up Instrument Sales
We offer step-up instruments for advancing students and professionals. Our curated selection features high-quality, teacher-approved options with expert guidance to ensure proper fit for each musician's needs.
Music Lesson Books
Our extensive collection includes essential lesson books, reeds, and accessories for all instruments. Customers can shop by school to find teacher-recommended materials tailored to their curriculum.
Pre-Owned Instruments
Our pre-owned instrument sales feature thoroughly inspected, high-quality instruments at accessible prices. Each instrument undergoes our strict cleaning and sanitization process before becoming available for purchase.
People
Declan
Albany Store Manager
Declan oversees daily operations at our Albany location. With extensive experience in music education, he ensures customers receive expert guidance for rentals, purchases, and school program support.
Robin
Clifton Park Store Manager
Robin manages our Clifton Park store with a focus on customer service excellence. She specializes in matching students with appropriate instruments and supporting educators in the Capital District.
Mark
Schenectady Store Manager
Mark leads operations at our Schenectady location. He coordinates with Proctor's Arcade to maintain flexible service hours while providing personalized instrument guidance for local music students.
Eric
Instrument Repairs
Eric specializes in instrument maintenance and restoration. His expertise ensures all rental and customer-owned instruments receive thorough, professional repair services to maintain optimal performance.
Cassi
Office Manager
Cassi manages administrative operations with a focus on customer account support. She oversees rental agreements, payment processing, and customer communications across all three store locations.
Questions
How do I start renting an instrument?
Begin by visiting our online rental portal. Select your student's school district, teacher, and preferred instrument, then complete the easy checkout process with online payment options.
Can I return rental instruments at any time?
Yes, all rentals have no obligation. You may return instruments at any time by contacting our customer service team at 518-482-4405.
Do you deliver instruments to schools?
We provide weekly school deliveries for rentals, exchanges, repairs, and supply needs. This service is available throughout Upstate NY and Western New England.
What quality standards apply to your instruments?
We only offer name-brand, teacher-approved instruments that meet our strict cleaning and sanitization protocols. Each instrument undergoes thorough inspection before rental or sale.
Do payments apply toward purchase?
Yes, all rental payments apply directly toward the purchase price of the instrument, making it easy to transition from rental to ownership.
What resources are available for music teachers?
We provide printable trip-savers, instrument size charts, tuning guides, and customizable rental agreements specifically designed for music educators.
Videos
Reviews (6)
Nicholas Saulpaugh
Jun 21, 2022
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Super nice and easy to talk to. Couldn't do my repair asap so they recommended another gentleman. Will be back with other instruments definitely.
Brigitte Nilson
May 29, 2022
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What a great place for all your musical needs. Service and prices are excellent. Found the exact acoustic guitar that I was searching for. And their assortment of ukuleles are incredible!
Michael Burick
Dec 27, 2021
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Been involved with them forever getting trumpet cleaned or repaired if necessary. Also pickup music. Very good.
Giles Hershey
Apr 22, 2021
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They are always helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable! Far better then a big box music/instrument shop. They have been a great assistance when it comes to nurturing and developing my kids' love of/for music.
Deborah Schultz
Jan 10, 2021
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I sold them a clarinet about a year or so ago, they swore to me was worth only $50.00. It was barely used, in it's original case and I later found out was worth about $300.00 or more. I was completely disgusted with them for ripping me off!
Christopher Messina
Jan 07, 2020
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Great company to rent an instrument from. The rental fee also acts as credit if you want to purchase some day, and they replace the instruments if something happens, like if a bow for a orchestral instrument breaks they just take the old one and give you a new one. They even deliver to many schools if you are renting for a your kids music lesson at school.
