Going rate for Bulk Orchestra music?

[Eilif]

I'm looking to find out the value of a High school's collection of used orchestra music. The school is looking to get rid of it all at once, but has no idea what the value is. I'm just trying to help arrange a "buyer" for 300-500 pieces they have. It ranges from symphonies, to populars, to some pieces that are probably more appropriate for a middle school.

I can email a partial list to anyone who would be willing to look it over.

Also, if anyone has contacts with a school or group in Illinois or northwest Indiana that is looking to start an orchestra, or just acquire more music, that would be appreciated.

Thanks.

A bit more backstory for those who are interested:
On my lunch breaks from work, I'm helping the band director sort out the mountains of orchestra music that the school has. Three basses (only one playable), and the orchestra music are all that is left of the school's once proud orchestra program. It is suspected that the previous music director took all of the school's other 50 or so Violins, Violas, Cellos and Basses (apparently the school had 8 string basses at one time!), but no one can prove anything!

Now the school finds it'self in a "changing" neighborhood with no hope of -or interest in- ever having an orchestra again, with a band that needs some new drum heads and instruments, but has no way to pay for them. The school can't officially "sell" the music of course, but I am helping him sort out the music in the hopes that a "donor" can be found that would donate a significant amount to the band program and then would "recieve" the orchestral music.

[Stan Haskins]

That really sounds like an orchestra program that deserves "rebuilding" as opposed to "auctioning off".

In my experience, used school music is valueless in the marketplace. It would be better for the department to donate the materials to a non-profit (youth orchestra, for instance) or materials exchange. Another school district will not be allowed to purchase it legally using public funds. Is there a county music association (or state) that keeps a library? That's where the music belongs, and perhaps they could exchange for unused band equipment? The state ASTA chapter may be interested in it, as well.

Oh, and from the sound of it, something at least "unethical" is going on at the department level, if not "illegal". I would be wary of being too involved in this transaction, personally.

Didn't mean to get too negative, but as a school orchestra teacher myself, this post set off a red flag for me. I'm not in any way implying the OP is doing anything inappropriate.

Good luck!

[Eilif]

I respect your reservations and concerns. It's definitely a grey area. Of course I can't give all specifics, but based on my experiences with the school, I'm quite convinced that this school, like so many other inner city schools, will not have an orchestra again in the foreseeable future, and I'm all for helping them to keep their band program as viable as possible.