I think getting the equipments by themselves will be the best option for now, because they will be the one to know what is good for them, and this equipment have to do will quality in which is only the music department will know much about. If the equipment is not giving them the good quality of sound they want, they will be hold responsible for that, but if someone else get the equipment for them, they will have opportunity for excuses.

But they should provide evidence of purchase to the whole community.

This is just my own view.
#steeemjet