Trumpet Suggestion?

Hi, and as you could probably tell by the title, I need a suggestion regarding trumpets. I have played the same trumpet for 6 years now, and am in my high school's marching band for the 2nd year. It's not that my current trumpet is trash, but it isn't exactly what you would call pitch-perfect, either. It is getting progressively harder to tune, and even when it's tuned, the pitch is very loosely guided by my mouth and tongue movements, which it should be. My brand of trumpet isn't well known at all, and even my section officer(not section leader; section leaders = seniors, our officers are all college graduates), and my officer happens to have played in the very well-known DCI band Phantom Regiment. Even he admits that my trumpet basically sucks compared to what my talents will let me do on a higher quality trumpet.
By the way, no, it is nothing to do with my mouthpiece. I have played on a 5C, 3C, and a 10 1/2. While I perform best on my 3C, being that I can "scream" relatively well on it, I still can pick up one of my fellow band members' horns and play exceptionally more elegantly.
My current trumpet goes by the brand name of Spirit(by LeBlanc). I got it from a local store known by the name of Prof Erny's. May I remind you that this was way back when I was in 5th grade; I wanted to go to the much better of the two local music stores, Lafayette Music, and buy a good-quality Yamaha trumpet, but my parents, based on a lousy tip from my grandpa, went out on a limb and bought me a lower grade, cheaper, and overall crap of a trumpet at Prof Erny's.
I understand if they were unsure whether or not I would stay in band, so they bought me one that would not be a major downturn if I had decided to quit, but after my 3rd year of band, and my 1st year of marching band, you think they would have figured out that I loved band with a passion, and would not quit, right? Wrong, apparently, as I have yet to get a higher quality trumpet.
Since I had been born, my great grandparents had been giving me a $100 bond for each of my birthdays for college. Though, being as I am an extraordinarily intelligent prodigy, I figure that, having already applied for TAPS(a college intuition program), and several scholarships that I have already earned, that I should be able to spend some of those bonds, but still use it to some effect towards college. I aim to go to UL(University of Lafayette) an, along with my major and other studies, minor in musical arts, which includes being in the university's marching band. What better way to use those bonds for something that could strongly benefit me both now and in the future? But no, my parents, for what ever reason, don't see it that way, and refuse to cash out the bonds.
I understand where they're coming from, not wanting to take away the only money I have in the bank incase I don't get enough scholarships to pay for my own tuition, but at the same time, I strongly feel that it should solely be my final decision. As being a mature, growing, young adult, I feel that I should be able to take a risk and shape my future starting now. After all, it would be my own risk, not my parents'.
So, finally, the thing I need suggestions for, based on a few guidelines...
1. Polished Silver, not very unlike this http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...pet_Silver.jpg

2. Well known, very decent - expert brand, such as Yamaha, King, etc.

3. Price 1,000-1,500 American Dollars

4. Not something that I would have to look on the internet for, but instead, something that would be at a local musical store

Thanks for your time and opinions .

get a custom made martin committee trumpet, like this one:

All my trumpet friends suggest that the upper level Bachs are the way to go unless you're playing in a professional symphony or playing lead in a jazz band.

I agree with the Bach suggestion. Those were really good in high school. I didn't play trumpet but did play baritone and noticed the Bach brass instruments were easier to deal with than the other brands.

This belongs in Music and Musicians.

dang bro, I don't remember anything about trumpets even though I played for like 3 years.

(I'm a cellist now)

If, for some reason, the buying a new trumpet thing doesn't work out, find a well respected trumpet repairman in your area. He can take a look at your current one and see if it can't be tweaked to get a significantly better sound and feel out of it.

I'm not sure how fickle trumpets are compared to cellos, but if the bridge on my cello is even a fraction of an inch the wrong way the difference is HUGE.

So yea, don't discard that option either.

oh, and I played a coronet which is like a small trumpet I guess.

Or I could get my dad online lol. He played baritone up through college and still plays.

One more thing: When you actually go to buy a trumpet, try to find a place where you can play a bunch. Don't just go to Woodwind and Brasswind and buy one and expect it to play great. Test a lot of them, and test them on your mouthpiece. And once you've decided on a model, try three or four instruments of that model, so you can make sure you get exactly the right horn.

Future, the Martins are rightfully hard to find, so I doubt I'll be able to get one for a decent price.

Cookie, I was, indeed, first chair in Jazz band last year. I know just how well Bachs play, as I used a friend's several times. They're incredible. I've been considering one for a while now.
Devia, Mike[my section leader], is very respected for his experience with trumpets; he basically knows them inside and out. If asked, he will say the same thing as I am saying. My band director and a senior trumpet player from two years ago, who is simply amazing on the trumpet, will also agree. It's not the condition - it's my trumpet's brand. It was made for extremely casual use, and is pretty low quality.

Radek, sorry for posting it in the wrong section. Thanks for moving it its rightful area.

Cookie[second message], Lafayette Music, the store where I am planning to buy my trumpet from, is musician-friendly, and lets all of their customers try out their instruments before they make their final purchase.

Recently, I have learned that Lafayette Music gives a 20% discount to band directors and their students. I have half a mind to buy a Yamaha Xeno, which are legendary for their quality, sound, pitch, tone, slickness, and, even, their looks.
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/...42&CTID=241900
The one question I have is if they are worth their hefty price, and if they come in silver.
My decision is not final, and if you have any opinions worth considering, please make them known!