UPDATE: I've had this for 4 1/2 years now, and it's held up great. Unfortunately, one of the rings has been bent out of shape and no matter what I do I can't get it back – I looked around, but I've decided to get the same exact one because it's worked so well. It's held up to a lot of use and beatings, has held SOOO much music in both the binder portion and the pockets, and it still looks just as good as when I got it. The only mark is from when one of my cats tried to chomp a corner. I am now the president on the board of directors for my choir, and I include a link to this exact folder in our singer's guide – it's a fantastic product!
ORIGINAL: I ordered this music holder last spring, about a month prior to our Spring concert and additional performance of "Messiah". I've used a lot of different binders, folders, and music holders in my lifetime, and I'm fairly impressed with this one so far.
Yes, it's "fake" leather – but you can hardly tell the difference, and the audience certainly can't. It has held a large amount of music with no problem or awkwardness, and it makes things a breeze when you're in a cramped space and it's difficult to move around a lot. The pencil holder works great (never gonna lose that thing again!), and the hand strap fits nicely. Bonus is a name card slot on the front of one of the pockets. I'm diabetic, and have slipped in my emergency information and noted that I am diabetic in case anything were to happen to me. I feel better knowing it's there.
I fear that if I abuse it at all, like swinging it around by the strap, or throwing it every which way in my car or at home, it might not hold up to the beating. People have mentioned the strap coming off or it appearing flimsy – if you take care of your things, then you don't have to worry about it! I intend on using it for both rehearsal AND performance – so I know that if I want it to look nice, then that is up to me.
I looked at a lot of different holders before purchasing, and this seemed like the best value – and it certainly has held up so far. I'll update if anything happens to it by our next spring concert – but I doubt it!