Working to make a bard for the College of Swords. Some magic items I see for the bard are instrument or music related. Any suggestions for a bard in this college, including attunement items?

Dancing Sword (rapier). I replaced a Dancing longsword in Shadow of the Dragon Queen for our Sword Bard. 

If you are really into melee and any rarity is available, how about:

All chromatic dragon masks together for AC boost, resistances and some cool bonuses

Hand of Vekna for more spells and melee damage https://100001****/  https://1921681254.mx/ 

Cloak of displacement. Giving enemies disadvantage to hit is pretty strong on any level

Rythm makers drum +3 

Can it be used as a spellcasting focus for the bard?

Yes it also  gives additional bardic inspiration and increases spell atk and save dc by 3 as well.itds from Tashas caldron of everything I think.