NAPBIRT

Don Banks was a band director who felt he could have more of an impact on music makers by providing them with quality instruments. In 1967 he opened Don Banks Music in Tampa, Florida to serve the local school bands. Over the years he expanded the store to include a full line of product offerings and repair service for all musicians. Don’s son, Mitchel, joined the company right out of school as did Don’s grandson.

Mitchel Banks has been working in the music store his father established as far back as he can remember. After serving as a band director, Don Banks formed his retail store in Tampa in 1967. Mitchel worked side by side with his father and took an active role in band instrument repair as well as using the ever-changing technology, such as the Internet, to benefit the business. Mitchel is also active in industry groups such as NAPBIRT, NAMM, NASMD and RPMDA.

Tom Getzen is president of the horn company his father established in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. The Getzen Company is world renowned for the hand-made products such as trumpets and trombones and has introduced several innovative improvements to the instruments over the years. Tom’s father also helped create the National Association of Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT), which for decades has sought to create standards in band instrument care and provide training classes and a monthly newsletter devoted to helping the repair techs. As president of Getzen, Tom has brought the company into the electronic age without compromising quality of products and still insists that hand-craftsmanship play a large role in each and every instrument. 

Don Getzen sure knows the history of the band instruments made in the mid-west! Don’s father was the plant manager for the Holton Company in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, his oldest uncle was the plant manager for the York Band Instrument Company in Michigan and at the same time his other uncle was the plant manager for the CG Conn Company in Elkhart, Indiana. In 1939 Don’s father formed the Getzen Company where he and his brother Bob worked growing up. Don later established DEG Musical in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for which he designed several innovative products, two of which he holds patents.  

Patrick Hiatt is among the leaders of band instrument repairmen in the industry. His work has spanned several decades and was vital in the formation of NAPBIRT, the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians. Pat served as president of the association beginning in 1979 and has since been involved in the growth and development of the programs and training sessions offered to repair techs around the world.
 

A. A. (Sid) La Grandeur was trained in band instrument repair in Elkhart, Indiana before returning to Santa Barbara, California where he opened his own shop. The repair shop soon became a retail store and La Grandeur Music was born. Sid hired a young man to train on repair, who later became a key element of the business. In fact, that young trainee was Nick Rail who has since opened his own retail company that now has seven stores throughout Southern California.
 

Scott Mandeville is a well regarded band instrument repairman who has developed into a noted teacher and expert, serving other repairman through his classes, sessions and writings for NAPBIRT (the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians). Scott is the owner of Tim’s Music in Sacramento, California, where he trains the store’s repairmen and runs the entire operation. Over the years he has been a devoted teacher, willing to help others in need of answers while repairing instruments. Scott served as president of NAPBIRT and continues to teach and write for the organization.

Fred Melk was born the year his father and grandfather (Philip Sr and Jr) opened a small instrument repair shop in Milwaukee, WI. The year was 1956. Fred’s father became one of the country’s foremost authorities on band instruments and repair. In the days before NAPBIRT and other organizations dedicated to the profession, many independent repairmen had little in the way of written materials and tools to assist them with their job. Phil Jr and years later Fred made many adjustments to existing tools, modifying them to fit their needs, or they would design and craft their own tools. Fred has carried on the tradition of the family’s involvement in instrument repairs as well as expanding the business to include the sales of musical instruments and products.

Fred Morgan was one of the few GI’s, returning home from World War II, who were accepted to the Conn School of Musical Instrument Repair the first year it started. The year was 1946 and Fred was excited to learn first hand at the factory from many of the craftsmen who built the instruments from the start. Although the school only ran for a few years it produced a large number of repairmen who set up their own shops all across the country. Fred’s Repair Shop is located north of Sacramento in Rocklin, California.
 

Bill Pritchard played in a military band while serving the United States for over 20 years. When he retired, he took up what he had loved to do during his service, repairing band instruments. Over the years Bill became an expert on various instruments and conducted classes at the annual NAPBIRT meetings where he would become a Life Time Member for his service towards fellow repairmen.