Band Instrument Repair is an art requiring great skill and patience to learn, as the intricacies are great. Repair schools require one or two years (studying fall through spring) for completion of coursework and competencies, and apprenticeships can last up to five years to achieve the level of confidence necessary for success. There are no correspondence courses available because learning requires hands-on practice and instruction.
Repair Services From Beacock Music and Education Center
- Regulation
- Adjustments
- Pad and cork replacements
- Dent removal
- Complete overhaul
- Rebuilding
- Restoration
- Acid bath
- Cleaning and polishing
- Custom parts fabrication
A Repair Department 2nd to None!
Repair school graduates are not experienced technicians. It is best to consider the repair school graduate as an “advanced apprentice”. It is reasonable to expect the graduate to be able to repair nearly any common problem, but it will be at significantly slower speed the experienced technician. The concentration of curriculum within the short training time at repair schools does not always allow for the repetition necessary to gain speed.
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Many repair technicians enter the craft having first-hand experience in either teaching or performing. A viable alternative music career, band instrument repair offers never ending opportunities to explore both the mechanics and acoustics of musical instruments.
Many successful technicians have been trained through apprenticeship, learning the craft from the beginning by working alongside a mentor at a repair shop. This method of attaining skills continues to be viable. At Beacock Music our technicians have over fifty years of combined experience. Our repair department is tops in the area
Top Row left to right: Rick Reiss, Gary Campbell, Jerry Porter
Middle Row left to right: Pam Shellenberger and Wendy Daugherty
Bottom Row left to right: Alex Anicker and Brandon Beatty
Rick Reiss is simply the best at what he does, according to his many customers! Since joining our staff in 2007, Rick has been an important member of our Service department.
A trained luthier, Rick studied at Redwing Tech in Minnesota, specializing in repairing and building guitars. He received a 4.0 grade point average, and was a tutor to his classmates. Rick has a philosophy:
“I offer my very best on every job, engage in good communication, complete work in a timely manner, and provide good reason for my customers to return.” He loves making music through craft or song, and truly has a passion for his work.
Gary Campbell joined our team in 1998, after graduating from repair school in 1990. He apprenticed with Gene Sands in Portland, Oregon, specializing in woodwind, brass, string and percussion repair.
A guitar player, Gary enjoys “music and everything having to do with music!” He wears many hats around here and can always be counted on to help his co-workers on any project!
Gary has been a member of National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair technicians (NAPBIRT) since 1991 and has attended many of their conventions to learn the newest and latest techniques in instrument repair.
Jerry Porter is one of the family! He has been our lead repair technician since 1988! After serving our country in the U.S Marines from 1960-1970 as a rifleman and squad leader, Jerry continued to serve his country by playing in the Army National Guard Band. He is a clarinetist and a classical guitarist.
Jerry’s reputation as a repair technician is second to none. Very well known for his woodwind expertise, he is the area’s most respected double reed technician.
Jerry is a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians. (NAPBIRT)
Pam Shellenberger received her early repair training at Western Iowa Tech with an emphasis on woodwind and brass instrument restoration. Her career spans 30 years, collaborating with many talented repair technicians in the Portland Metro area. Pam has an impressive list of clients ranging from new student players to members of the Woody Hite Big Band, Oregon Symphony and Portland Opera Orchestra. She believes there is always more to learn from working with her customers.
Pam served three years active duty in the Army Band, 18 years Reserve and Army National Guard. A trumpet and French horn player, she is currently playing with the Ad Hoc Brass Ensemble, and Classics a la Carte, a renaissance style chamber ensemble.
Pam has been a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Technicians since 1988.
Wendy joined the Beacock Music repair department in 2004. She received her repair training at the Institute of Metal Repair in San Diego, California, A saxophone player, Wendy studied baritone and alto sax at the University of California, San Diego. She received her BA in literature/writing while at that University.
Wendy has been a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians since 1986, and for three years worked as Managing Editor for TechniCom, the Association’s technical journal.
Wendy loves interacting with her customers, and is always willing to help them with her courteous and professional insight.
Alexander Anicker is the brass playing shop assistant for Beacock Music. Alex has been playing the Trombone since 5th grade and he considers Trombone to be his best instrument. He also can play the Tuba, Baritone/Euphonium, Trumpet, and is currently learning how to play the Frumpet (a horn that plays in the key of F and E flat).
He currently owns several instruments including a Trombone, Sousaphone, Trumpet, Bugle in G, Frumpet, and an Accordion.
