The Flute Artisan

Press Release July 2011

2011-08-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

“We’ll now get to be a hundred years old”
David Pirtle – President and CEO of Gemeinhardt

Looking ahead a little, June 25th 2011 will be seen as a significant date in the history of the famous Gemeinhardt Flute Company. Established in 1948 by Kurt Gemeinhardt a fourth generation flute maker, the world famous brand name has, since 1993, been under the ownership of investment banks. The past few years however have seen a much closer working relationship develop between Gemeinhardt’s management and their major supplier, Angel Industries Co. Ltd in Taiwan – widely acknowledged as the premier manufacturer of woodwind musical instruments. This has enabled recent significant growth in Gemeinhardt flute sales along with increasing dealer demand to extend the Gemeinhardt brand name in to other areas of woodwind instrument manufacturing.

We are therefore delighted to inform you that on the 25th June 2011, all the assets of Gemeinhardt Company and manufacturing facility in Elkhart, Indiana have been acquired by Angel Industries, who will continue to work closely with Gemeinhardt’s experienced management and workforce to drive the company forward with confidence.

This acquisition restores stability to the Gemeinhardt Company and provides confidence and investment for future product developments as well as bringing benefits to both US and International markets to generate significant new business and revenue opportunities. The combination of the Gemeinhardt and Angel manufacturing facilities will offer unrivalled growth potential and will extend the opportunities for the Gemeinhardt world class ‘USA’ brand to reach a wider global audience - Gemeinhardt’s future now rests safely again in the capable and experienced hands of musical industry manufacturing partners.

President and CEO of Gemeinhardt Dave Pirtle comments “we have been working for this day for the past few months with the goal of introducing these new arrangements seamlessly and thus ensure continuity for our manufacturing, staff, customers and suppliers. This really is great news for Gemeinhardt; I’ve been here for over 29 years and at last can feel that this totally secures our future!”

Speaking on behalf of Angel Industries, Frank Yang commented, “It became obvious some time ago that Gemeinhardt and Angel could be a good fit together. Gemeinhardt customers demand the highest quality and we are delighted to be able to meet this challenge for many years to come”.

The history of the music industry is littered with many stories, some happy and some not so. Just once in while an event takes place which positively transforms the face and future of a brand name. The 25th of June 2011 could just be the date which ensures that the Gemeinhardt brand will still be enjoyed by musicians for generations to come. Kurt would be proud!

NFA convention 2011 Charlotte NC

2011-08-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

What an amazing week in Charlotte! The excitement was in the air right from the beginning for us at Gemeinhardt! Ali Ryerson started the convention off on the right foot by hosting the Gemeinhardt/Brio! Showcase. She showed off her new Ali Ryerson Autograph series Brio! flute, by performing selections from her 2011 NFA release of her new CD "Con Brio!"

Greg Pattillo at the same time, was busy with the High School soloist competition, as his composition "Three Beats for Beatbox Flute" was commissioned by the NFA to be included in the competition repertoire.

Nan Raphael, Roy Seaman clinician, performed for the opening concert with the Queen City Flute Orchestra.

Dr. Christine Erlander Beard, Roy Seaman artist and clinician performed on flute in concert celebrating Jean-Michel Damase.

Ali continued to be busy with the Jazz Flute Big Band reading, and Gala concert, and late night jazz cabaret Saturday night!

Along with all of this, each of these amazing people devoted much time at the Gemeinhardt booth creating all kinds of hype for the new instruments throughout the Gemeinhardt, Brio!, and Roy Seaman lines.

We generated quite a renewed enthusiasm with our dealers in attendance and with students, educators, and artists for our Gemeinhardt instruments! Amazing convention!
Please check out our Facebook page for photos from the convention.

We have many exciting events and news coming up! So Stay posted!!

In photos: cutest little Gemeinhardt girl ever!
Greg Pattillo discussing beatboxing with Cady Coleman
Ali Ryerson, Astronaut Cady Coleman (who happens to love her Gemeinhardt flute!), and Dave Pirtle

NASMD

2011-04-11T11:06:00.000-07:00

National Association of School Music Dealers held their annual convention the end of March. We were proud to be a platinum sponsor this year for this event, as we continue to give our support to a crucial group of music dealers who are dedicated to supporting music education and blossoming musicians. In the next couple of days I will post some photos and videos of the event. We were proud to have Stephanhouser and Brio artists for Gemeinhardt performing some great jazz for the Gemeinhardt sponsored breakfast which has been a tradition at this event for years. Ali Ryerson, jazz musician, recording artist, and jazz chair for the National Flute Association played on the New Generation Gemeinhardt 3sb and Shawn "Thunder" Wallace professor of jazz at Ohio State University, and recording artist played on his Stephanhouser sax.
It was an amazing week of continuing to build our relationships and friendships with a terrific group of people who do so much for their communities all over the U.S. and Canada!

New Gems for the New Gen

2011-04-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

We at Gemeinhardt have been busy gearing up for all the new and exciting things going on here. We have introduced new models, we are reintroducing an important artist and clinician for us and how she will be involved more intimately with our company, and we are working on a newly refreshed website. Our New Generation headjoint and flutes are continuing to gain more and more popularity all though just introduced in the last couple of months. Our new Roy Seaman piccolo also continues to impress even the most exacting musicians and craftsperson. I Just received a note from Phil Unger of Flute Center of New York, he "Loves the new Roy Seaman Storm piccolo!". Keep checking back, we have many exciting announcements coming in the next several months.....

Roy Seaman Piccolos

2011-02-02T14:11:00.000-08:00

Brio Piccolos

2011-02-02T14:09:00.000-08:00

New Generation 3SB and New modified lip headjoint

2011-02-02T14:01:00.000-08:00

Gemeinhardt Student Woodwinds

2011-02-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

Roy Seaman Piccolos

2011-02-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

WOW, lots to talk about!

2011-02-02T11:24:00.000-08:00

So, the blog is back in action! Gemeinhardt has gone through quite the growing pains in the last year, and we have come out of it with flyng colors!! Gemeinhardt was not immune from the challenges facing the US economy; but now with a new president, comes a new vision. We have refocused from the idea of the Gemstone umbrella and have emerged with a new vibrant look back to our roots. Gemeinhardt is the iconic household name and Gemeinhardt is what we will remain.

Incredibly in the last year we have introduced several new products, including the new Gemeinhardt clarinet and saxophone. In the flute line we introduced the new Roy Seaman STORM piccolo and the new wave piccolo headjoint, the New Generation 3SB flute, and the New Generation modified lip flute head joint. We introduced these new woodwinds at the Midwest Band and Orchestra convention in Chicago, NAMM convention in January, and now onto state music educator shows, and flute shows. We have had incredible reactions from students, teachers, and professional artists alike. Our new flute and piccolo are like nothing Gemeinhardt has ever had before!

Please keep a steady eye on this blog, as I will continue to inform of the continued metamorphisis of this music industry icon known as Gemeinhardt.

A Glimpse of NFA in NYC

2009-09-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

Bright Flutes, Big City

2009-09-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

NFA! What an incredible experience! With an unbelievable list of performers this year,including Sir James Galway receiving the lifetime achievement award, and the world record breaking event for the largest flute ensemble directed by Galway it was quite an overwhelming and exciting weekend to be a part of. Over 4,000 people (attendees and exhibitors) attended NFA this year, which was a record number itself. From my experience as an exhibitor I felt like nearly all 4,000 people stopped by the booth. It was an unbelievable crowd! We had much excitement going on at the Gemeinhardt booths. Our Sankyo artist Ali Ryerson (also conductor of the Jazz Flute Big Band) stopped by daily to sign her new book "The Jazz Flute Practice Method". Greg Pattillo the famous beatboxer, who is our Brio artist dropped by each day as well to chat with and play for his fans. It was also wonderful to see our Roy Seaman piccolo artist Dr. Christi Beard invited by Trevor Wye to perform in the Tallis Motet arranged by Wye. And Debi Vogt, a devoted clinician and family member of the Gemeinhardt clan, who is a prominant private flute instructor in Tulsa was also there to help us out. She also shared some excitement with me as we had a little photo shoot and chat with James Galway. We truly had a great time! Be sure to check out my video for a few highlights from NFA!

NFA in NYC 2009 is quickly approaching!

2009-08-07T05:56:00.000-07:00

Make sure to stop by our booth and say hello! Our booth numbers are 149,150,151: Gemeinhardt,Brio, Trevor James, and Sankyo Flutes. We have amazing artists stopping by our exhibit throughout the weekend. Ali Ryerson, director of the Jazz Flute Big Band, will be selling signed copies of her new book. Greg Patillo the incredible beatboxing flutist will be hanging around to entertain us, Christie Beard, accomplished professor and piccoloist, and Debi Vogt, wonderfully talented flutist and private instructor will all be stopping by our booth. Don't forget to try out our new Brio! piccolos! We will also have on display Sankyo's cylindrical silver piccolos. They are beautiful! Be sure to check out my blog after NFA for some great stories, videos, and photographs! It should be a wonderful time in the Big Apple!

Greg Patillo and the new Brio! Piccolo

2009-06-19T12:48:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Baunoch-Crowell

2009-06-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

Jennifer is the marketing director and flute specialist for the Gemeinhardt Company. Our instrument lines include Gemeinhardt flutes and piccolos, Roy Seaman piccolos, Brio! flutes and piccolos, Gemeinhardt clarinets and saxophones, W. Nirschl brass by Gemeinhardt, and Artisan strings.

In her 25 years as a flutist, she was the drum major for marching band, performed with the jazz band, and was awarded performance and outstanding musician awards throughout high school. In college, she was awarded a scholarship for flute performance at DePaul University where she studied with Mary Stolper and Mary Hickey. She also had the great opportunity to attend several master classes by Donald Peck (former principle flutist for the Chicago Symphony) and James Galway. Through the years she has performed in ensembles and as a soloist at many community venues and also had the great privilage of performing at Carnegie Hall which included her in a featured trio performing Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major.

For the last 17 years, she has been employed at several world-renowned flute and piccolo manufacturing facilities; learning from the finest artisans the music industry has to offer. She began testing, building, and repairing; as well as supervising departments of manufacturing. Her involvement also included consulting in the development of new and existing head joints, flutes and piccolos.
“I believe I bring a unique aspect to the world of flutes and piccolos. My background as a flutist, and my years “on the bench” testing and repairing, have brought me to an appreciation and understanding of the technician and musician. I hope to continue building the bridge between the artists on either side of the flute, in order to further the development of high quality instruments which will exceed the expectations of both the makers of flutes and the makers of music”