Trevor Head: Training in Musical Instrument Repair

Courses: 2018

Brass and woodwind repair courses planned for 2018

General information and suitability of courses

All of ourcourses are suitable for those wishing to embark on a career inmusical instrument repair. Extremely ‘hands on’, these courses are highly recommended by NAMIR (National Association of Musical Instrument Repairers) and the trade in general. Enthusiastic amateurs may also find the courses extremely useful and rewarding. Past students are welcome to repeat a course.A great deal of experience and skill is required to achieve the status of a professional musical instrument repairer, and these courses are your first step.

Foundation courses (Complete beginners welcome)

These are comprehensive professional courses, available in the specialisms of brass and woodwind instrument repair. The courses are suitable for those with little or no previous repairing experience. You will be shown detailed repair techniques and maintenance procedures, particular emphasis being paid to the most common problems encountered. You will receive tutor guidance and support throughout the course.

Six day woodwind foundation courses

You will notice on inspection of the schedule that some woodwind foundation courses are of six days’ duration. These courses are more rigidly structured than the five day course, and tend to proceed at a slightly slower pace. Hence the extra day in order to cover the scheduled course material.

Five day woodwind foundation courses

The five day course is ideal for those candidates who prefer to work at their own pace, and is a little more flexible in terms of the instruments you can work on and the repairs that you wish to tackle.

Both five and six day courses will equip you with the skills necessary to carry out maintenance, and a range of repairs to woodwind instruments.

Entry requirements (Foundation courses)

There are no formal entry requirements. However you must have good hand/eye co-ordination, an enquiring mind and be a practical ‘hands on’ person.

Although not essential, some ability in playing an instrument in your chosen area will prove invaluable in ‘trouble shooting’ and checking an instrument after repair.

Professional development

Students completing a foundation course have the opportunity to return later to Llangunllo School to develop their skills further, by attending an advancedcourse in their chosen area.

Advanced courses (Three day courses)

You must have attended a foundation course, or gained appropriate experience elsewhere, in order to be eligible to attend an advancedcourse.

We recommendthat you practise the skills learned on your course, and allow a minimum of three months, between completing a foundation course and attending an advanced course.

You will develop your repair skills and confidence further by learning new and advanced repair techniques. You will see repairs through from initial fault diagnosis to carrying out the repairs and testing the instrument.

Courses are individually tailored to suit the needs of those attending. You will be able to discuss with your tutor the instruments and specific repairs that are of greatest interest to you.

Advancedwoodwind courses

You may choose either a general course or an instrument specific course.

On the general course you may choose which instruments to work on.

On the instrument specific course there is a more focussed approach on one instrument, or two closely related instruments (for example, saxophone and clarinet, or flute and piccolo.)

Lifelong learning

Ongoing learning, enhances a sense of personal satisfaction and pride in your work and achievements.

For this reason our advanced courses may be revisited at a later date in order to further broaden and develop your skills and experience.

We would hope to develop a professional relationship with you, and to continue to engage with your individual requirements, andhelp you to develop your sense of personal achievement and increasing expertise to a highly professional level.

National Association of musical instrument Repairers (NAMIR)

Many past students are now professional members of NAMIR and are running their own successful repair businesses.

‘Student’ NAMIR membership is an option for all students completing a foundation course. Professional membership is also available to suitably qualified candidates.

Full details will be available during the course.

Certificates of attendance:

The school awards its own certificates of attendance.

Tools and materials

All the tools and materials required for your course are provided by the school. If you have any repair tools of your own, you are welcome to bring them along.

Specialist materials such as saxophone pads and brass instrument valve springs will be charged extra for at cost.

Lunches and refreshments

Tea, coffee and soft drinks are provided free of charge.A two course lunch is available daily at a cost of £8.20. This includes a freshly cooked hot meal and a sweet. We are happy to cater for vegetarians.

Further Information

If you would like any further information please contact me, and I will do my best to answer your questions and advise you on the most suitable course for you.Course itineraries are available online or by request.

How to apply for a course

Firstof all, check that there is a place available on your chosen course.

You may email or telephone me for this information.See bottom of page for contact details.

A deposit for each course is required with all bookings.£300.00 for foundation courses and £150.00 for advanced courses.Payments can be made online or by cheque.

The balance of your course fee isdue one month before the start of the course.

Finally, send me your completed application formtogether with your deposit. This can be by post, or as an email attachment.

A blank application form can be found as a separate attachment, entitled: 2018 Course application form.Please request this if you don’t already have a copy.

Successful enrolment on a course

You will be considered to have secured your place on a courseonlywhen we have received and accepted your fullycompleted applicationform,together with thecorrect coursefeedeposit.

Once enrolled on your chosen course, you will be sent further course information. This will include your tutor’s contact details, a list of known local accommodation providers, and the date by which the balance of your course fees should be paid.(One month before the commencement of your course).

A list of brass and woodwind courses scheduled for 2018 can be viewed on the following pages.

Brass Instrument Repair Courses:

Brass repair (foundation) / March 26th to 30th / £682.00
Advanced brass repair techniques / June 18th to 20th
(3 days) / £472.00
Brass repair (foundation) / July 23rd to 27th / £682.00
Brass repair (foundation) / August 27th to 31st / £682.00
Advanced brass repair techniques / Oct 5th to 7th / £472.00
Brass repair (foundation) / Nov 12th to 16th / £682.00

WoodwindInstrument Repair Courses

Woodwind repair (foundation)
(5 days) / March 19th to 23rd / £682.00
Woodwind repair (foundation)
(6 days) / April 9th to 14th / £802.00
Woodwind repair (foundation)
(5 days) / May 14th to 18th / £682.00
Advanced woodwinds (general)
(3 days) / May 19th to 21st / £472.00
Woodwind repair (foundation)
(5 days) / June 11th to 15th / £682.00
Woodwind repair (foundation)
(6 days) / July 9th to 14th / £802.00
Flute and piccolo (advanced)
(3 days) / July 16th to 18th / £472.00
Woodwind repair (foundation)
(5 days) / August 6th to 10th / £682.00
Advanced woodwinds (general)
(3 days) / August 11th to 13th / £472.00
Woodwind repair (foundation)
(6 days) / Sept 3rd to 8th / £802.00
Advanced sax and clarinet
(3 days) / Sep 10th to 12th / £472.00
Woodwind repair (foundation)
(5 days) / Sept 24th to 28th / £682.00
Woodwind repair (foundation)
(5 days) / Oct 15th to 19th / £682.00
Woodwind repair (foundation)
(6 days) / Oct 29th to Nov 3rd / £802.00

Final Check List and Terms

Please read and note the followingbefore completing your application form

Check that a place is available on your chosen course

Submit a separate application form for each course applied for

A deposit for each course is required with your application form: (£300.00 foundation courses. £150.00 advanced courses)

Any outstanding balance of your course fee must be settled no later than one month before the start date of your course

Course fees including deposits, are not normally refundable or transferrable, unless a course is cancelled or re-scheduled by the school

We reserve the right to cancel or re-schedule a course

Course fees do not include the cost of accommodation and lunches

Details of local accommodation are available and will be sent to you, once you have returned your completed application form and deposit payment

You will be charged,(at cost) for certain materials and accessories used on a course

Any excess bank charges for overseas payments must be paid for on arrival at the school

Invoices will only be issued for the full course fee

The school, and all public areas surrounding it, including the playground/car park to the front of the building, are No Smokingareas

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Llangunllo School, Llangunllo, Knighton, Powys. LD7 1SR

Tel: 01547 550622 Mobile: 07971 083089

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