Verne Q. Powell was the kind of man who could melt his wife's silverware to make a flute—which he actually did in 1915. The professional flutist and self-taught flute maker, a native of Kansas, worked for the Wm. S. Haynes Company in Boston making wooden flutes and piccolos, but when his offer to buy the company was rejected, he created Verne Q. Powell Flutes, Inc. in 1927.

Since the company's founding, Powell flutes and piccolos have been known for their brilliant synthesis of innovation with traditional qualities. Advances in flute construction at Powell have included their patented Aurumite 14k alloy, introduction of the Cooper scale to their instruments, the Soloist and Venti headjoint styles, and more recently a pinless mechanism for the right hand, and the patented "Zinki" system for extruding flute holes.

Every innovation, however, is weighed against the question, "What will it do to the Powell sound?" A new idea is accepted only if it enhances the musical value of a Powell instrument.

Flute soloist Doriot Anthony Dwyer says, "There has always been a special sound to a Powell flute which I feel is ringing and true. It's a wonderful sound that can fill up a hall." That's a tribute to the care with which Powell instruments are made to assure their exacting tolerances—and more importantly their musical performance.

Powell Sonaré flutes, introduced in 2003, match a quality flute body with a hand cut Powell Signature headjoint to make it possible even for aspiring musicians to have a flute that plays exceptionally well.

Sonaré Winds also produce trumpets that deliver the Powell sound to musicians at an affordable price. The trumpets feature patent pending adjustable valve guides and a cryogenic treatment applied to the metal. Many top trumpet performers choose Sonaré trumpets for their outstanding value and performance.

In 1986 musician Steven Wasser purchased Powell Flutes. Under his leadership the Powell tradition of quality and innovation continues. By partnering with top instrument makers throughout the world, Powell is able to bring you high-value musical instruments of superior quality that let you concentrate on what you want to say with the music while they deliver flawless performance.

Student or beginning musicians have special areas of concern, and a musician who is just starting out has seriously compelling reasons to get the best possible instrument. As you are gaining mastery with an instrument, you are actually gaining comfort with numerous macro and micro movements of your hands, breath control, and other activities that are going to be new to you—and very awkward at first.

Woodwind & Brasswind is proud to offer high-quality Verne Q. Powell instruments for musicians from professional to beginner. Powell products for musicians are backed by The Woodwind & Brasswind's 110% Price Guarantee, assuring that you won't find quality Powell and Sonaré instruments at a lower price anywhere else.