The Woodwind & Brasswind

The Woodwind & Brasswind has been serving musicians at all levels for over 30 years. Our journey began in South Bend, IN working out of a converted barber shop with a hand-typed flyer as a catalog. Since then The Woodwind & Brasswind has grown to into the premiere catalog and internet retailer serving musicians from flutists to tuba players and violinists to percussion artists.

In 1978 The Woodwind was founded on opportunity – taking the centuries-old concept of mail-order and applying it to musical instrument accessories. This made items typically found only in larger metropolitan areas available to every corner of America. The original four-page, hand-typed flyer was sent to just 350 music teachers in the Midwest.

Encouraged by the success of its early endeavor, and at the request of many brass players, The Woodwind expanded into brass products becoming known as The Woodwind & The Brasswind. By the late 1980s expansion into guitars, drums, and audio equipment meant serving musicians with any need. As a result of the company's early growth the 800 square-foot barber shop The Woodwind & The Brasswind called home became cramped and could no longer meet the needs of the growing business. A new location was found with a dedicated room for the call center, a retail floor, and warehouse. The original four-page flyer blossomed into multiple catalogs, one for each major division, and a master catalog listing all products.

The 1990s brought even more success. The mail-order business grew by leaps and bounds, expanding from 12 to 75 call center agents by the end of the decade. The first website was also launched during this period. However, unlike many retailers, the catalog continued to be seen as the instrument of success.

The rapid growth of the last decade meant The Woodwind & The Brasswind long out grew its second location. So on April 1, 1999 employees gathered to pack up the store and move it to the current location at 4004 Technology Dr in South Bend, IN. The location features a large call center, office space, and the region's largest music superstore. The current tilted treble clef logo also made its debut, and The Woodwind & The Brasswind simplified its name to The Woodwind & Brasswind.

Today, The Woodwind & Brasswind has grown to more than 110 employees committed to assisting musicians from all backgrounds make music. Partnering with DonorsChoose.org, The Woodwind & Brasswind is committed to restoring music education in public schools across the United States. Since 2007 donations of nearly $1.5 million have provided musical equipment to programs in need.

In addition to supporting musicians during their first steps, The Woodwind & Brasswind is also an official tour-level sponsor of Drum Corps International (DCI). Known as "Marching Music's Major League", DCI is a touring competition with more than 100 events across North America.