• Music Store

    Band Instruments, reeds and more..

    The same reeds and gear I use for my own professional engagements, along with prices that match the big stores we offer valuable advice. 

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  • Reserve Clarinet Mouthpieces

    Reserve Bb Clarinet Mouthpieces

    ( Simon Cole plays Prarie Dawn ) (Copland)

    Inspired by the most prized, vintage mouthpieces of the 1920s, the Reserve harnesses modern technology, pioneered by D’Addario, to recreate the incomparable craftsmanship found in these legendary works of art. Available in three facings: close, medium, and medium open

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  • Repairs

    Professional Performing Musicians, Band teachers and Discerning Amateurs send their instruments to us.  Expert woodwind repairs and advice that only a first class performer and repairman can give. Since 1991 serving the North from Prince George. Clarinets, Flutes, Saxophones, Oboes, Bassoons are our specialty.

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  • Music Lessons

    Voice, piano, flute, saxophone oboe or clarinet  all ages levels .
     Have music as a fun and rewarding part of your life. Recommended by band teachers

    563-4693 or email register any time.

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  • Sponsors of

     the New Horizons Senior Band For seniors/adults with no or long ago musical experience. Join us Mondays at 500-800 1st Baptist Church in PG. New beginner group underway  from  5-6. for more info call the Director Simon Cole at 250-563-4693 or You can start at any time.

    Hear Simon talk about the band.

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New Music

Progress

"The pattern of progress can be compared to an oncoming tide-wave after wave moves onward seemingly with the same upsurge, but once in a while, one of the waves reaches ahead of the others, and then seems to be followed by the others, until the same motion occurs anew. Progress always moves forward-it is never still. The minute one feels that a certain level has been achieved at that precise moment one stops progressing, unless one tries to reach a higher level still or else regression starts and the level goes down. Perfection does not exist, but the ambition to reach it makes for unending progress and self satisfaction."  Bonade 

You are here: Home News Darwin's Galapagos Mouse Reality check

Cole's Music Band Instruments sales repairs lessons

Reality check

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Written by Simon Cole

Some people are under the impression that as a “union” member and part of the PGSO professional core that I have a high paying salaried job. One could forgive them after all I play just like the players in the big orchestras that they listen to on CD.

In fact I make c$9985 a year according to my T4.  My “benefits” include pension contributions from my employer and 7 ( usually unclaimed sick days).

Out of this I pay:

Instrument insurance and maintenance ($1000 a year)

Reeds ( for Bb clarinet Eb and Bass clarinet) ( $2000 year)

Replacement parts ( barrels and mouthpieces this year I had to replace them all as the PGSO is now playing at a 442-445)( $1900  this year)

Scores and recording of the works so I can show up to the first reh playing perfectly) ( $1159 this year)

Periodic replacement of clarinets ( this year that was $2813 )

Total $8872

End result less than $1113 for my efforts. For this I work 2-4 hours a day, every day (In addition to whatever else I have to do), I have had 0  vacations in the last in 26 years.

Of course I  think this  (playing great music as well as possible) is worth while even with so little reward or I wouldn't have done  it for 26 years. That is how great music is.

Sheet Music resource

Sheet Music Downloads plus Audio Files at Virtual Sheet Music

I use this daily and have just renewed my membership. A years membership is the same as buying 1 book at the music store. The music comes with accompaniments at different tempos and the quantity of music you can download and play is staggering. For a family with kids in music it would be one of the best investments you could make

School credit

Learn to play or learn to sing and get Secondary school credit.

Many successful students ! Register Now!

Authorized dealers of Nobel Band Instruments

Nobel Clarinet

Nobel_clarinet14041 Bb CLARINET, brushed hard rubber body for a wood-like sound and finish, wear resistant nickel plated keys, waterproof Valentino pads, French blue steel needle springs, genuine cork bumpers and tenons, bell ring, 65mm Moenig bore barrel, light case with back pack straps. The quasi-indestructible nature of Valentino pads render the Nobel completely airtight and fully resonant. A best choice for a sound investment. $495

 
Every clarinet is set up and play tested before sale, most stores do not do this. This clarinet has had some undercutting of higher tone holes and resetting of pad heights done for better pitch and tone.

The material, reverse taper barrel and design give this clarinet a more mature rich sound when compared to standard student clarinets costing hundreds more. I have played one in the orchestra for outdoor concerts. 

Alban Classical


Private performance April 14

PGSO April 21

Wind World Alban classical school show April 23 and 30