K-State Marching Band saves time and money with a new in-house instrument repairman
You’re in the K-State Marching Band, rapidly doing the Wabash with your trumpet in hand. Suddenly, you slip and drop your instrument, giving it a sizable dent.
Never fear! Instrument repairman Joshua Cook is here!
After years of sending instruments to repair shops for $60,000 to $80,000 a year, the marching band now has a full-time, in-house repairman to complete the task for less money and in even less time.
Cook attends most band performances and is on-site to fix anything broken within minutes. He has lubricants for brass instruments, pads for woodwinds and anything else the instruments might require.
Above and beyond
K-State is the only Division I university that has a full-time instrument repair technician who also teaches independent study courses in instrument repair. Cook is also the instrument technician for the School of Music, Theater and Dance and is the faculty coordinator for the QuVee Mock Masterclass Series and the Sawin Arts Extension Program.
Cook often spends time fixing instruments and completing other tasks late into the night. He frequently gives presentations and leads band clinics, teaching K-Staters about the instrument repair industry and inspiring lots of students to consider entering the business as a result.
“Josh is the band’s hero now,” said Frank Tracz, professor of music and director of bands. “He cares about not only the instruments but also the students who play them.”
By Kate Ellwood