Band Instrument Repair Schools
The band instrument repair trade can be difficult to break into without formal training. Unless you are lucky enough to come across the rare apprentice position or are diligent and self-motivated and can learn on your own, the only other option is to attend a repair school.
One of the most common requests we receive is for info and advice on band instrument repair schools. So we’ve put together this matrix of the five accredited band instrument repair schools in North America - one in Canada and four in the United States. Info was gathered from the schools’ websites and from talking to the admissions offices and/or the instructors at the schools in February, 2007.
The details in this chart are to serve only as a guide. It was accurate at the time of posting as far as we know. However, you should confirm the data and request additional info from the schools before drawing any conclusions or making any decisions. Should you find any discrepancies, please let us know so we can keep it up to date.
| MN State College - Southeast Technical (Redwing, MN) |
Keyano College (Alberta, Canada) |
Western Iowa Tech (Sioux City, IA) |
Renton Technical College (Renton, WA) |
Badger State Repair (Elkhorn, WI) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Duration | 9-month course (2 semesters of 16 weeks each) |
4 semesters plus optional co-op term | 5 semesters (includes a summer session) |
3 quarters | 48 weeks |
| Degree / Diploma/ certificate | Diploma | Diploma | Associate in Applied Sciences | Certificate | Certificate |
| Total credit hours required | 42 | 65 | 68 | 74 | N/A - 40 hours of hands-on work per week |
| Price per credit | MN resident - $133.14 MI, MO, NE resident - $199.71 Out-of-State - $266.28 |
N/A | IA Resident - $97
Out-of-State - $133 |
N/A | N/A |
| Tuition | MN resident - $3,046 per semester MI, MO, NE resident - $4,218.97 per semester Out-of-State - $5,616.94 per semester |
Canadian resident - $1,900 per semester |
IA resident - $1,904 per semester
Out-of State - |
$1,096.20 per quarter | WI resident and out-of-state:
$3,100 per quarter |
| Additional fees and supplies (not included above) |
Tools - $1,800 total for entire program Books/Supplies - $430 total for entire program |
Registration Fee - $10/semester |
Books, tools, & supplies | Supplies - $1,000 | $1,600 at time of enrollment Tool kit - $900 |
| Estimated Total cost | MN resident - $8,322 MI, MO, NE resident - $11,117.94 Out-of-State - $13,913.88 |
Canadian resident - $9,504 |
IA resident - $7,616 plus books, tools, & supplies Out-of State - $10,064 plus books, tools, & supplies |
$4,288.60 | $15,800 |
| MN State College - Southeast Technical (Redwing, MN) |
Keyano College (Alberta, Canada) |
Western Iowa Tech (Sioux City, IA) |
Renton Technical College (Renton, WA) |
Badger State Repair (Elkhorn, WI) |
|
| Student: Teacher ratio (max) |
20:1 | 12:1 | 20:1 | 18:1 | 1:1 |
| Apprenticeship /Co-op offered/ required | No | Offered but not required | No | No | Entire course is hands-on apprenticeship |
| Gen Ed classes required | Computer course Communications course CPR/First Aid Math course |
Accounting I Interpersonal Skills for Business Business Communications 4 credits from approved electives Introduction to Theatre Sound |
Introduction to Computers English Elective Psychology Elective Math General Elective General Education Elective (Humanities or Healthful Living/Leisure) |
Applied Composition or English Composition Applied Algebra for Business and Industry General Psychology Speech Communication |
None |
| Band Instrument Repair Classes required | View class schedule | View class schedule | View class schedule | View class schedule | View Class Schedule (pdf) |
| Housing | Limited dorms Off-campus rental units available |
Yes - view info | Apartment-style dorms - view info | Apartments across street | Apartments in area |
| Meal Plans/ Cafeteria | Food service available No cafeteria – steak shop |
Cafeteria available No meal plans |
Cafeteria with meal plans | Cafeteria available No meal plans |
None |
| Additional Links | Band Instrument Repair School Home Page | Band Instrument Repair School Home Page | Band Instrument Repair School Home Page | Band Instrument Repair School Home Page | Band Instrument Repair School Brochure (pdf) |