From musician to repairer
When working in international schools setting up and running an instrumental music programme, Ron Moonesinghe, found his career taking an unexpected course.
The need
My journey into the world of instrument repair began quite unexpectedly. As a trombone player from the age of eight, I had spent many years honing my skills and served as a musician in the Royal Artillery Band in the 1970s and ’80s. However, it was not until I became the Music Administrator at Cranleigh School in Abu Dhabi where I set up and ran a peripatetic musical instrument programme in 2017 that I truly understood the importance of the world of instrument repair.
When I arrived, the school had a brand-new set of instruments, but over time, many of them began to show signs of wear. The challenge? There were no local brass or woodwind repairers in the UAE at the time. After discussing the issue with the headmaster, I decided to train as a brass and woodwind repairer in the UK. It was a decision that would not only benefit the school’s music programme but also saved the school a significant amount of money in the long run – and changed my life forever!
My training was part-time over two-years, while I was still working on the ‘peri’ programme. Having completed all the basic and advanced courses, I was armed with the skills needed to maintain and repair the school’s instruments. From there, I never looked back, and I found myself fielding a growing number of enquiries for my services from other schools in the UAE, eventually inspiring me to open my own brass and woodwind repair business on returning to the UK in 2020.
How instrument repair supports education
Investing in instrument repair is more than just about fixing broken instruments—it’s about creating an environment where students can thrive. Here’s how:
- Enhanced Student Experience
When instruments are well-maintained, students can focus on their learning, rather than struggling with equipment that doesn’t work properly. A regular repairer ensures that instruments are always functioning at their best, allowing students to progress in their musical studies without unnecessary obstacles.
2. Confidence and Motivation
For young learners, the confidence to perform is closely tied to the tools they’re using. A well-maintained instrument works as expected, boosting the student’s confidence and encouraging them to continue practising and improving.
3. Student health
For hygiene reasons it is important to take a proactive approach and clean the mouthpiece and instrument, particularly if students are hiring the instrument. Many students do not know how to clean their instrument or devote the time to do it. I learned that specialised ultrasonic cleaning gave far better results for brass and non-wooden instruments without using harmful chemicals – removing the dirt, verdigris and limescale from every curve, nook and crevice in the instrument and mouthpiece without damaging the metal parts.
4. Long-term investment
Musical instruments are expensive, and many schools operate on tight budgets. By engaging a reliable repairer, schools can protect their investment in these instruments, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for costly replacements. Regular care and repair can keep instruments in good condition for years to come.
5. Life Skills
Caring for an instrument teaches students important life skills, including responsibility, attention to detail, and patience. These are lessons that go beyond music, helping students grow as individuals while developing their musical talent.
A growing role
As schools expand or introduce an instrumental music programme, the need for ongoing programmes of maintenance and repair grows too. In my view, and from my experience the best way to go forward is to find and appoint an ‘in-house’ repairer.
Whether it’s for handling minor repairs, offering maintenance advice, or providing opportunities for students to learn about instrument care, engaging a repairer is an important way of enhancing any school’s music programme. This is particularly critical in countries where there are not any local businesses offering instrument repair and will be a valuable asset to share with other schools in the area, perhaps sharing the cost too.
My own experience as an instrument repairer has shown me just how critical this role is. In addition to helping schools maintain their instruments, I’ve seen first-hand how the right repairs and care can improve a student’s musical experience. For schools, establishing a programme of regular repair is an investment in the quality of their music education program.
The unsung hero of school music
Instrument repairers might not be the most visible members of a school’s music department, but their work is indispensable. Considering the appointment of an in-house repairer, perhaps shared with other schools is, from my experience very much the way to go. By investing in proper instrument care, schools are not just protecting their equipment—they’re giving students the best possible chance to succeed in their musical journey while establishing their school as a centre of excellence for Music.
Ron Moonesinghe was the music administrator and in-house brass and woodwind instrument repairer at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi. He is a member of the National Association of Musical Instrument Repairers (NAMIR) and runs his own business based in Sleaford in the UK, where he works for schools and individual musicians. He is increasingly being asked to visit and work with international schools.
Find out more about his work here: https://www.britishmusicservice.com/
FEATURE IMAGE: by Rich Smith on Unsplash
Support Images: With thanks to Ron & https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/FangXiaNuo?mediatype=photography
