STEPHEN BUTLERSpecialist Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone Repairer.
About My Business
How it all started
I have been a woodwind repairer specializing in flutes, clarinets and saxophones for over 30 years now, although the beginning of my working life was very different. I went to the Royal Academy of Music as a clarinettist studying with John Davies and Richard Addison. In my final year I was awarded a distinction for my final performance recital and also awarded the Edwin James Prize for outstanding playing. I then subsequently played professionally touring the country with an opera company for two years and then freelancing for four years, playing chamber and orchestral music.
Having always been interested in the workings of woodwind instruments I found that when I was playing on tour my free time was mostly spent repairing colleagues instruments. My clarinet playing days eventually ended in 1982 when I was fortunate enough to join a large specialist music shop in central London as a repairer. My previous profession has always been of huge benefit to me because the finer points of the customer requirements made good sense having once played professionally myself. I have specialized in repairing flutes, clarinets and saxophones as these three instruments are played individually and jointly by doubling/session musicians in this demanding profession. Over the years I have also specialized in wooden flute restoration as this type of period flute has steadily returned in popularity.
I have dealt with musicians from every sphere including all of the professional orchestras in this country and many abroad. I also repair saxophones for many of the leading classical, jazz and session musicians.
Stephen Butler specialist woodwind repairer for Flute repairs, Clarinet repairs, Saxophone repairs,
located in Bromley Kent, London suburb, South East England.