Gemeinhardt

Gemeinhardt Co. is the music industry's largest exclusive manufacturer of flutes and piccolos. These musical instruments are developed by this company for all levels of musicians, beginners to professionals.

Gemeinhardt Co. was founded by Kurt Gemeinhardt, who was a fourth generation flute maker. Born in Germany, Gemeinhardt served an apprenticeship under his father. In 1928, Kurt traveled to Elkhart, Indiana to produce musical instruments. After twenty years of doing this, Kurt Gemeinhardt opened his own manufacturing facility, The Gemeinhardt Company. In 1952, the Gemeinhardt factory was expanded to meet growing demands for all silver flutes. Less expensive, mid-priced models were also developed, and soon after that, entry-level flutes were produced.

In 1997, Gemeinhardt Company acquired the Roy Seaman Piccolo Company, a company renowned for their handcrafted grenadilla wood piccolos used by professionals worldwide. Today, Gemeinhardt, under its parent company Gemstone Musical Instruments, manufactures student, intermediate and professional flutes, alto flutes, bass flutes, custom head joints and piccolos in a number of locations, including the Elkhart factory built by Kurt Gemeinhardt in 1951.

As part of the terms of a 2005 sale to the New York-based equity firm Brooke Partners, Gemeinhardt Co., Inc. became Gemeinhardt Co., LLC, part of the parent organization Gemstone Musical Instruments. Based in Elkhart, Indiana, Gemstone Musical Instruments produces and distributes musical instruments from the student to high-end professional level under nine names: Gemeinhardt Flute Co., Roy Seaman Piccolo Company, Sankyo Flute Company, Trevor J. James & Co. Woodwinds, W. Nirschl brass, Brio! Flutes, Andino Clarinets, Stephanhouser Saxophones and Artisan Strings.

• Gemeinhardt Co. Website
• Gemstone Website

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