A saxophone dropped down a flight of stairs. Clarinets snapped in two. Brass dented during a marching band collision.
While such moments are often devastating to musicians and band directors, they cause no panic for Carl Thacker, who runs Illinois State’s instrument repair shop. The veteran technician’s work involves finding the remedy for perplexing problems that include everything from broken keys and stuck valves to bent metal.
Get an Inside Look at the repair shop below:
Carl is a master craftsman. I’ve seen him do some amazing things. He can make an instrument look brand-new after years of neglect.