West Music

West Music is a retail store that focuses on musical instruments, service, and lessons. It is based in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois and has eight locations throughout that area, a product catalog, and an ecommerce website.
History

West Music Company was founded by Pearl L. West. He was born in 1914 and grew up in a small house on a farm 10 miles southeast of Dean, Iowa. Farm life was rough in those days - there was no central heat or electricity and not much food. During the Great Depression, Pearl played the baritone horn in various bands and traveled all over Iowa to make a living. In August of 1940, he formed a partnership with Pete Peterson and together they began Peterson-West Music Company, a one-room retail and repair shop on South Clinton in Iowa City.

A few months after the store was opened World War II began. This resulted in great shortages of musical instruments, so the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Peterson went on the road with a dance band and Mr. West moved the repair shop to 110 Iowa Avenue with Huyett Music Company. Mr. West auditioned for the Navy Preflight Band but could not pass the physical. He then joined the instrumental music department at City High in Iowa City in October of 1942, teaching in the school system during the day and repairing instruments at night. This schedule continued until 1945 when he officially opened West Music Company on South Dubuque Street. His experience in music education, repair and performance gave him a unique understanding of the needs of the music industry. The initial focus of West Music was to fulfill the specialized requirements of educational institutions. Over the years, we have not only retained this original goal, but have expanded to include pianos, organs, electronic amplification equipment, guitars, orchestra instruments, marching equipment, materials for elementary teachers, and a wide range of accessories. The repair department has also expanded and now includes 23 full time technicians, the largest facility of its kind in the Midwest.

Many exciting changes have occurred since the beginning. Pianos and organs were added in 1955. By 1961, the entire operation was moved to a larger location on South Clinton Street to accommodate recitals and clinics. A second building was purchased next door in 1966 to house the repair and lesson departments. Steve West joined the company in 1969 and became Sales Manager in 1971. In 1972, a second store was opened in Sycamore Mall. West Music moved to its current location at 1212 5th Street in Coralville in 1973 to provide additional space to expand the institutional business.

Timeline

1976

Pearl and Steve West purchased Everett's Music in Washington, Iowa to provide better service to schools in southeast Iowa, northeast Missouri, and western Illinois.

1978

West Music Company was awarded the exclusive rights to the importation of Miyazawa Flutes from Japan to the United States. A new division was established to distribute this outstanding professional flute on a national level.

1980

The Music Education Department was created, specializing in products for elementary schools. Extensive research was conducted to determine the specific needs of this market. As result, we are now a nationally recognized supplier for learning institutions across the country. Pearl West resigned as President of West Music Company, but retained his position as Chairman of the Board of Directors and devoted his time to the development of Miyazawa Flutes USA.

1981

West Music moved the mall store to 1st Avenue in Iowa City. The emphasis on music education also increased at this location. Music Education grew to such an extent at the main store that it became necessary to relocate that department. The building next door was purchased and the music education department moved in. Also, due to the needs of the area orchestras and the growing reputation of our repair technician, we expanded and remodeled the repair department to increase space and efficiency.

1984

West Music purchased Crichett's Cedar Rapids Piano and Organ Company. This provided greater access to serve the Cedar Rapids keyboard market. By 1988 it became necessary to expand the operation, requiring a move from Lindale Mall to the Collins Road Shopping Center. Larger studios and a new recital hall demonstrated the commitment to the future as West Music became a leader in both the keyboard and band instrument departments.

1988

West established WestCo, a separate import/export wholesale company. This has become a network of dealer distribution on a national level. In addition to the professional flutes from Japan, we also import and distribute professional piccolos from Germany, guitars from Spain, percussion instruments from Mexico, China and Germany, special instruments from Africa, and electronic educational laboratories from England.

1992

A temporary store in Waterloo was moved to a permanent location in Cedar Falls, allowing our educational, combo, keyboard and band departments to expand. This store was the fifth West Music in eastern Iowa.

1995

West Music Company purchased Sorden Music in Ottumwa. Purchasing Sorden Music allows us to better serve southern Iowa, northern Missouri and western Illinois.

West Music opened a West Express store in Waterloo. The purpose of this smaller store is to provide consumers with easy access to lessons, music, and small goods.

1996

The store in Coralville was remodeled. An addition was built on the south side of the building to house our music education, administrative and accounting departments. A 5,000 sq. ft. warehouse was also constructed to accommodate our growing catalog department. A piano showroom and educational facility was built on the east side of the existing building. The purpose of this facility is to display our large selection of quality pianos and to streamline our educational programs.

1997

The store in Cedar Falls moved and expanded.

1998

The first catalog was mailed to symphonic and concert percussionists nationwide. We established the min/max inventory system at all locations and implemented an Auto Purchase Order system to allow for a better inventory mix.

1999

On January 27 the founder of the company, Pearl West, died after a long battle with Alzheimers. Pearl's character, innovation and great humor will be greatly missed.

The Marion location was completely remodeled and updated to better serve the Cedar Rapids market. The West Music web site was expanded and updated to allow online ordering.

2000

Richardson Music in Ottumwa was purchased and merged with Sorden Music to better serve the needs of southern Iowa. A new 13,000-square-foot store was opened in Davenport to better serve the Quad Cities market. The Dutchway Laundromat next to the Coralville location was taken over by West Music to create additional space for lessons, the combo department and storage. The Music Education Catalog was expanded to a full-size format so additional products could be included. Over 120,000 catalogs were mailed nationwide. West Music became the exclusive distributor for Scheidmayer Celestes and Thein triangles, both from Germany and distributed through the Percussion Source. The web site for the Percussion Source is updated to include faster and more powerful access of inventory and customer information. Steve West, president of West Music, is elected Chairman of NAMM, the International Music Products Association. Musical Merchandise Review magazine

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West Music

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