Company Background

Buckeye Brass & Winds is a full service musical instrument service and retail shop that strives to maintain the small town feel and one on one service. Started by a two OSU music education graduates, current teacher and former instrument manufacture and designer, the roots of Buckeye Brass & Winds originated with Ray Spillman of Delaware Ohio. One of the most respected and sought out technicians in central Ohio, Buckeye Brass & Winds strives to maintain the integrity and service oriented reputation that Ray worked to build.

Vision and values

Vision:

The vision for Buckeye Brass & Winds is to be the premiere musical instrument service center for central Ohio and surrounding areas. Starting with unmatched experience, technical expertise, creativity, equipment and machinery, our services are unparalleled. Our vision also includes manufacturing of instruments and accessories. With our manufacturing experience and customizing capabilities, professional trombones are in our future.

Values:

Detail oriented, personal attention, and quality driven. With the proper knowledge of product and a network that is unmatched we are able to help artists at any level.

Staff bios

Rob Phillips

Rob Phillips, owner of Buckeye Brass & Winds, is originally from Waynesville, Ohio. It was in Waynesville at the age of fifteen that Rob began his apprenticeship with Pat Hiatt, notable instrument repairman and founding member of NAPBIRT (National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians). Rob's apprenticeship with Pat led him to The Ohio State University where he earned his Bachelors of Music Education. While a student at OSU, Rob served as a repair technician for the OSU Marching Band as well as being an active member of the sousaphone section. During his time at Ohio State, Rob also worked with Ray Spillman. Ray, now retired, was highly respected in Ohio and the Midwest for his quality of work and the services that he provided for students and professionals alike. The opportunity to create Buckeye Brass & Winds would not have been possible had it not been for the generosity and guidance of Ray Spillman.

Rob recently left Conn-Selmer after more than ten years with the company. While at Conn-Selmer, Rob held several positions from Design Engineer to R&D Manager to Engineering Manager. Responsibilities ranged from new instrument designs, such as the current King 2341 and Conn 50J series of tubas, to several new trombones, of which included the 88H with the Christian Linberg rotor, which Rob holds a patent. Beyond just instrument design, Rob's responsibilities also included manufacturing implementation, tool development and design, component design, directing New Product development and existing product development, as well as supervision of engineers and toolmakers at Conn-Selmer, Inc.

While at Conn-Selmer, Rob worked with performing groups such as the Boston Brass and Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps. Rob also had the privilege of working with Cleveland Orchestra members Jim Desano, Steve Witser, Rick Stout, and Thom Klaber, and many other notables such as Ralph Sauer, Deanna Swoboda, Craig Knox, Bill Reichenbach, John Feddchock, Christian Lindberg and Carl Fischer.

Rob still believes that to work with musicians and communicate effectively, one must understand their needs. He believes that the best way to do this is to be a player. Rob has played BBb tuba with the Ohio Collegiate Brass under the direction of Dr. Paul Droste (now The Central Ohio Brass Band), The Cuyahoga Valley Brass Band under Dr. Keith Wilkinson (now The Brass Band of the Western Reserve), and most recently became a member of the championship band The Brass Band of Columbus

Andy Thomas

coming soon...

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