Tucked barely a block from Main Street in Salem is a well-kept, non-descript little building that houses a specialized instrument repair service – something that may be a dying art. Valley Repair Service is owned and run by two master craftsmen, Glenn Schwizer and Tom Fisher, who partnered to form the business back in 1984, a decision that has been good for them and for musicians in southwest Virginia.
Valley Repair’s gray vinyl exterior gives no hint of the array and sheer volume of instruments and instrument parts hung from floor to ceiling within. It is a visual cornucopia of all things musical. To the uneducated eye, both men’s work areas appear to be randomly filled with hundreds of tools, parts and miscellaneous items accumulated from years of repair work, yet they are actually well-organized fast workers.
Ironically, before they met, both attended the same trade school, Eastern School of Musical Instrument Repair in Union NJ, which is no longer in existence. The school was run by Fred Kirschner (now deceased) who was the only person to write an encyclopedia of the trade. It was THE repair school devoted to the craft. Learning the instrument repair trade at Eastern was no small endeavor; it took about a year and a half full-time, 5 days a week to complete the 2,500 required hours.
The training is worth it; according to Schwizer, “there really has never been an instrument that we could not repair – rarely is an instrument unsalvagable.” That is why they have kept so many old instruments—for the parts—in case they need to do custom work. Fisher said, “if we have all the pieces, we can fix it, and usually even when we don’t.” Schwizer adds that they have “done work for a lot of pros over the years.”
Forming their own business was a logical step considering that individually both men had already earned the trust of many area musicians and band leaders who would likely be funneling business their way. Still, with young families and future college educations to fund, it was also a step in faith. Fisher points out that along the way, and even in the current economic downturn, business has been good, and he gives credit to God, a comment he says he has shared but “no one has put in print yet.” Fisher says “One of the neatest things is that all of it comes from the Lord and He has provided in a different way all the time — just when one source of business disappeared, another would come along to take its place.” They in turn, enjoy helping others through their work.
One of their more memorable clients was a little girl in middle school band who had a kind of disabling arthritis and wanted to play clarinet. Schwizer and Fisher had her hold the instrument so they could see exactly how her hands could grip it and completely changed it to fit her exactly. There was no charge other than a request for her “to remember us when she gets to Carnegie Hall.”
In addition to filling a unique niche with the business, Schwizer and Fisher have an inimitable and enviable working relationship with band directors and the many customers and students that come through the door. Still a Yankee’s fan, Schwizer hails from Long Island, NY, a fact that is evident as soon as he speaks; his New York accent is clearly prominent although he has lived in this area for years. His raucous but warm laughter echoes frequently throughout the building; the banter between he and the quieter Fisher (a former Navy man from Pennsylvania) has earned them the nickname “Click and Clack” of the music world by their customers. It is entertaining just to sit and listen to them as they work.
In fact, sit and visit is exactly what many do. Long-time customers and friends, including Salem High School’s retired band director Dennis Reasor, have spent many a lunch hour parked in a chair brown-bagging it along with Fisher and Schwizer. Fisher recounts that “one of the neatest things is people who are friends who come in just to talk—many of whom are musicians—people we’ve been doing work for, for years.” One of those is Dave McKee, Virginia Tech’s marching band director who says “it is always fun to sit in their presence.”
McKee, who has been at Tech since 1984, has nothing but high praises for Schwizer and Fisher. He said “If there are others who provide their level of service, I’m not aware of it; what they provide is great service all the time.” They are “class acts, great guys, terrific professionals who provide invaluable service to us. We have lots of repairs here; they are craftsmen of the highest order who literally keep us on the field.”
As most band parents are aware, students aren’t always the greatest stewards of their instruments. Some of the more amusing items that the two have found hiding in sousaphones include dead mice, 16 ounce soda bottles, a bra, and some years ago, a flask in a college student’s sousaphone. The men have completely overhauled all of Virginia Tech’s sousaphones.
Both men are thankful for the number of friendships they have made through their business. Fisher speaks for both when he comments that while they have enjoyed their work and the expertise they can offer, the “people are more important than anything else.”
Although they have no current plans to retire, they know the day is coming when they will need to address that issue. It is gratifying to know that they have already earned a place of respect in the hearts of so many; as one local band director told them, “I would hope someday to have the [good] reputation you guys have.”
By Cheryl Hodges [email protected]