Summer 2023 MECA
Continuing Education Courses
Overview
Don’t miss one of VanderCook’s most popular classes! Watch your instrument repair bills shrink after learning the basics of woodwind and brass instrument repair. Bringing a flute, clarinet, trombone, and French horn for basic repair assignments is recommended; additional instruments to evaluate and repair may be brought as all types of band instruments may be worked on. Old clothes and closed-toe shoes are highly recommended. This class is open to both beginning and advanced students.
Class Dates: (Every class will meet from 8:00AM to 5:00PM CST.)
Requirements
Chat Session
Prerequisites
Required Text(s)
None
Learning Platform Information - Online Courses Only
Schoology is a learning management system that allows you to interact directly with your instructors, fellow students, and members of the greater VanderCook community.
The evening before your class begins, be on the lookout for an email from Schoology with log-in instructions. Once you receive credentials, visit www.online.vandercook.edu to login.
Some courses have specific online chat meeting times (please see course descriptions), while others have a flexible meeting schedule. You can expect all courses to meet together in a live online chat. If a live meeting time doesn’t work, you can work with your instructor to make other arrangements.
More information about Schoology can be found at www.schoology.com
Please see specific software/hardware requirements in the course description.
Online course grades are available within two weeks of the course(s) completion. If you need a transcript, please CLICK HERE to access the online transcript request form. For a faster turnaround time, please submit the transcript request to the registrar prior to the end of your course(s).
Instructor
Gary Everett
Gary Everett is a retired band director and department co-chair from the Oak Creek/Franklin Joint School District in Oak Creek WI. He previously held the position of chief tester at the G. LeBlanc Corporation’s headquarters in Kenosha, WI, where he was responsible for final inspection, repairs, final regulation and play-testing of all woodwind instruments before distribution. Everett also coordinated with visiting professional musicians, represented LeBlanc at area trade shows, and was a speaker during factory tours. Everett is owner and head technician of Everett Piano Services, a business dedicated to tuning, repair and restoration of pianos and related keyboard instruments. Gary is co-owner of In Tune Piano Supply, an online piano tools and parts sales company. He is a professional-level member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT), an associate member of the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG), and has been associated with the American Music Educators Repair Association (AMERA).
Everett has taught numerous repair clinics, lectured and served as an onsite repair technician for multiple school districts and colleges. Everett is active in the local music community as a musician for area bands, show bands and orchestras, including the Kenosha Pops Concert Band. Everett holds a bachelor’s degree in instrumental music education from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and a master’s degree in instrumental music education from VanderCook.
Bill Rife
Bill Rife was chosen by Dr. Victor Zajec to teach the brass segment of Band Instrument Repair at VanderCook, and has taught since 2004. He has been a member of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT) since 2010. His back ground in Tool and Die and love for music, has made it possible to share his repair skills and has provided brass repairs for Divine Infant and Divine Providence school bands (of Westchester, IL) from 2003 to 2012.
Bill played with the Chicago Youth Organization (CYO) for over 20 years, and is currently a member of the American Wind Band (formerly Westchester Community Band) in the southwest suburbs, as well as the West Suburban Concert Band in LaGrange, IL. He has also performed with a 60s and 70s cover-band, Scraps of Brass, since 2010.
He has played trumpet for over 40 years, and enjoys restoring antique brass instruments in his spare time.