ASHLAND — Ashland High School senior Avery Brown’s passion for music emerged in the fourth grade when he began playing the clarinet.
Eight years later, Brown has accepted a one-of-a-kind apprenticeship focusing on instrument repair with Mike Metcalf, owner of Mike’s Music Corner in Ashland.
Brown, who will graduate next month, is eager to hone his trade under Metcalf’s leadership. An avid musician, Brown has been a member of the high school’s marching band, concert band, symphonic band, both jazz band programs as well as the a capella choir group.
“At first, I was really into singing,” Brown said. “I wanted to do a lot of musical stuff.
“I remember my mindset at that time when I was young: I wanted to do whatever was behind the voice, so I started doing band.”
Brown specializes in woodwind instruments, including clarinet and saxophone, but also dabbles with the bass guitar. He listens to a myriad of music genres including country, pop and jazz.
“It started in the summer of COVID; I was thinking about what I was going to do in the future,” said Brown. “I knew I wanted to do something along the lines of music.
“I thought, ‘Well, I like to repair stuff and I love working with instruments. So, I talked with Mr. (Marty) Kral, the high school band director, and he said this would be a pretty cool opportunity.”
Mike Metcalf has operated Mike’s Music Corner for 28 years. Before that, he spent 12 years with another instrument company and taught as a band director.
This will be Metcalf’s first apprentice of this magnitude.
“I think first of all, (Brown) is a sharp kid; I know that from having asked around a little bit about him,” Metcalf said. “And just talking to him, I know he’s got a keen interest in it.
“Just from him being in band and having the knowledge of having the instruments in his hands, and having the practical knowledge to know what to do without any training, that makes it attractive to me. There’s not too many instrument repairmen around now.”
Many small towns do not have their own music stores, especially ones featured on Main Street. Mike’s Music Corner is another amenity that makes Ashland’s downtown unique.
Other communities must either travel to locations where music stores reside, or they must send their instruments away to get them repaired. Mike’s Music Corner accommodates repairs for not only Ashland, but surrounding communities as well.
Metcalf plays a slew of instruments, but his main focus is the French horn, which he plays in the Ashland Symphony Orchestra.
According to Metcalf, instrument repairmen must have decent knowledge of how to play a wide range of instruments to ensure they are properly fixed.
“I think Avery is going to do a very nice job,” Metcalf said. “He is interested in going on and furthering this interest in some schooling.
“I think it will be a nice dovetail into what I am doing here. More students should contemplate doing something like this — with an apprenticeship. It is much more (prevalent) in Europe.”
Mike’s Music Corner has a designated music repair station that will allow Metcalf to teach Brown the various techniques he utilizes to repair a multitude of instruments. The store also has several used instruments that Metcalf plans to demonstrate certain repair procedures.
Brown said he could not turn down this opportunity because it aligned with his interests and is located close to home. In fact, Brown can recall coming into Mike’s Music Corner a few years ago seeking a repair for his vintage Bundy clarinet.
“The dream scenario for me would be to be in Mike’s position right now; running the business and repairing instruments here,” Brown said.
Metcalf has been a major commodity of the Ashland community for decades and has consistently contributed to the community’s music scene. So it stands to reason that he searches for an heir apparent.
Perhaps, his pursuit to find a qualified individual will not be a substantially lengthy endeavor.
