Caitanya candrodaya dasa is a disciple of Satsvarupa dasa Goswami, who was among founding members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), better known in the west as the Hare Krishna movement.
Caitanya candrodaya dasa is a Vaisnava writer, poet, and artist. He is the first initiated disciple of Satsvarupa dasa Goswami in Russia.
Caitanya candrodaya dasa is a Vaisnava writer, poet, and artist. He is the first initiated disciple of Satsvarupa dasa Goswami in Russia.
Sebastian Sidi (born c. 1975 Uruguay) is a selft taught musician based in Downey, CA.
Sebastian Sidi's music is difficult to define since it does not easily fall into a single genre. It is more like a fusion of Latin, Rock, Classical, Tango and New Age music.
Sebastian’s family moved to the United States when he was 6 years old. Sebastian never formally studied music, as a teenager one day he sat behind a friend’s battered drum set and pounded out his first heavy metal tunes. Before long he started playing keyboards, and composing songs for a number of local Rock bands, Rap groups and Latin bands. Over time his music migrated more towards a fusion of Classical music with New Age influences. His music appeals to a very broad audience including teenagers and adults of all ages. His concerts are truly a family event where the children enjoy the show as much as their parents or grandparents. In 2005 Sebastian turned full time to his music, giving up his stable day job and has been performing and selling his CD’s and DVD’s successfully ever since. Recently he has partnered with 12 time Emmy Award winning George Veras to Executive Produce a PBS TV Special for Airing in the Summer of 2008. Sebastian’s goal is to share his unique brand of music with as many people as possible. He enjoys nothing more than performing for an audience in a live setting and seeing the smiles on everyone’s face after the show at the meet and greet table.
Albums
* 1999 '
* 2000 '
* 2002 '
* 2005 '
Sebastian Sidi's music is difficult to define since it does not easily fall into a single genre. It is more like a fusion of Latin, Rock, Classical, Tango and New Age music.
Sebastian’s family moved to the United States when he was 6 years old. Sebastian never formally studied music, as a teenager one day he sat behind a friend’s battered drum set and pounded out his first heavy metal tunes. Before long he started playing keyboards, and composing songs for a number of local Rock bands, Rap groups and Latin bands. Over time his music migrated more towards a fusion of Classical music with New Age influences. His music appeals to a very broad audience including teenagers and adults of all ages. His concerts are truly a family event where the children enjoy the show as much as their parents or grandparents. In 2005 Sebastian turned full time to his music, giving up his stable day job and has been performing and selling his CD’s and DVD’s successfully ever since. Recently he has partnered with 12 time Emmy Award winning George Veras to Executive Produce a PBS TV Special for Airing in the Summer of 2008. Sebastian’s goal is to share his unique brand of music with as many people as possible. He enjoys nothing more than performing for an audience in a live setting and seeing the smiles on everyone’s face after the show at the meet and greet table.
Albums
* 1999 '
* 2000 '
* 2002 '
* 2005 '
This wiki entry is essentially designed for the purpose of informing about current activities against the U.S. missile defense program, especially in Eastern Europe. Related wiki entries include National Missile Defense, Missile defence, Anti-ballistic missile.
History of U.S. Missile Defence
In December 2002, President Bush announced the United States would begin fielding several components of an anti-ballistic missile system designed to protect U.S. territory from attack by long-range (strategic) ballistic missiles. In July 2004, it fielded the first ground-based interceptor at Ft. Greely, Alaska, and since then has fielded and upgraded radars, built command and communication networks, and added interceptors at Ft. Greely and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Bush administration is also pressing to field interceptors and a radar in Eastern Europe.
On February 5th 2008 The New York Times reported that the proposed military budget for 2009 "will be the 11th year of continuous increases in the base military budget."
Furthermore Ria Novosti report that "the overall 2009 missile defense budget proposed by the Bush administration totals $10.4 billion. It is aimed to continue to develop, test, and field missile defense systems to protect America, its allies, and deployed forces. The budget proposal must be approved by Congress before it becomes effective."
The Pentagon are expected to release in full on Monday, February 11th its total proposed 2009 military budget of $515.4 billion. If it is approved, annual military spending, adjusted for inflation, will have reached its highest level since World War II.
U.S. Missile Defence in Europe
The current [http://en. .org/wiki/Republican_Party_(United_States) Republican] U.S. administration is planning to construct a base for 10 two-stage missile interceptors near the city of Slupsk in Northern Poland, modify its X-band radar on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific and relocate it to Trokavec near Prague in the Czech Republic, and additionally deploy a new forward-based radar to an unspecified location.
"The U.S. project to enlarge its missile defence system to Eastern Europe is a wasteful enterprise that will make the world unstable," says Philip Coyle, senior advisor to the independent Centre for Defence Information in Washington, and expert on worldwide military research, defence and security policy.
Coyle was recently invited to Prague by Greenpeace. He met with Czech politicians and local authorities to gather evidence from independent researchers that the U.S project to enlarge its missile defence system (MDS) is dangerous.
At the same time U.S. Missile Defence Agency (MDA) director Henry Obering was promoting the MDS amid promises to protect Europe from the alleged threat of Iran and other 'rogue states'.
The following is an excerpt from Inter Press Service Agency Central and Eastern Europe correspondent Zoltán Dujisin's interview with Coyle on the U.S. plans to set up a radar in the Czech Republic and a base with ten interceptor missiles in Poland.
IPS: Can the MDS work?
PC: The missile defence hardware being proposed for Europe has no demonstrated effectiveness to defend Europe, let alone the United States, from an attack by Iran under realistic operational conditions.
IPS: Some Czech and Polish politicians believe the radar will protect them.
PC: Officially the missile defence agency itself says the first purpose of the radar in Europe is to protect the radars in Greenland and the UK, only then they go on to say it will protect the United States and its allies.
IPS: Is there a threat for Europe at present?
PC: There are about 3,400 km from Tehran to Prague, but the longest range missile that Iran has today only has a range of about 1,500 km, which means it wouldn't even get halfway to Prague.
The new 2009 proposal for military spending in the U.S. includes the allocation of $96 million for the development of missile shield elements. This includes $382.6 million for the actual deployment of the complexes in both Poland and the Czech Republic, and $241.2 million for construction works.
The overall 2009 missile defense budget proposed by the Bush administration totals $10.4 billion.
Resistance in Poland
The Campaign against Militarism, Poles for a Referendum, the Anarchist Federation and other groups are calling for a large-scale mobilization against the installation of missiles and the building of the US base in Poland. The action, called for March 29, can be seen as part of a larger anti-militarist struggle which is taking place throughout Europe, including the NATO Game Over action to be held in Brussels on March 22 and the anti-NATO Summit to take place in Bucharest at the beginning of April. Let's come together and show that we are not indifferent to the politics of militarism!
On Saturday March 29, protestors are due to meet at 12 noon stage anti-militarist street theatre and hold an open air public speak out on the missiles and the Polish States militarisation plans. Hundreds of foreign activists from throughout Europe are have signed up to attend the action and plan to march to the proposed military base 4km from Slupsk to the town of Redzikowo.
Heavy security is expected and a large amount of participants have stated they will risk confrontation with the poiice and/or military. Those concerned about violence from the security forces are advised to keep some distance at the action. Other activities in Redzikowo are also planned including discussions with local people, delivering leaflets and newspapers to local residents, film shows, community gardening, vegetarian food distribution from food not bombs collectives, face painting and an anti-war soccer match.
Referendum Petition
A campaign in Poland has also been established to collect signatures from concerned citizens against the construction of the U.S. base and the probability of Poland becoming more prone towards a terrorist attack due to it's close associations with the U.S. 'War of Terror'
According to opposition politicians in the Polish Sejm (parliament) there is not the 2/3's majority of MPs required for the President to call a referendum. Neither the current President, Lech Kaczynski from the right-wing Law and Justice party (Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc), nor the new centre-right government of Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska) led by Donald Tusk support the call for a referendum. They believe "matters of national defense" should not be subject to referenda and the former government claimed that such an issue should not be decided by the people
Stop the Shield Demo March 29th '08, Poland
On Saturday March 29, 2008 thousands of Polish and international protestors are expected to descend upon the city of Slupsk to protest against the proposed U.S. missile base. According to the Polish Campaign against Militarism website the anti-shield activists intend on staging street theatre and facilitating open air meetings at large squares throughout the city, speaking out on against the missiles and militarism.
A 'Stop the Shield' march will subsequently take place from Slupsk to the small town of Redzikowo, 4 km away, where activists will engage in direct action at the proposed site of the U.S. base (currently an unused Polish military base). A confrontation is expected as Polish police and military will quite likely prevent the anti-shield demonstrators from proceeding towards the scene of the crime. A range of other activities to engage the residents of the areas of Redzikowo and Slupsk are also planned.
Slupsk is a few hours from the Baltic coastline cities of Szczecin or Gdansk.
Radar Resistance in Czech Republic
Jan Neoral is the Mayor of the village of Trokavec, where the U.S. Radar section of the Missile Defence System is expected tobe deployed.
In an article he wrote for the local campaign 'Trokavec Against the Radar' he stated the following:
"a group of specialists who have been working with us since the beginning have just completed their calculations on the basis of those data that they have managed to obtain, and they have decided to present their conclusions to the public.
These Czech specialists support the conclusions made by German scientists and the information provided by the US National Missile Defence agency. They argue that the XBR radar is not technically capable of protecting the territory on which it is stationed. Thus the argument of Czech government politicians who maintain that those who are against the building of the US radar are against the defence of their own territory, is a demagogical lie."
NATO Game Over in March '08, Belgium
On 22 March 2008, five years after the start of the Iraq war, activists from all over Europe will nonviolently try to enter and close NATO headquarters in Brussels, in order to prevent further war crimes and military occupations. The following two days, Bombspotting and organise a conference on how to counter the ongoing military globalisation with nonviolent resistance.
Anti-Nato Summit in April '08, Romania
On 21st of September the Romanian Vice Foreign Minister Victor Micula and North-Atlantic Council Secretary Berndt Götze signed the memorandum for hosting the NATO summit in Bucharest in April next year.
This will be the largest one in the history of NATO, as all the 23 member states of the NATO Partnership for Peace will attend, besides 26 member states of the alliance.
Approximately 3.000 high-ranking officials are expected to participate in the summit, whose security will be guarded by some 9.000 Romanian troops, officers of the Special Guard and Protections Service, police officers and gendarmes. The expenses of the event are estimated at 30-35 million euro.
Thousands of anti-militarism protestors will demand the abolishing of NATO due to it's role in warmongering since it's establishment in 1949.
History of U.S. Missile Defence
In December 2002, President Bush announced the United States would begin fielding several components of an anti-ballistic missile system designed to protect U.S. territory from attack by long-range (strategic) ballistic missiles. In July 2004, it fielded the first ground-based interceptor at Ft. Greely, Alaska, and since then has fielded and upgraded radars, built command and communication networks, and added interceptors at Ft. Greely and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The Bush administration is also pressing to field interceptors and a radar in Eastern Europe.
On February 5th 2008 The New York Times reported that the proposed military budget for 2009 "will be the 11th year of continuous increases in the base military budget."
Furthermore Ria Novosti report that "the overall 2009 missile defense budget proposed by the Bush administration totals $10.4 billion. It is aimed to continue to develop, test, and field missile defense systems to protect America, its allies, and deployed forces. The budget proposal must be approved by Congress before it becomes effective."
The Pentagon are expected to release in full on Monday, February 11th its total proposed 2009 military budget of $515.4 billion. If it is approved, annual military spending, adjusted for inflation, will have reached its highest level since World War II.
U.S. Missile Defence in Europe
The current [http://en. .org/wiki/Republican_Party_(United_States) Republican] U.S. administration is planning to construct a base for 10 two-stage missile interceptors near the city of Slupsk in Northern Poland, modify its X-band radar on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific and relocate it to Trokavec near Prague in the Czech Republic, and additionally deploy a new forward-based radar to an unspecified location.
"The U.S. project to enlarge its missile defence system to Eastern Europe is a wasteful enterprise that will make the world unstable," says Philip Coyle, senior advisor to the independent Centre for Defence Information in Washington, and expert on worldwide military research, defence and security policy.
Coyle was recently invited to Prague by Greenpeace. He met with Czech politicians and local authorities to gather evidence from independent researchers that the U.S project to enlarge its missile defence system (MDS) is dangerous.
At the same time U.S. Missile Defence Agency (MDA) director Henry Obering was promoting the MDS amid promises to protect Europe from the alleged threat of Iran and other 'rogue states'.
The following is an excerpt from Inter Press Service Agency Central and Eastern Europe correspondent Zoltán Dujisin's interview with Coyle on the U.S. plans to set up a radar in the Czech Republic and a base with ten interceptor missiles in Poland.
IPS: Can the MDS work?
PC: The missile defence hardware being proposed for Europe has no demonstrated effectiveness to defend Europe, let alone the United States, from an attack by Iran under realistic operational conditions.
IPS: Some Czech and Polish politicians believe the radar will protect them.
PC: Officially the missile defence agency itself says the first purpose of the radar in Europe is to protect the radars in Greenland and the UK, only then they go on to say it will protect the United States and its allies.
IPS: Is there a threat for Europe at present?
PC: There are about 3,400 km from Tehran to Prague, but the longest range missile that Iran has today only has a range of about 1,500 km, which means it wouldn't even get halfway to Prague.
The new 2009 proposal for military spending in the U.S. includes the allocation of $96 million for the development of missile shield elements. This includes $382.6 million for the actual deployment of the complexes in both Poland and the Czech Republic, and $241.2 million for construction works.
The overall 2009 missile defense budget proposed by the Bush administration totals $10.4 billion.
Resistance in Poland
The Campaign against Militarism, Poles for a Referendum, the Anarchist Federation and other groups are calling for a large-scale mobilization against the installation of missiles and the building of the US base in Poland. The action, called for March 29, can be seen as part of a larger anti-militarist struggle which is taking place throughout Europe, including the NATO Game Over action to be held in Brussels on March 22 and the anti-NATO Summit to take place in Bucharest at the beginning of April. Let's come together and show that we are not indifferent to the politics of militarism!
On Saturday March 29, protestors are due to meet at 12 noon stage anti-militarist street theatre and hold an open air public speak out on the missiles and the Polish States militarisation plans. Hundreds of foreign activists from throughout Europe are have signed up to attend the action and plan to march to the proposed military base 4km from Slupsk to the town of Redzikowo.
Heavy security is expected and a large amount of participants have stated they will risk confrontation with the poiice and/or military. Those concerned about violence from the security forces are advised to keep some distance at the action. Other activities in Redzikowo are also planned including discussions with local people, delivering leaflets and newspapers to local residents, film shows, community gardening, vegetarian food distribution from food not bombs collectives, face painting and an anti-war soccer match.
Referendum Petition
A campaign in Poland has also been established to collect signatures from concerned citizens against the construction of the U.S. base and the probability of Poland becoming more prone towards a terrorist attack due to it's close associations with the U.S. 'War of Terror'
According to opposition politicians in the Polish Sejm (parliament) there is not the 2/3's majority of MPs required for the President to call a referendum. Neither the current President, Lech Kaczynski from the right-wing Law and Justice party (Prawo i Sprawiedliwosc), nor the new centre-right government of Civic Platform (Platforma Obywatelska) led by Donald Tusk support the call for a referendum. They believe "matters of national defense" should not be subject to referenda and the former government claimed that such an issue should not be decided by the people
Stop the Shield Demo March 29th '08, Poland
On Saturday March 29, 2008 thousands of Polish and international protestors are expected to descend upon the city of Slupsk to protest against the proposed U.S. missile base. According to the Polish Campaign against Militarism website the anti-shield activists intend on staging street theatre and facilitating open air meetings at large squares throughout the city, speaking out on against the missiles and militarism.
A 'Stop the Shield' march will subsequently take place from Slupsk to the small town of Redzikowo, 4 km away, where activists will engage in direct action at the proposed site of the U.S. base (currently an unused Polish military base). A confrontation is expected as Polish police and military will quite likely prevent the anti-shield demonstrators from proceeding towards the scene of the crime. A range of other activities to engage the residents of the areas of Redzikowo and Slupsk are also planned.
Slupsk is a few hours from the Baltic coastline cities of Szczecin or Gdansk.
Radar Resistance in Czech Republic
Jan Neoral is the Mayor of the village of Trokavec, where the U.S. Radar section of the Missile Defence System is expected tobe deployed.
In an article he wrote for the local campaign 'Trokavec Against the Radar' he stated the following:
"a group of specialists who have been working with us since the beginning have just completed their calculations on the basis of those data that they have managed to obtain, and they have decided to present their conclusions to the public.
These Czech specialists support the conclusions made by German scientists and the information provided by the US National Missile Defence agency. They argue that the XBR radar is not technically capable of protecting the territory on which it is stationed. Thus the argument of Czech government politicians who maintain that those who are against the building of the US radar are against the defence of their own territory, is a demagogical lie."
NATO Game Over in March '08, Belgium
On 22 March 2008, five years after the start of the Iraq war, activists from all over Europe will nonviolently try to enter and close NATO headquarters in Brussels, in order to prevent further war crimes and military occupations. The following two days, Bombspotting and organise a conference on how to counter the ongoing military globalisation with nonviolent resistance.
Anti-Nato Summit in April '08, Romania
On 21st of September the Romanian Vice Foreign Minister Victor Micula and North-Atlantic Council Secretary Berndt Götze signed the memorandum for hosting the NATO summit in Bucharest in April next year.
This will be the largest one in the history of NATO, as all the 23 member states of the NATO Partnership for Peace will attend, besides 26 member states of the alliance.
Approximately 3.000 high-ranking officials are expected to participate in the summit, whose security will be guarded by some 9.000 Romanian troops, officers of the Special Guard and Protections Service, police officers and gendarmes. The expenses of the event are estimated at 30-35 million euro.
Thousands of anti-militarism protestors will demand the abolishing of NATO due to it's role in warmongering since it's establishment in 1949.
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
Company Website
West Music
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
Company Website
West Music