Verne Q. Powell Flutes Inc. has been a leading producer of professional flutes and piccolos since 1927. The company produces handmade musical instruments in wood, silver, platinum, and gold.
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Verne Q. Powell (b. 7 Apr 1879 Danville, Indiana; d Feb 3, 1968 Needham, Massachusetts) started playing flute as a young boy in Kansas. His family were all musicians, but their trade was silversmithing. Verne was always encouraged to enjoy music, but he was trained by his family in jewelry making and engraving. In 1910, Verne visited Chicago to attend a recital by renowned flutist Georges Barrère. Barrère was performing on a silver flute, something Verne had never heard before. Verne was impressed with the sound, and set out to make a silver flute for himself.
Verne melted down various bits of silver (including a "handful of silver half-dollars," 7 spoons and 3 watch cases) to create the parts of the now infamous "spoon flute." Upon completing the instrument Verne began performing on it regularly. In a short time, William Haynes owner of the Wm. S. Haynes Flute Company of Boston, Massachusetts heard of Powell's instrument and asked to see it. Upon review, he offered Verne a job at his shop.
In 1916, Verne Powell joined the Wm. S. Haynes Company to make wooden flutes and piccolos. By 1926, Powell was the shop foreman at Haynes and was running much of the business. Later that year, he left Haynes to make his own flutes. In 1927, Verne Q. Powell Flutes, Inc. was incorporated at 295 Huntington Avenue in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1961, Powell sold his company to four employees who ran the company until 1984 when two employees, Jim Phelan and Rob Viola, became the owners. In 1986 Steven Wasser bought the shares belonging to Mr. Viola and gained controlling ownership. Jim Phelan left the company in 1989 to pursue other interests, and Mr. Wasser became the full owner.[1]
In 2011, Steven Wasser is still the owner and President of Verne Q. Powell Flutes, Inc. The company shop is now located in Maynard, Massachusetts.
In 2002, Verne Q. Powell Flutes Inc. created a division called Sonaré Winds. Sonaré flutes are intermediate level instruments which feature a body and handmade Powell headjoint (both made at the Powell shop). The scale, headjoint and soul of the Sonaré flute have the Powell sound, without the high cost of a handmade Powell instrument.
In 2005, Sonaré Winds created a line of trumpets with partner Cliff Blackburn, which are made in Elkhart, Indiana by the E.K. Blessing Co. but have a leadpipe and mouthpiece made by Cliff Blackburn.[5]