Our Founder, Mr. Willard Burrage, began his career as a band director in Eastern North Carolina before becoming an educational sales representative for Lyons Instrument Company of Chicago.  By offering reliable service to music programs, Mr. Burrage gained the respect of Educators throughout North and South Carolina. He soon expanded his services by including a complete line of music publications from Kjos Music Publishers.  Music Educators came to depend on Mr. Burrage for recommendations on music selections as well as instruments and accessories.  Mr. Burrage pioneered many of the recruitment techniques and programs still in existence.  This tradition, although expanded, has continued with our company today.

 

In 1956, Willard and his wife, Lucye, purchased Gupton Music, a music store and repair facility that had been in existence in Raleigh, NC since 1948. Burrage Music Company soon became a well known and highly respected full service music dealer througout the southeast.  Totally committed to music education, the company was instrumental in starting and supporting many of the most successful school music programs.

 

Due to this success and expansion, the company moved in 1974 from the downtown location to our present North Raleigh site. This facility includes a line of music publications for band, orchestra, school and church choirs, and keyboard as well as a complete inventory of instruments and accessories. It also encompasses a full-service repair shop, shipping department, practice rooms and recital hall.

 

Maintaining the family tradition, the Burrage's daughter, Deedy, and her husband, David Neville, began working in the store in 1973. They purchased the company after Mr. Burrage died in 1988. They and their staff strive to keep the same level of service for their patrons.

 

Burrage Music Company is proud to be major supporter of music education throughout the southeast.  Our commitment to serving music educators and their students remains our first priority.