Does your oboe or English horn need maintenance or repair?

1. Schedule an appointment

Text Noelle at 614.202.7088 or send an email to ndrewes@gmail.com providing:

• Your first and last name
• Make/model/serial#/age of the instrument
• Aproximate date of last service
• Any specific issues you are aware of
• Whether you want to schedule an in-person visit, or ship your instrument to the shop

All customers are seen by appointment only, Tuesday-Friday

2. Drop off your Instrument

At your scheduled appointment time, be sure to communicate any and all concerns. Noelle will inspect the instrument, recommend a repair plan, and provide you with an initial estimate on cost and turnaround time.

Projects fall into one of two categories:

• Small Job

  A minor project that can be completed in under an hour. Examples: tenon cork replacement or octave vent cleaning, adjustments etc. Fees typically range from $50 to $120. Once you drop off your instrument, you can go grab a coffee, walk through the park, or just wait in your car. Noelle will contact you when your instrument is done and ready for you to return to pick it up.

• Big Job

  These projects can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on a variety of factors. Examples: standard cleaning (COA), full re-pad, complete overhaul, crack repairs, tone hole replacements, etc. Fees can range anywhere from $100 to $900 or more. Noelle juggles a busy schedule and works hard to keep the turnaround time short. Please schedule big jobs as far in advance as possible. Noelle will contact you when your instrument is done, so that you can schedule an appointment for pick up.

* If you cannot be without an oboe during the time your instrument is being worked on, please inquire about Noelle's rental oboe.

3. Pick up and Payment

When you return to pick up your instrument, feel free to play test it for a minute or so. Always let Noelle know if you still have any concerns.

For payment on repairs, Noelle's Oboe Workshop accepts check, PayPal, and credit cards.

Download PDF files:

Standard Services Offered

Basic Oboe Maintenance Information

Crack Prevention Guidelines

Suggestions for Water Prevention in Tone Holes

How to Properly Ship an Oboe

Noelle has been repairing oboes and English horns for over a decade. Her clients include members of the National Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra, the DC premier military bands, and other local professionals, as well as students and hobbyists throughout the region, and around the country via shipping. She was a featured guest on the podcast "Not Your Average Musician" where she discussed her oboe repair story among other topics. Noelle has also appeared as a repair specialist at double reed day events, and has given college master class presentations.

She was incredibly fortunate to begin her repair training as an apprentice to legendary woodwind master Lee Lachman. Noelle began working at Lee Lachman's Woodwind Services in 2012. She worked at Lee's in College Park for a decade as their double reed repair specialist, while additionally working on flutes, saxophones, and clarinets as needed. (Picture from Lee Lachman's Woodwind Services, 2015: Noelle, Lee Lachman, and Patrick Plunk)

During the pandemic, Noelle built a repair shop in her home in Bowie, MD. She now works exclusively at Noelle's Oboe Workshop, repairing and maintaining oboes and English horns.