G. LEBLANC CORPORATION,

--7019 Thirtieth Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53141.
Telephone: 800-558-9421. FAX: (414) 658-2824.
Vito Pascucci, president; Leon Pascucci, senior vice-president; John Musselman, executive vice-president; Richard Hammond, vice-president/treasurer; Ron Griggs, vice-president/sales; Ralph Zumpano Sr., vice-president/The Woodwind Company; Stan Surber, vice-president/international sales.

The G. Leblanc Corporation looks to the future with a continuing commitment to quality manufacturing, technological innovation, and personalized service to its dealers and ultimate customers. Tracing a musical heritage to 1750 in France, Leblanc is today one of the world's largest privately owned wind instrument manufacturers. Its Holton Division is the world's largest producer of French horns. Since its founding in America in 1946, the company has built substantially on the solid foundation laid by its European antecedents. The musical brand names manufactured and/or distributed by Leblanc are:
Leblanc (Paris)
Noblet
Normandy
Courtois
Vito
Holton
Martin
The Woodwind Company
Yanagisawa

Leblanc's Case Division produces many of the custom-made cases that house the instruments. Elegant and durable coverings, quality hardware, and classic designs are hallmarks of Leblanc cases. Leblanc accessories offer a broad range of convenience, comfort, and enjoyment of making music.

Educational services to the world of music rank high in the Leblanc operation through an active Educational Department, the first established by an American band instrument maker. A library of over 60 booklets is available for instructors and students of music and covers a variety of musical, esthetic, and educational topics. Award-winning band folders and music calendars are made available through Leblanc franchised music retailers.

An active in-house Advertising Department, under the direction of Advertising Manager John Hauter and Communications Director Mike Johnson, produces a corporate newsletter four times a year, color catalogues of the firm's nine instrument lines, a regularly updated accessories catalogue featuring over 1,100 quality items, a parts catalogue, and flyers and brochures describing the firm's instruments, accessories, and services. Leblanc publishes a series of detailed care booklets for the instruments and a complete instrument specification sheet program as well as other print material designed to acquaint the dealer and the consumer with Leblanc. Leblanc has been consistently cited for excellence in its print advertising and catalogues and is the recipient of two National ADDY First Place Awards, the highest award given by the American Advertising Federation.

G. Leblanc Corporation's origins are traced to the founding of Ets. D. Noblet of Paris in 1750. Indeed, it was Noblet more than any other instrument maker that helped the French nation become world-famous for its woodwinds. In 1904, ownership of Noblet passed to Georges Leblanc, descendant of a long line of distinguished French instrument makers and surely the most gifted woodwind craftsman of his day. Leblanc-Paris was organized shortly after World War I by Georges Leblanc and his son, Leon, primarily as an experimental laboratory for acoustical research and for development of newer and still more accurate manufacturing methods. The subsequent growth of G. Leblanc S.A. has been largely due to the work of Leon Leblanc, who, in addition to his reputation as an instrument maker, is the only clarinet manufacturer to have won the prestigious First Prize of the Paris Conservatoire both in clarinet and in solfeggio. Artistry, musicianship, and scholarship--qualities all found in Leon Leblanc, Leblanc (Paris), and G. Leblanc Corporation. In April 1989 majority shares in the French firm, G. Leblanc S.A., were acquired by Vito Pascucci, president of the Kenosha-based American firm.

The complete family of clarinets is today manufactured by Leblanc (Paris), including the newest soprano model developed by Leon Leblanc, the LX, as well as the recently introduced basset clarinet, the model 1756, a re-creation of an instrument in use during Mozart's time. Other popular models include the Double L and the Pete Fountain model, which features goldplated keys. Leblanc is the world leader in the development and manufacture of soprano and harmony clarinets--alto, bass, contra-alto, contrabass, and octo-contra clarinets. The balanced clarinet choir is a concept developed and fostered by Leblanc.

Among the contributions of Leblanc (Paris) to woodwind design are the Leblanc-patented B-flat mechanism, the straight-in-line jump keys, improved C#/G# key for the left hand little finger, separate mountings for the A-flat/B-flat right hand, and the use of a single tone hole to produce all the 12ths on the alto and bass clarinets. Leblanc also eliminated register-key linkage from upper to lower joints on alto and bass clarinets. Other respected woodwinds by Leblanc are its flutes, oboes, and basset horns.

The Noblet line of soprano, alto, and bass clarinets, oboes, flutes, and piccolos fills a further market demand for fine grenadilla-wood woodwinds and artist-grade flutes for students and professionals. Two centuries of experience have enabled Noblet to produce a sound, quality musical instrument of unparalleled craftsmanship at a very competitive price. A still more economical line of grenadilla-wood clarinets is Normandy, an historic name that also graces French-made flutes for the student market.

Antoine Courtois brasswind instruments are distributed exclusively in the United States by G. Leblanc Corporation. Superb quality and beautiful workmanship characterize the offerings from the oldest brass maker in continuous operation in the world. Courtois is synonymous with perfection in brasswinds.

The history of G. Leblanc Corporation, Kenosha, dates to the last months of World War II. A chance meeting between Leon Leblanc and Vito Pascucci, then serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps with the Glenn Miller Band, led to the formation of the American firm as a service branch of the French company and sole distributor in the U.S. Soon thereafter, facilities for re-acclimation of the wood instruments were established in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Pascucci's hometown. The manufacture of plastic-bodied clarinets for the growing U.S. student market was begun in the early 1950s and carried the Vito brand name.

The American-made Vito line features the Vito Resotone and the VSP series of soprano (B-flat and E-flat) clarinets, alto and bass clarinets, and three different series of saxophones in alto, tenor, and baritone models. Several Pete Fountain model clarinets by Vito were unveiled in 1984 to bring this popular artist's style to the student. Featuring distinctive gold keys and special Pete Fountain engraved signature, these models are "pipin' hot," as Pete would say. 1985 saw the reintroduction of the popular Vito white-bodied clarinets, now joined by five other vivid colors that bear the new trade name "Dazzlers." Vito clarinets are available in a choice of handsome cases--a compact molded plastic; elegant woodshell with several optional finishes; and a carry-all that holds sheet music as well. The company has placed its Vito Resotone plastic clarinets squarely in the spotlight of teacher, player, and professional approval. By applying the best traditional manufacturing techniques--plus some distinctly modern improvements in precision--Vito clarinets stand out in their field for intonation, playing ease, and beauty, as well as durability.

The Frank Holton Company, a division of G. Leblanc Corporation, continues to grow with the same vigor as its parent company. The Holton Company, established in 1898 in Chicago by Frank Holton, was acquired by Leblanc in 1964. An old Holton motto is: "This is as good as a Holton...but beyond this they do not go." This still describes the quality and integrity of Holton brasswind and woodwind instruments. From modestly priced student instruments to horns of first-chair symphony players in the U.S. and abroad, the Holton name has earned the respect and admiration of teachers, students, and audiences. Holton models include the T101 Symphony trumpet; a family of instruments designed with Maynard Ferguson and including the popular ST550 MF Admiral B-flat trumpet; the famous Farkas and Opus French horns; the Falcone baritone; symphony trombones; single and double rotor in-line bass trombones; and more than 50 other distinguished brasswind models. The H200 Holton Descant is the first descant horn to be manufactured in the United States. Recently unveiled is the Holton Tuckwell model premium double horn, crafted for the most discriminating of players. The H104 boasts a number of exclusive handcrafted features that set a new standard for American horn-making. This model enhances Holton's reputation as the world's largest maker of French horns.

In September, 1967, Leblanc acquired the respected Woodwind Company and moved its operations to Kenosha. The second oldest maker of mouthpieces, Woodwind was established in 1918. Over the years, Woodwind has standardized American mouthpiece specifications and their various designations, pioneered the concept of individual facings for individual embouchures, and developed a line of 110 different clarinet and saxophone mouthpieces. Woodwind mouthpieces are manufactured from steel Ebonite and a specially developed hard rubber that is highly sensitive, durable, as tough as metal, and non-warping under extremely high temperatures. Distinguished clarinetist Larry Combs, principal clarinetist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, assited in the development of the Larry Combs Model 2571 Woodwind mouthpiece. Robert Marcellus, former principal clarinetist with the Cleveland Orchestra professor of music at Northwestern University developed the Robert Marcellus Woodwind M2591. These mouthpieces became virtual overnight hits and top off Woodwind Company's artist and student mouthpiece lines.

Leblanc acquired the Martin Band Instrument Company in March, 1970, thus adding another established and reputable band instrument firm to its roster. With Martin models such as the Urbie Green Trombone, Martin instruments are enjoying a resurgence, steadily becoming the professional musician's choice.

Yanagisawa artist saxophones, flutes, and piccolos enjoy a world-class reputation and are offered to the United States and Canada on an exclusive basis by Leblanc. Models include the baritone, alto, tenor, straight and curved soprano, and sopranino saxophones. Yanagisawa was founded in Japan in 1898 and makes the world's only curved soprano saxophone that plays well in tune throughout the entire soprano range. Among the unique Yanagisawa features are its optional necks, offered for the musical consideration of timbre and response of the alto and tenor models. The latest Yanagisawa straight soprano saxophone, Model 2200SS, is offered with two neckpipes: one straight and one curved. Recently added to the quality Yanagisawa line are alto sax model 2130, featuring a sterling silver body, and model 2140, featuring a sterling silver bell, offering the ultimate luxury to discerning saxophone artists. Model 2145, combining both silver body and bell, is available on a special-order basis.

Leblanc accessories offer many proprietary items as well as a wide range of musical accessories, including Vito and Holton mouthpieces, Leblanc and Holton oils, ligatures and caps, recorders, music stands, instrument cases, and drum sets. Jobber distribution is offered on some items. LEBLANC (Paris) BAND INSTRUMENTS--c/o G. Leblanc Corporation, 7019 Thirtieth Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53141. Telephone: 800-558-9421.

In Paris, Leon Leblanc works quietly and expertly in his factory, personally upholding standards of craftsmanship and a family tradition of excellence.

Instruments bearing the Leblanc name are made especially for professional musicians and advanced students. All are Boehm system, tuned to A-440 at 72 degrees F. In addition to the long-respected Leblanc (Paris) clarinets, the offerings include the complete family of alto, contra-alto, bass, contra-bass, and octo-contra clarinets, which Leblanc pioneered.

Leblanc flutes offer a choice between plateaukey and open-hole models and are also available with a sterling silver body.

Completing the woodwind line are Leblanc oboes, basset clarinets, basset horns. Recently introduced are the artist model Leblanc Paris LX B-flat and A soprano clarinets. A beautifully crafted clarinet, the LX, Model 1185, takes its place in the ranks of world-class clarinets.

In April 1989 the majority shares in the French firm, G. Leblanc S.A., were acquired by Vito Pascucci, president and co-founder of the Kenosha-based American firm.