"Wenger’s strong tradition of innovation and quality has built a worldwide reputation. Most music teachers at international schools come from the U.S., with first-hand knowledge and experience using Wenger products. Wenger products are the first choice of almost all of us. While Wenger products cost a little more, they last longer. Our school purchased a number of Wenger products, with many features that aid our students’ learning. The products are beautiful and we’re very happy to have them!"
— Brent Poling, Director of Performing and Visual Arts, International School Bangkok, Thailand
"I’ve been a committed Wenger customer for almost 25 years, first as a band director and now as an administrator. I know it’s a cliché, but you really do get what you pay for. We’ve learned our lesson the few times we haven’t bought from Wenger. Along with the quality of Wenger products, which is considerable, I appreciate always receiving the highest level of personalized service. I can pick up the phone and talk to anyone I need to…from the shipping department to sales to tech support. I also have my sales rep’s cell phone number. Excellent customer support is one of the most impressive things about Wenger, in addition to the quality. I never feel like I’m dealing with a big company."
— Jeff Laird, Director of Secondary Performing Arts, Aldine Independent School District, Houston, Texas
"My friends from other districts encouraged me to request Wenger equipment because it will last longer. Other companies make knock-off products that lack the same quality. Everything from Wenger is high quality – the equipment is holding up well. When you put this much time and money into planning a new band room, it’s important to buy products you know will last. Wenger personnel were super from the beginning – their attention to detail was excellent. You can tell they’ve been doing this for a while and they really do care. My Wenger representative wanted me to get what’s best for my program and was real good about stretching a dollar. Everything we ordered has a very unique purpose."
— Tom Finigan, Band Director, Colleton County High School, Walterboro, South Carolina
"The quality and history of Wenger products speaks for itself. It’s worth paying a little bit more when you know something is going to last. Wenger equipment is sturdy and very easy to use."
— Susan Scheibler, Fine Arts Coordinator & Choir Director, Blue Valley Southwest High School, Overland Park, Kansas
"In planning our new theatre, our first call was to Wenger. Acoustics were at the top of our priority list; we knew they would be difficult to change later. Wenger agreed to supply the shell and recommended we work with an acoustical consultant and theatre designer. We trusted Wenger from the beginning because we’ve used Wenger products in band programs for more than 30 years. We knew Wenger was a good company."
— Tim Willson, Instrumental Music Teacher, The American International School of Muscat (TAISM), Oman
"When you’ve purchased products for 40 years, you get rather blunt about it: Wenger products just work! Before becoming a principal, I was a music teacher for 25 years. The Wenger name alone always spoke to quality. When choosing between Wenger and another company’s product, I’d rather have Wenger. Knowing the quality of the product makes the decision really easy. Wenger Corporation is a great success story. They started by inventing a chair and expanded that kind of quality into everything else they made. We chose the Upper Deck system because I trust Wenger. They also provided good service, making some design adjustments I requested."
— Michael T. Thorsen, Principal, Barbara Ingram School of the Arts, Hagerstown, Maryland
"Having used Wenger products in the UK for many years, I knew that, upon arriving in Thailand, they would be my first port of call when sourcing new, top quality equipment for our concert hall and Music department. From initial contact to safe and prompt shipment of the products, we have been totally delighted with the service received. Our second phase order from them is now underway."
— Jonathan Ling, Director of Music, Shrewsbury International School, Bangkok, Thailand
Chairs – Nota"We’re very happy with the Nota chairs. My students find the Nota chairs very comfortable, even for longer rehearsals; the chairs just seem to fit their bodies better. Whether students sit back or on the edge, they have great posture."
— Anthony H. Bailey, Director of Bands, Hart High School, Newhall, California
Chairs"A chair like the Nota chair, that allows a musician to sit comfortably and play efficiently and easily, can certainly help musicians maintain their good health."
— Dr. William J. Dawson, Past President of the Performing Arts Medicine Association; Associate Professor Emeritus of Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
Chairs"The Student Chair supports posture really well. Students cannot slouch back or slouch over – they have to sit up."
— Oscar W. Wright, Director of Bands, R.B. Stall High School, North Charleston, South Carolina
"I’ve used Wenger chairs since the mid-1980s. I like the Student Chair because it’s very sturdy, even for the largest football players. It’s rock solid. We have the chairs in different heights to accommodate different students. Whether students sit back or on the edge, these chairs are comfortable and very good for students."
— Robin Rogers, Choral Director, Charleston County School of the Arts, North Charleston, South Carolina
"I love the Student Chairs – they help everybody sit with better posture. My smaller students sit on the edge of the chair so their feet can reach the floor. When they get taller they can sit against the back and still have good posture. At other schools I’ve had the Cello Chairs and String Bass Chairs – I love them too."
— Nancy Epperson, Orchestra Director, Lady Bird Johnson Middle School, Irving, Texas
Stands – Classic 50"We really like the Classic 50 stands; they’ve and held up very well and we’ve not had any issues with them. We had Wenger chairs and stands before -- the only problem I ever had with them was not having enough."
— Gordon Haney, Band Director, Aldine Middle School, Aldine, Texas
"We have had the Classic 50 stands for nearly a decade now and they are great ... they really do last. Despite the best efforts of many teenagers the Classic 50 stands have survived ten years with flying colours."
— Denis Totton, Senior Music Co-ordinator, Methodist College, Belfast, Northern Ireland
"I wouldn’t go back to metal stands. The Classic 50 stand is much lighter and quite durable. I’ve not had any problems with breakage and the desk adjustment stays tight so music doesn’t fall off. The Move & Store Carts are wonderful! Students can roll chairs and stands to the gym for concerts – it’s much easier and faster than carrying them individually. After concerts, the carts make for fast pickup."
— Nancy Epperson, Orchestra Director, Lady Bird Johnson Middle School, Irving, Texas
"The Preface and RoughNeck music stands are good quality – they’re quite durable. I’ve used stands from other companies that didn’t hold up very long."
— Oscar W. Wright, Director of Bands, R.B. Stall High School, North Charleston, South Carolina
Teaching Tools"I really like the Flex System’s flexibility. It gives me easy access to my laptop computer and the worksurface can also hold my instrument. It’s very convenient. The wire rack helps hold commonly used items like rosin or mutes, along with key documents. I really like the double-decker Conductor’s Podium. For concerts I stack the podiums, but in the classroom I put the two side by side so it’s wider. I move around a lot when conducting. I like the adjustable height Conductor’s Chair. I’m short and can vary the height to suit my preference. It goes up and down smoothly and is easy to move."
— Nancy Epperson, Orchestra Director, Lady Bird Johnson Middle School, Irving, Texas
"The Conductor’s Podium is very easy to move from room to room and the see-through music stand allows students sitting in the front to still see the Smartboard."
— Brent Poling, Director of Performing and Visual Arts, International School Bangkok, Thailand
"I really enjoy the Conductor’s System. It helps me stay organized because I can keep my books on the shelf underneath the music stand. That’s quite helpful. For concerts it’s easy to wheel the podium to the auditorium."
— Oscar W. Wright, Director of Bands, R.B. Stall High School, North Charleston, South Carolina
"We wanted the security, flexibility and different cabinet sizes that Wenger offered, so we insisted that the specifications not allow any substitutions. Everyone says the Wenger cabinets look like beautiful furniture - which they are."
— Anthony H. Bailey, Director of Bands, Hart High School, Newhall, California
Storage"Our Wenger cabinets enable students to keep their instruments and belongings safe. With open shelves, security can be a major issue. We’re very happy to have the cabinets and they’re holding up really well."
— Oscar W. Wright, Director of Bands, R.B. Stall High School, North Charleston, South Carolina
Storage"We’re thrilled to have Wenger instrument storage cabinets – the students really enjoy them. We’ll issue locks next year so students can secure their instruments and other personal items. Countertop-level Cabinets: We plan on using the countertop cabinets primarily to show students how to care for their instruments – maintenance and simple repairs. For students with larger instruments, the countertop area provides plenty of room for backpacks, school supplies and anything extra."
— Gordon Haney, Band Director, Aldine Middle School, Aldine, Texas
Storage"The cabinets and Rack ‘n Rolls are worth their weight in gold because we can organize everything so well – including dresses, tuxes and smaller items. The Rack ‘n Rolls make it easy to distribute uniforms or transport them to the auditorium."
— Robin Rogers, Choral Director, Charleston County School of the Arts, North Charleston, South Carolina
"The instrument cabinets are very durable and easily accessible. The name tag slots work perfectly for labeling individual student cabinets."
— Brent Poling, Director of Performing and Visual Arts, International School Bangkok, Thailand
"I’m so glad we have the Instrument Storage Cabinets. String instruments are fragile and the cabinet doors help keep them secure. Homemade cabinets I’ve used before weren’t durable and lacked doors. We don’t lock the cabinet doors yet but might later after everyone has their own. The String Instrument Racks have been lifesavers this year. They’re easy to assemble, easy to move and easy to access. The racks are very steady so cases don’t fall out. We’ve purchased string racks from other companies but they’re not as well-built. I love the Folio Cabinets, especially the flexible slot labels and adjustable shelf spacing. I like the ability to make changes in the future if I want to. My Stereo Workstation holds various things including computer, tuner and metronome; I may add CD recording equipment later. The electrical plugs are convenient. I also secure my instrument under the roll-top desk when I leave it out of the case."
— Nancy Epperson, Orchestra Director, Lady Bird Johnson Middle School, Irving, Texas
Storage – Music Library"The Percussion Workstation easily organizes and stores a number of different instruments, mallets and accessories, allowing for a variety of setups with less clutter. The built-in music stand, cushioned top and attachable cymbal holder are all great features. It also moves easily from rehearsal to performance."
— Brent Poling, Director of Performing and Visual Arts, International School Bangkok, Thailand
"The Music Library System makes it much faster and easier to manage and find music. With file cabinets you have to pull out drawers and search, search, search."
— Oscar W. Wright, Director of Bands, R.B. Stall High School, North Charleston, South Carolina
"I think the OnBoard podiums are very easy to set up and very durable. We purchased two Field Podiums and two Auxiliary Podiums – one each for our truck and practice facility. The podiums look good and match the other OnBoard carts. The Auxiliary Podiums work really well for soloists. The Keyboard Cart is excellent – the bottom shelf holds a large bass woofer and the top shelf holds the keyboard or drum machine. With all the electronics used today, I highly recommend it. We also have the Bass Drum/Gong Cart and Speaker Carts. All the carts travel well. We store our marching band uniforms on OnBoard Cargo Carts – we have eight of them. These carts will make traveling to performances easier and protect our new uniforms so they last longer. Our locker rooms each have custom Wenger cabinets large enough to fit the Cargo Carts. We have four TranSport Carts, used by our Winter Guard to transport their tarp and other equipment. The cart is the perfect size and very durable. We had custom cabinets built for our color guard; they’re really neat. They are tall, skinny AcoustiCabinets, large enough to hold a flag bag and rifle, along with books, purses and other belongings."
— Tom Finigan, Band Director, Colleton County High School, Walterboro, South Carolina
"To meet the tight schedule, Wenger responded quickly in designing these 44 practice rooms and helping us lay them out to fit the space. This was no small task and Wenger was very good to work with. The Wenger rooms achieve much more sound isolation than the original built-in rooms – it makes sense that rooms built in a controlled, factory setting offer better results. (VAE) While most of our K-12 school projects feature built-in practice rooms, I think the VAE technology may be a reason to offer schools Wenger’s modular option. I thought this technology was pretty impressive, helping musicians understand what it’s like playing in a big hall."
— Dwight Dobberstein, Principal Neumann Monson Architects, Iowa City, Iowa (2010). Acoustical Equipment - Acoustical Panels
"The acoustical treatment has really changed our rehearsals; my students are excited to hear the difference. Band comes alive when you can move beyond learning your own part to analyzing other parts and hearing what the composer intended. I think that’s the ultimate enjoyment and reward of music in the band setting – it’s about the ensemble."
— Anthony H. Bailey, Director of Bands, Hart High School, Newhall, California, Acoustical Equipment – New Diva
Acoustical Equipment – Diva“When replacing our original Wenger shell, we considered its longevity and the company’s excellent reputation. Technology improvements mean our new Diva shell is easier to set up, take down and put away. The installation process went very smoothly – the Wenger crew was great.”"
— Jeff Young, Vice President of Operations, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands, Texas
Acoustical Equipment"The Diva shell’s sound projection to the audience is amazing – the audience can hear you anywhere you’re located within the shell. We no longer have to mic groups like jazz bands or vocal ensembles; the sound is actually better if we don’t. The greatest benefit is realizing our sound is better when we’re in the middle of the shell or even in the back, rather than the edge of the stage. We don’t have to be in front of the proscenium to be heard. Students understand they need better intonation because they can hear themselves along with the rest of the ensemble. When our brass group rehearsed with the shell, we suddenly heard every note of the chords, which we hadn’t necessarily heard in the rehearsal room."
— Tim Willson, Instrumental Music Teacher, The American International School of Muscat (TAISM), Oman
"Creating the proper acoustical setting for music can be difficult with a proscenium stage. The solution was the Wenger Diva shell; it provides great sound projection. As a performer in the hall, projection requires less effort; your energy starts going toward being more musical. Pianissimos are truly pianissimos, and fortes truly are fortes. Your expectations are immediately raised in the shell…it becomes part of the professional instrument you’re playing. I think students also sense this and are going to start working harder to play more musically. The Diva shell surrounds you with a natural warmth, which is a very different feeling than in many places I’ve played. It’s a very fulfilling experience. The Diva shell is easy to work with, even the 28’ high towers. It’s really important we can handle the shell ourselves because we’re a K-12 school, not a university with a large operations staff. The ability to move such a massive shell on our own is amazing. That’s the joy of working with Wenger products that are so well-engineered."
— Kevin Schafer, Director, The American International School of Muscat (TAISM), Oman
Acoustical Equipment"The Diva is a wonderful system that works really, really well. We’ve gotten a very favorable response from our users. It’s also beautiful to look at."
— Louis D’Alton, Concert Manager, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
"We use the Diva shell a lot, for everything from school groups to professional organizations. Having such a flexible system is ideal, because we can adjust the shell size to fit the group. Overall, our facility’s acoustics are widely praised by conductors, musicians and audience alike. I’ve been impressed with how the Diva system works. The towers are extremely easy to move into position. A three-man crew can set up or strike the shell in approximately 45 minutes. We probably put up the shell 15 to 20 times a year."
— Michael Duncan, Arts Center Manager, Oconomowoc Arts Center, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Acoustical Equipment – Diva shell"The Diva shell sets up quickly and smoothly – it’s more user-friendly than non-Wenger shells I’ve used. The Air Transporter makes it easy to move the towers into place. We often don’t have very much turnaround time between events, and our staff is relatively small, so every minute we can save during setup counts. Music directors in our district have raved about our facility’s acoustics."
— Mike Nicolai, Technical Director, Oconomowoc Arts Center, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Acoustical Equipment – Diva shell"Wenger does a fantastic job providing all the information we need to design and develop an acoustical shell’s support system. They ensure everybody’s information comes together so everything is coordinated. Wenger also responds very well to the inevitable changes that come up during construction."
— Jody Kovalick, Project Theatre Consultant, Schuler Shook, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Acoustical Equipment – Diva shell"I appreciate Wenger’s contributions to this project. I was very particular about coordinating the color of Wenger’s Diva shell with the wall panels and other interior finishes. Wenger patiently supplied samples again and again, until I was satisfied. Wenger’s shell, wall panels and veneer helped provide a harmonious interior in the theatre."
— Navjit Singh Matharu, Principal Designer, A+D Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Acoustical Equipment – Diva shell“It’s pretty hard to beat the storage technology that Wenger has for both Diva towers and ceiling panels.”"
— John O’Keefe, Principal, Aercoustics Engineering Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Acoustical Equipment – Forte shell"The Diva acoustical shell in our auditorium is phenomenal – it’s a singer’s dream. The shell makes the acoustics strong and live, so our musicians can hear better and produce a better sound. You can hear well anywhere onstage – there are no dead spots. Being able to hear other parts helps unify the sound."
— Robin Rogers, Choral Director. Charleston County School of the Arts, North Charleston, South Carolina
Acoustical Equipment – Forte ceilings & Legacy towers"Sound projects much better with the Forte shell – it helps immensely. Our students now feel like they’re playing in a professional venue. The shell’s wood finish looks awesome and coordinates with the auditorium’s interior. We love it! The Forte shell is typically handled by two or three people in half an hour; we’ve got the process down pretty fast. Several times I’ve done it alone in less than an hour. The clouds hang from the rigging and setting them up is relatively easy."
— Josh Greubel, Band Director, Central High School, De Witt, Iowa
"Acoustics: The acoustics are amazing! For the audience, the volume and sound clarity both improved significantly. Musically trained people can pick out instruments they could not hear before. At our previous venue, sound would get lost in the fly loft. Shell Setup: Setting up the Legacy shell is extraordinarily easy. We probably reconfigure it two or three times a month, for either school events or rentals. The Forte clouds are simple to set up and maintain. Storage: Storage was an important consideration because of the limited backstage space available. Being able to remove the Legacy shells from the stage area – and even the building if necessary – gives us a lot of flexibility."
— Steven Cline, Theatre Manager, St. Michael’s College School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Acoustical Equipment – Legacy shell"The acoustical effect of the Legacy shells and Forte ceiling panels is amazing. The Legacy shells are extremely easy to move, construct and place."
— Paul Pietrkiewicz, Head of Music and Drama, St. Michael’s College School, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Acoustical Equipment – Legacy shell"The Legacy shell has greatly improved our auditorium’s acoustics, providing a stunning "wall" of sound. Students, teachers and administrators made immediate, enthusiastic comments. Before the shell, sound would be lost in the curtains and lighting above the stage. The professional-looking Legacy shell gives our stage a handsome appearance. Handling the shell is extremely fast and easy."
— Gregory Leet, K-12 Music Teacher, Schutz American School, Alexandria, Egypt
Acoustical Equipment – Legacy shell"The new Legacy shell has completely transformed the auditorium. Sound now projects into the audience instead of just sitting onstage. The shell is used a lot for concerts, rehearsals and other events, in part because it sets up so easily, in only 20 minutes."
— Anthony H. Bailey, Director of Bands, Hart High School, Newhall, California
Acoustical Equipment – Legacy shell"The Legacy shell works very well. For the audience, the sound was richer, louder and prettier - especially from the younger, more hesitant players and singers. The students were delighted that the shell helped them hear each other much better. They could self-correct more easily and be more confident in their contributions."
— Sherry McClelland, Dean of Academics and Arts, Associacao Escola Graduada de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Acoustical Equipment – Travelmaster shell"I can put up and take down the Legacy Acoustical Shell by myself – it’s wonderful! It makes a huge difference in the auditorium – students hear themselves better and their sound also projects much better."
— Susan Scheibler, Fine Arts Coordinator & Choir Director, Blue Valley Southwest High School, Overland Park, Kansas
"We really like our Travelmaster shell. It helps unify our choir, which can number up to 90 voices, by enabling everyone to hear each other better. As an alto located the middle, hearing all the parts gives me more security about my own. Audience members also noticed the improvement. In our selection process, Wenger’s reputation for quality was important."
— Madonna Geibe, Alto/Librarian,Edina Chorale, Edina, Minnesota
Standing Risers"I can handle the Signature risers myself and I’m just five feet tall. For that type of equipment, which supports a lot of people, I think that’s amazing."
— Susan Scheibler, Fine Arts Coordinator & Choir Director, Blue Valley Southwest High School, Overland Park, Kansas
"We use Signature risers daily in our choir room and we roll them to the auditorium for concerts. Setting them up is a piece of cake – they’re wonderful! Wenger makes awesome, solid products that stand the test of time. I’ve seen knock-off risers from other companies; I don’t care for their design or stability."
— Robin Rogers, Choral Director, Charleston County School of the Arts, North Charleston, South Carolina
Theatre"Everyone’s raved about the Wenger seating – both the comfort level and attractiveness. We love them! We evaluated seating from five manufacturers and Wenger was our unanimous choice."
— Dr. Tracy Doyle, Music Department Chair, Adams State College, Alamosa, Colorado
Theatre – Fixed Audience Seating"We chose the Upper Deck system because I trust Wenger. They also provided good service, making some design adjustments I requested."
— Michael T. Thorsen, Principal, Barbara Ingram School of the Arts, Hagerstown, Maryland
Theatre – Makeup Stations"With the renovation of our theater, we were very focused on the comfort and overall experience of our patrons. Wenger installed more than 300 seats under a tight deadline, working closely with the general contractor. The seats look great, operate quietly and are solidly built. They provide a clear, comfortable view of the stage - there isn’t a bad seat in the house."
— Richard Ortner, President, The Boston Conservatory, Boston, Massachusetts
Theatre – Portable Audience Chairs"The Backstage Makeup Stations provide a professional solution when we need extra capacity."
— Keith Harris, Theatre Facilities Manager & Scenic Designer, University of Wisconsin – Parkside, Kenosha, Wisconsin
"We’re really happy with the Portable Audience Chairs – they’re comfortable and good-looking. I like how the chairs latch together and the seat folds up automatically."
— Keith Harris, Theatre Facilities Manager & Scenic Designer, University of Wisconsin – Parkside, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Platforms"The Wenger Seated Risers help bring out the sound of our brass section in rehearsals and concerts. I’ve really enjoyed using them. They’re solidly built but user-friendly; our students can handle them."
— Gordon Haney, Band Director, Aldine Middle School, Aldine, Texas
Platforms"We use our Wenger platforms in different heights and configurations; I feel like the kids are safe dancing on them. Setting them up is pretty quick and painless and, like everything else, they’re sturdy. They are great!"
— Susan Scheibler, Fine Arts Coordinator & Choir Director, Blue Valley Southwest High School, Overland Park, Kansas
Platforms"Wenger staging is great – we’ve used it more than 20 years. We own approximately 110 decks in a variety of sizes. I love how Wenger is always improving its products, like the new Versalite leg clamp, and I also appreciate the custom options. Wenger’s customer service is wonderful."
— Rogan Girard, Rigger/Master Carpenter, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos, California
Platforms"We use Wenger staging almost daily around our facility, including auditorium, lobby, banquet rooms and outdoors. It’s easy to handle, extremely flexible and has held up well over the years. We’ll continue choosing Wenger."
— Tom Hamilton, Technical Operations Director, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos, California
Pit Cover"Our two choir rooms each have a set of Wenger risers that are used daily. They’re very easy to work with and reconfigure in many different ways. At concerts we use 4’ x 8’ platforms for choreography."
— Robin Rogers, Choral Director, Charleston County School of the Arts, North Charleston, South Carolina
Pit Cover"The STRATA Pit Filler gives us a lot of flexibility and is great to work with. It’s very easy to take off decks and put them back on, and also build traps. The large open space beneath is also useful for storage. I’ve seen other pit fillers with complicated, heavy superstructure that takes a small army to handle."
— Michael Duncan, Arts Center Manager, Oconomowoc Arts Center, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Pit Cover"The Strata Pit Filler is great – we’ve been completely satisfied. It’s much less expensive than a hydraulic lift system and a better solution for us. Other pit filler systems looked potentially dangerous and time-consuming to work with. With the Strata, we can pull out individual sections while the remaining pit fillers continue to be structurally sound. We routinely remove sections to create false platforms or traps and even to build staircases leading down to pit."
— Mike Nicolai, Technical Director, Oconomowoc Arts Center, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
"Our orchestra pit cover is gorgeous; the wood is stained to match the front of the stage."
— Susan Scheibler, Fine Arts Coordinator & Choir Director, Blue Valley Southwest High School, Overland Park, Kansas
