The history of Schmitt Music begins over 120 years ago, when in 1890, the Century Piano Company of Minneapolis brought Paul A. Schmitt from New York to manage its sheet music business. Six years later, in 1896, Paul A. Schmitt resigned from the Century Piano Company to open his own business at 606 Nicollet in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota.
His business underwent several changes in location during the next few years. Between 1925 and 1929, Robert A. Schmitt, Paul's son, joined the company, and Paul sold all his assets to the Paul A. Schmitt Company, becoming its first president.
Robert A. Schmitt became president after his father's death in 1935. During the 1930's and 40's the company expanded to include a full line of musical instruments, records, accessories, and related products. In 1945, pianos were added to the inventory, and electronic organs just a year later.
In January of 1958, Robert P. Schmitt, grandson of the founder of the company, became its president, allowing his parents Robert A. and Margaret H. Schmitt to retire as active employees in 1972. Under Robert P. Schmitt's energetic leadership, a new program of expansion began with multiple store locations.
In 1985 Robert P. Schmitt's son, and great-grandson of the founder, Thomas M. Schmitt, became president of Schmitt Music, continuing the leadership of the company into the fourth generation. With 15 locations, Schmitt Music is now one of the largest and most respected full-service music retailers in America.
There are 9 Schmitt Music stores in Minnesota: six in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area, and others in Duluth, Rochester and Virginia, MN. We also have 6 stores in 6 others states: Fargo, ND; Sioux Falls, SD; Eau Claire, WI; Omaha, NE; Overland Park, KS; and Denver, CO.
Today, Schmitt Music specializes in pianos, keyboards, guitars & amps, band & orchestra instruments, and printed music. We give over 3500 lessons each week in our stores, and help more than 10,000 children join their band or orchestra each year! Schmitt Music stores also offer the services of approximately 40 technicians who repair and service thousands of instruments each year.
This year also marks Schmitt Music's 50th Anniversary as a Steinway & Sons piano dealer! We're proud to represent Steinway in every market where we do business. You can shop some of our current Steinway inventory online - CLICK HERE!
Our mission is to become our customers' preferred resource for everything they need as they pursue their musical dreams. Visit your Schmitt Music store today! Click here to view our locations.
