Schmitt Music
Schmitt Music is a privately held American musical-instrument retailer and service company serving the upper Midwest.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Schmitt Music is an American musical-instrument retailer founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1896 by Paul A. Schmitt. The business began as a print-music retailer and developed over time into a regional provider of instruments, music materials, accessories, education, and technical services. Its assortment includes acoustic and digital pianos, band and orchestra instruments, sheet music, and related accessories. The company also provides piano moving and storage, instrument repair, and music instruction, giving it a broader role than a conventional storefront retailer. The company expanded its merchandise range during the 1930s, adding a full line of musical instruments as well as radios, records, and other accessories. This diversification reflected the changing ways in which households encountered and purchased music during the twentieth century. Schmitt Music subsequently became associated with piano retail and with support for school, community, and individual musicians across the upper Midwest. One of the company’s best-known physical landmarks was its downtown Minneapolis location on South 10th Street. The store moved there in 1939, and the building later became recognized for the large musical-note mural on its exterior. The mural was completed in 1972 after Minneapolis civic beautification efforts and a suggestion attributed to journalist Barbara Flanagan. It depicts musical material associated with Maurice Ravel’s “Scarbo,” from Gaspard de la Nuit. The wall also entered popular-culture history after being used as a backdrop for promotional photographs of Prince in 1977. Schmitt Music moved its headquarters to Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, in 2001 and later relocated the headquarters to Bloomington, Minnesota, in 2022. The company operates nine stores in five Midwestern states, with locations in Bloomington, Anoka, Duluth, Rochester, and Virginia in Minnesota; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Fargo, North Dakota; Omaha, Nebraska; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Its regional footprint combines retail locations with services intended to support instrument ownership over the life of a product. Industry recognition has included the Steinway & Sons Partners in Performance Award in 2003, Steinway & Sons Dealer of the Year in 2011, and Kawai Dealer of the Year in 2012. These awards indicate recognition from major piano manufacturers for dealer performance, although the available reference material does not provide the specific judging criteria or commercial figures. Schmitt Music remains an active, privately held regional retailer rather than a publicly traded national chain. No reliable information in the supplied sources identifies a current chief executive, ownership structure, annual revenue, or official website URL.
History
Schmitt Music traces its origins to 1896, when Paul A. Schmitt established the Paul A. Schmitt Music Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The original business concentrated on printed music, placing it within the retail tradition that supplied scores and instructional material to households, teachers, performers, and community musicians. Over its long history, the company broadened its role from a print-music seller into a general music retailer and service provider. During the 1930s, Schmitt Music expanded its inventory to include a full range of musical instruments, radios, records, and other accessories. This was a significant change in business scope: rather than focusing primarily on printed repertoire, the company began serving customers across multiple stages of music consumption, from acquiring recordings and instruments to obtaining accessories and educational materials. The expanded assortment helped establish the basis for its later specialization in pianos, band instruments, orchestral instruments, and related services. The company’s Minneapolis history is also connected to a prominent exterior mural. Its downtown store moved to South 10th Street in 1939. In the early 1970s, as Minneapolis businesses participated in efforts to improve the appearance of the city, journalist Barbara Flanagan of the Minneapolis Star suggested decorating the large exterior wall with oversized, colorful musical notes. Company president Robert P. Schmitt agreed to the proposal. Completed in 1972, the mural represents “Scarbo,” a section of Maurice Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit. The wall later became widely recognizable and was used as the setting for promotional photographs of Prince in 1977. Schmitt Music continued as a regional music business while its headquarters changed locations. In 2001, the headquarters moved to Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. In 2022, it moved again, this time to Bloomington, Minnesota, where the company is headquartered according to the supplied reference. The business currently operates nine stores across five states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Minnesota locations include Bloomington, Anoka, Duluth, Rochester, and Virginia; additional stores are located in Eau Claire, Fargo, Omaha, and Sioux Falls. Its present business model combines product retail with services. The company sells acoustic and digital pianos, band and orchestra instruments, sheet music, and accessories. It also offers piano moving and storage, instrument repair, and music instruction. This combination allows Schmitt Music to participate in both the initial purchase and the continuing maintenance and use of musical instruments. The available reference material does not identify exact store opening dates, current senior leadership, ownership arrangements, revenue, or a verified official web address. The company has received recognition from major piano manufacturers. Steinway & Sons awarded Schmitt Music its Partners in Performance Award in 2003 and named it Dealer of the Year in 2011. Kawai named it Dealer of the Year in 2012. These honors provide evidence of recognition within the piano-dealer sector, but the supplied sources do not explain the detailed evaluation standards. Schmitt Music is described as active and privately held, with a continuing regional presence in the upper Midwest.
- 2022
Headquarters moves to Bloomington
[1]The company moved its headquarters from Brooklyn Center to Bloomington, Minnesota.
- 2012
Kawai Dealer of the Year
[1]Kawai named Schmitt Music its Dealer of the Year.
- 2011
Steinway Dealer of the Year
[1]Steinway & Sons recognized Schmitt Music as Dealer of the Year.
- 2003
Steinway Partners in Performance Award
[1]Steinway & Sons awarded Schmitt Music its Partners in Performance Award.
- 2001
Headquarters moves to Brooklyn Center
[1]Schmitt Music relocated its headquarters to Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
- 1977
Mural appears in Prince promotional photographs
[1]The Schmitt Music Wall became a backdrop for promotional photographs of Prince.
- 1972
Schmitt Music Wall mural completed
[1]A large exterior mural featuring colorful musical notes was completed on the South 10th Street building.
- 1939
Downtown Minneapolis store moves to South 10th Street
[1]The downtown Minneapolis location moved to South 10th Street, the site later associated with the Schmitt Music Wall mural.
- 1930
Merchandise expands beyond print music
[1]During the 1930s, the company added musical instruments, radios, records, and other accessories to its inventory.
- 1896
Company founded in Minneapolis
[1]Paul A. Schmitt founded the Paul A. Schmitt Music Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, initially as a print-music retailer.
Products and positioning
A regional, full-service music retailer combining instruments and sheet music with repair, instruction, and piano logistics for individual musicians, families, educators, and musical organizations.
Pianos
Acoustic pianos
Schmitt Music sells acoustic pianos as part of its core piano business. The supplied sources do not specify the complete brand range, model families, pricing, or current inventory. The company’s manufacturer recognitions from Steinway & Sons and Kawai indicate an established role in piano dealership.
Electronic instruments
Digital pianos
Digital pianos are among the company’s principal product categories. They extend Schmitt Music’s piano offering beyond traditional acoustic instruments, although the available reference does not identify specific manufacturers, technologies, or product lines.
Musical instruments
Band instruments
The retailer offers instruments used in concert, school, and marching bands. The reference does not provide a detailed instrument list, but identifies band instruments as a major part of the company’s assortment.
Musical instruments
Orchestra instruments
Schmitt Music sells orchestral instruments and related accessories. The category supports students, educators, ensembles, and individual performers across the company’s Midwestern retail territory.
Music publishing and retail materials · 1896
Sheet music
Sheet music is the company’s historical foundation, dating to its 1896 origin as a print-music retailer. It remains part of the broader assortment alongside instruments and services.
Accessories
Music accessories
The company sells accessories associated with musical instruments and music-making. The supplied reference does not enumerate individual accessory types or brands.
Brand decisions
2022
Headquarters relocation to BloomingtonStrategyBackground
After operating its headquarters in Brooklyn Center, Schmitt Music continued to adjust its physical footprint within the Minneapolis–Saint Paul region.
Action taken
The company relocated its headquarters to Bloomington, Minnesota.
2001
Headquarters relocation to Brooklyn CenterStrategyBackground
The company changed its headquarters location as its regional retail business continued to develop.
Action taken
Schmitt Music moved its headquarters from its earlier Minneapolis base to Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
Aftermath
Brooklyn Center served as the company’s headquarters until the later move to Bloomington in 2022.
1972
Commissioning of the Schmitt Music Wall muralOtherBackground
Minneapolis businesses were participating in efforts to beautify the city, and journalist Barbara Flanagan reportedly proposed using the large wall of the South 10th Street store for a colorful musical design.
Action taken
President Robert P. Schmitt approved the mural, which was completed with musical imagery based on “Scarbo” from Maurice Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit.
Aftermath
The mural became a recognizable Minneapolis landmark and later appeared in promotional photographs of Prince.
Recent events
- 2022
Schmitt Music headquarters relocates to Bloomington[1]
Other
The company moved its headquarters from Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, to Bloomington, Minnesota.
- 2012
Schmitt Music named Kawai Dealer of the Year[1]
Other
Kawai recognized Schmitt Music as its Dealer of the Year. The supplied material does not state the award’s detailed criteria.
- 2011
Schmitt Music receives Steinway & Sons Dealer of the Year recognition[1]
Other
Steinway & Sons named Schmitt Music its Dealer of the Year, recognizing the company’s performance as a Steinway dealer.
- 2003
Schmitt Music receives Steinway & Sons Partners in Performance Award[1]
Other
Schmitt Music was recognized by Steinway & Sons with its Partners in Performance Award. The available reference identifies the award but does not describe the selection process or any associated financial terms.
Sources1 sources
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