Artists

You’ll find Stork mouthpieces being played in every major orchestra throughout the USA and around the world. As proud as we are that these great musicians chose our mouthpieces, our guiding principle throughout our 35 years in business has been to treat every player that calls us in the same way – as the most important player in the world.

“I’ve been exclusively using Stork mouthpieces for over 20 years now. They make my job much easier because of their extraordinary efficiency. They work well in our hall in Boston with a unique and beautiful clarity of sound. Additionally, the Stork family is very kind and very easy to work with. They treat my students every bit as well as they treat older and more established professionals.”

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Thomas Rolfs

Principal Trumpet, Boston Symphony Orchestra

“John and Phyllis were incredibly helpful when I went through a recent equipment change. Meeting with Phyllis in person at their shop was worth every mile and minute it took to get there. Not only did she set me up with mouthpieces that allow me to more easily play with my sound: In our sessions in person and over the phone, she made insightful observations that were tremendously helpful with some issues I was working through in my playing. In the end I ended up with something slightly different than what we had thought might be the end result. She remained flexible and open minded throughout the process until I had something that worked. I have had many students who have also worked with The Storks and their approach is exactly the same. Thanks John and Phyllis!”

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Benjamin Wright

Second Trumpet, Boston Symphony Orchestra

“The first time I tried a Stork mouthpiece, I knew it was a game changer for me. The feel of the rim was just right for me, which was something I had never considered before, and with my newfound comfort, playing became easier, more natural and allowed me to truly put my sound and style out there. John and Phyllis are extremely easy to work with, and are eager to help me find the equipment that works best for me.”

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Stuart Stephenson

Principal Trumpet, Dallas Symphony Orchestra

“I wouldn’t play any other mouthpiece than a Stork. Quality and craftsmanship aside, Stork mouthpieces slot and play so much easier than any other manufacturer. I am constantly amazed at the quality of your products! ”

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Hedley Benson

BBC Scottish Symphony
(pictured with Mark O’Keefe)

“There is nobody more meticulous in the art of mouthpiece building than John Stork. The quality and precision of the work he has done for me, whether it be his stock models or my own custom design have always been consistent and reliable. It is his dedication to detail and his understanding of brass players’ performance issues that define his vision and set him apart.”

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Lee Bracegirdle

Associate Principal Horn, Sydney Symphony Orchestra (Retired)

“I have been using Stork Custom Mouthpieces for more than 20 years. In all that time I have only experienced perfect craftsmanship and mouthpieces. Every time I have been looking for a new or different color in my sound or help with range or pitch issues, they have come up with a solution for me.

I’m a true believer in the ¨right tool for the right job¨ and I can’t recommend Stork Custom Mouthpieces enough. (To be honest, their mouthpieces have saved my skin many times in my position as principal trumpet!)”

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Kjell-Åke Andersson

Principal trumpet, Copenhagen Philharmonic (Retired)

“I’ve been playing bass trombone for over 50 years and the Stork BT 1.5 series mouthpieces will give you a centered, slotted sound and project to the back of the hall with ease. The quick response and immediate feed-back is phenomenal. Thank you John and Phyllis”

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Sonny Hernandez

MM, Music Education, UNLV; BA, Music Education, Fresno State, CA

“Stork Mouthpieces have been a part of my standard equipment since I first played them at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in 2009. I currently use the Vacchiano 2B+ as my primary workhorse for almost all of my horns, but also use the SP4 for my piccolos, and the 2FL for my flugelhorn. I love the comfort and playability of Stork Mouthpieces. I feel that their design truly helps me bring color, vibrancy, and nuance to my playing with a spinning sound that fits every ensemble. I would not be the player I am today without Stork Mouthpieces.”

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Dr. J. Peyden Shelton

Associate Professor of Trumpet and Associate Director at the University of Utah School of Music

Larry Jess, Principal Trumpet of the Spokane Symphony since 1975, is a founding member of the Spokane Jazz Society and performs with the Spokane Falls Brass Band, Cathedral Brass, Clarion, and Brass Works. He has also toured with Gunther Schuller’s New England Ragtime Ensemble.

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Larry Jess

Principal Trumpet

“I rely on Phyllis and John Stork for all of my mouthpiece needs, and have learned much through our relationship. Together we have developed a linked set of mouthpieces for my core Schilke horns as well as my collection of vintage cornets and flugelhorns. Phyllis guided me to the perfect mouthpiece – something that I never would have thought of – when I returned to playing my large bore Schilke X4L trumpet after a decade off the instrument. She did that by taking the time to learn who I was as a player, subtly teaching me along the way.

“And John?! I have lost count of the number of custom mouthpieces that he has crafted to match my vintage instruments! I searched for years for a living maker to work with after Frank Zottola died. With Phyllis and John I have found a new homebase, where I can ask questions – ‘What would happen if?’ – and develop custom solutions to deeply dovetail with my creative essence. I am a big fan of Stork Custom Mouthpieces!”

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Stephen Haynes

Principal Trumpet