About Rice Clarinet Works
We are clarinetist with many years of performing and clarinet repair experience, so we know exactly how a great instrument should play and feel. This results in a better adjusted, easier to play, and ultimately a better sounding clarinet.
Why Send your Clarinet to Us?
Because we specialize in clarinet, we don’t have to divide our attention and resources among other instruments and projects. Because we have little overhead, we can buy all of the latest materials and tools, and because we are clarinetists, we know exactly how a clarinet should be set-up for players of different skill levels. All of this translates to a better adjusted, easier to play, and ultimately a better sounding clarinet.
If you’re planning on having your clarinet overhauled or restored, consider the fact that our services are the same price or less expensive than others, but include all of the following…
| Repair Service | Rice Clarinet Works | Most Others |
|---|---|---|
| Free choice of pads | cork, leather or synthetic | Not included – usually $50 extra |
| High Tech Materials | Yes | not included/not available |
| Nylon Inserts – Reduce friction and key play | Yes | not included/not available |
| Logo Restoration | Yes | not included/not available |
| Silver Key Polishing | Yes | not included |
| Expert Regulation and Adjustment | Yes – Master’s Degree in Clarinet Performance | Most repairmen are not clarinetists |
| Extensive Play Testing |
Wesley Rice
Wesley Rice holds a Bachelor of Music degree from The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Clarinet Performance and a Master of Music degree from West Virginia University in Clarinet Performance. He was awarded the assistantship for clarinet and aural theory from West Virginia University and the Martha and William Bill Memorial Prize for Woodwinds from the Peabody Institute.
Wesley has been restoring, repairing, and maintaining woodwind instruments, mainly clarinets, since 2003. He has repaired the clarinets of many symphony and freelance clarinetists from across the country and around the world. Wesley has restored clarinets for members of the Navy Band, Naval Academy Band, and Marine Band. He also performs repairs and overhauls for students from The Peabody Conservatory, West Virginia University, Cincinnati College-Conservatory, Ithaca College, and their surrounding areas.
From 2009 to 2010, Wesley worked with Conn-Selmer (Leblanc) as a professional clarinet tester in Elkhart, Indiana. Currently, Wesley resides in Princess Anne, Maryland, where he runs his clarinet repair/restoration and parts manufacture business full-time.
Josh Snively is a clarinetist, instrument repairman, and composer/producer. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music from the University of Delaware, both for Clarinet Performance.
As a performer, he has traveled across the United States and to Europe. From 2018-2022, he held a Clarinet position in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard Band of the Northeast, serving as Music Librarian and Arranger. His music and productions are featured in web shows, short films, academic recitals, and international conferences with ensembles of all levels.
His instrument repair work started as an internship for his high school’s STEM program, and combined his love for engineering mechanics and music. His work continued through his performance studies, working on instruments for his schools’ music departments and steadily growing his freelance trade.
In his freetime Josh enjoys longboarding, snowboarding, boating, painting, and exploring video game sound design.
Outside of work, Carrie enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family.
Ollie and Dexter Rice
Ollie and Dexter are the resident shop dogs of Rice Clarinet Works. Ollie is eight, and Dexter is seven. They are border collies who love to run, play ball, and look after their chickens.