For years, the identities of the Mount Vernon and Lisbon communities have been heavily defined by their love of music. This harmonious legacy is made possible not only by local artists, but also by the tinkerers who help to keep these musicians’ instruments in-tune.
Mike Livingston, who moved to Mount Vernon two years ago, is one such repairman. Upon settling in town, he opened Mt. Vernon Repair Shop, which operates out of his home. Through his business, Livingston bolsters and supports the community’s passion for music by making instrument repairs according to client needs and selling instruments that have been revitalized.
Although he offers a broad range of services that may vary depending on an instrument’s condition, Livingston said repairs tend to fall in one of three categories: the first of which being play condition repairs. These are quick fixes that seek to isolate and resolve a specific problem or abnormality with the equipment.
A step beyond play condition fixes are clean, oil and adjust (COA) repairs, which are essentially “spa treatments” for one’s instrument. With COAs, Livingston completely disassembles the instrument to clean each of its individual pieces. As he puts it back together, he then adds oil and replaces any faulty felts, corks or pads; that is, to ensure a smooth performance and proper functionality later on.
The third, most extensive type of repair Livingston regularly provides is a repad, which he recommends to clients when they purchase an instrument secondhand or if they have not used the equipment for a few years.
Similar to a COA, Livingston disassembles and thoroughly cleans the instrument, but the major difference is that all pads and additional materials are replaced. He also makes a thorough inspection of the body tube to ensure there are no bent keys or other damages.
Although Livingston is best known locally as an instrument repairman and a reliable provider of equipment, he is also a musician; which is a title he has held for most of his life.
“Music was in my family,” he said. “My father played, my brothers played, so I kind of grew up with music just sort of being part of the fabric of life.”
Livingston — who is originally from upstate New York — said that growing up, his childhood home was widely understood to be the “neighborhood rock band rehearsal space.” Beyond enjoying music as a hobby, he spent his middle and high school years studying the saxophone and playing in concerts as well as local festivals.
Following years of playing the saxophone in middle and high school, Livingston attended the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, N. Y.. After graduating, he spent a short time working as an apprentice under an instrument repair technician; that is, before he spent nearly two decades on tour playing in Broadway shows and festivals.
Along the way, Livingston further taught himself how to repair his own instruments. He also fixed up some equipment for his colleagues and even purchased old instruments from pawn shops to refurbish;. Each of these experiences combined with a former job with KB Saxophone Services in New York gave him the confidence to open his own business.
“It’s like a puzzle to me,” he said. “I’m a problem solver, I like working with my hands, and I think I can approach repairs as a performer. I know exactly what it should feel like and how it should respond, and I can playtest all of these instruments at a high level.”
In addition to his work with the Mount Vernon Repair Shop, Livingston teaches private music lessons through Music Works Iowa at the First Street Community Center. He emphasized that regardless of whether he is making repairs or teaching, he does everything in his power to ensure he is receptive to his client’s needs.
“Listening is a skill you have as a professional musician,” he said. “You’re listening to those around you and fitting in with them, and I think that applies to teaching very much with understanding where the student is at in life that particular day, but also with repair…if you listen to the human and understand where they’re coming from, you might see a bigger picture of what the instrument needs to fit into their life.”
As band and orchestra season approaches for local school districts, Livingston is excited to continue working with students, families and band directors to ensure the upcoming academic year is a resounding success in the realm of music. Kristin Anderson, who teaches choir, band and general music at Mount Vernon Middle School, is one of many customers who recommends Livingston’s services.
“Mike has repaired and tuned up pretty much all of my personal instruments…I like to go to him because he’s super fast, reasonably priced and does a really great job,” she said.
For more information about Mt. Vernon Repair Shop and to reach out to Livingston with requests, visit https://mikelivingston.net/mt-vernon-repair-shop/. Private woodwind lessons may also be booked with him at musicworksiowa.com.