Statement on status of Copelands.

[Dale]

I have been in touch with Michael and am providing this statement about the status of his whistle-making. These words are written in the 3rd person, but they are mostly Michael's words.

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I can’t imagine the day when Michael Copeland would never make another whistle. That is a part of him that can’t be separated from the rest of who he is, body OR soul. But we all make changes from time to time. Things that become different often become better as well.

As 2006 eased into 2007, the partnership between Michael Copeland and Jim Rementer came to a mutually positive end. Michael continued to make and sell whistles in his own workshop with behind-the-scenes assistance from his companion, Pamela Mark. Jim’s company, Genesis Computing, had always been the server for www.copelandwoodwinds.com , so he was kind enough to keep it in place for Michael’s use, with a link that sent customers directly to Michael’s email and virtual office. Communication between Michael and the whistlers of the world was about the same as in previous years, but on a personal level, better because he was able to read so many emails himself, that in the previous system would have gone directly to the Rementer office. That website domain has remained the property of Jim Rementer.

When the time came for the Copeland workshop and household to relocate to Pennsylvania, a notice was posted on the website that the shop would be closed for a time, to allow for these extensive transitions.

Many things took place during that time. Significant things. Michael Copeland and Pamela Mark became a new kind of team and neither of them had to travel to work anymore. Michael’s workshop is now right outside Pam’s back door, and her two kids are delighted to have Michael at their dinner table!

Something else that was happening was that Michael was taking a good hard look at where Copeland Woodwinds had been, and exactly where it was that he wanted to go.

To bring more music into the world is a big part of what makes Michael Copeland whole. He loves making the whistles, and thoroughly delights in interacting with all the marvelous people he meets as a result. They are countless, reside in all parts of the world, and have some fabulous and fascinating stories to share! They make his day, every day, and many times over again.

One thing that was found to be quite stressful was the endless rushing to fill more whistle orders than was physically possible. No matter how hard he worked, there was no end in sight to the list of eager players seeking Copelands. Unfilled orders were a constant source of strain.

After two years of wishful waiting, a batch of sterling silver whistles were the first made in the new workshop, and are making their way to some of the most patient people on the planet! This was very exciting and satisfying! There is still a list of Copeland "waiters" that have not been forgotten.

Taking some quiet time to meditate on it, the future vision is finally coming into an image that can be shared. Since the time the big relocation process was put into motion, Jim Rementer had been receiving an excess of emails from people trying to understand where Michael was and how to reach him. To divert this flood of emails, Jim changed the post on the web site, and posted a note on a forum stating his understanding of Michael’s activities.

To say that Copeland Woodwinds is 100% closed for business is not fully accurate, but there is truth there as well. Michael is not taking orders. To avoid the “impossible to catch up” stress, Michael will make whistles of his own choosing and at his own relaxed pace. When they are complete, they will be made known and buyers will be found. Of course, until the existing wait list has been satisfied, first courtesy will be offered to those people. In addition to making whistles, Michael will also be taking some time for developing and experimentation, as well as collaborating on a few special projects. He will still take in repairs on existing whistles that may roll off the table or need an occasional vocal tweak.

SO…….

Michael looks forward to making whistles for many years to come, but they will be fewer and more difficult to find than any of us wishes. The official “Copeland Woodwinds Co.” no longer exists in its previous form. Michael will always soothe his soul by spending productive hours in his shop. But as he searches for a method for the business side of whistle making that is not so hard on his sparkling and delightful outlook on all things around him, the unfortunate side effect will be fewer whistles and a more difficult time finding them. Let’s just keep a sense of “wait and see” without declaring an irreversible end of all Copeland whistles for all time. This is a great time in Michael’s personal life, joyful and well deserved! This new batch of sterling whistles are pure Michael Copeland and just may be his best yet. It’s time to embrace the unknowns of the future, while helping to make the world a more musical place.

Michael's email address is copelandwoodwinds
at
yahoo dot com

Mailing address

PO Box 305 Lima, PA 19037

[rebl_rn]

Thank you so much for the update, Dale. It's good to hear that Copelands haven't totally gone away. How do we now get in touch with Michael to get a repair? I have one that has needed a small repair for a while now that I have been putting off but really want to get it done.

[Dale]

Thank you so much for the update, Dale. It's good to hear that Copelands haven't totally gone away. How do we now get in touch with Michael to get a repair? I have one that has needed a small repair for a while now that I have been putting off but really want to get it done.

I updated the post above to provide email and snail mail addressi.

[ahogrelius]

Does anyone know if the Copelands has problems with their email? I sent my Silver whistle back for a checkup and asked Michael to drop me a line when he received it. I know that the parcel was picked up as it was sent as registered mail with tracking but I haven't heard anything from the Copelands yet.

Cheers,
Anders

[Dave Parkhurst]

Wow! Shows how long I have been living in a cave.... and here I was toying with the idea of ordering a low A from him......

[Loren]

You have clearly been in a Cave for a very, very long time my friend......

Loren

[PhilO]

Wow, all the old-timers surely are coming out of their respective caves.

Hi Parky, how are ya? As Karma would have it, I was just playing my old and beautiful and mellow Parkhurst D/C. Hope all is well.

And hello Loren, long time.

I feel fortuneate to have a darn near full set of Michael's whistles and am happy that he can enjoy some degree of repose...

Philo

[amar]

haha...darn, I just wrote him on myspace, saying I'd like to order a lowF...I really would like more Copelands, I love my lowD and Bb...

[Flyingcursor]

I knew I shouldn't have sold mine before the price went up.

[MTGuru]

A recent transaction: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=73115

[MTGuru]

Chiffer Jim Caputo (JTC111) notes that Michael is now selling new high D whistles again on eBay, under the ID thewindweavers

Thanks, Jim!

[deisman]

For anyone trying to reach him I was able to contact Michael at : mdcopeland at g mail dot com

Best,

Deisman

[Whistling Pops]

Did Copeland make high D whistles in any material other than brass, nickel, or silver?

[Cubitt]

Can someone tell me what a nickel Copeland high D goes for these days?

[kkrell]

Can someone tell me what a nickel Copeland high D goes for these days?

Michael has been selling them on eBay recently for $340. His ID is "thewindweavers"

http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d ... llFeedback