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Cadenza Music Cadenza Music has been in the same neighborhood of Saint Paul since it was founded in 1974 by former owner, Eugene Monnig. Formerly "Harry Blon's Music Center, " Monnig purchased the music store and continued the business of providing musical instruments for purchase and lease, instrument repair, sheet music, accessories and music lessons to the Twin Cities community.

Since then Cadenza Music has quadrupled its square footage, adding a larger repair shop, more private and group lesson studios, a recital space, and an expanded inventory of products.
Services
Cadenza leases high quality Yamaha brass and woodwind instruments, from student to advance models, so your student has the perfect instrument for where they are on their musical journey. From student to advance models, Cadenza leases high quality orchestral string instruments from Amati's Fine Instruments.
Lessons are billed at the beginning of the month. First, select a teacher (or let us help you find one) and we will connect you to find a time for your weekly lesson. Then, we will send you a one-time registration fee of $35 and an invoice for the upcoming month.
Good quality repair work is tied to the success or failure of the musician, whether you're a beginner or a professional. We have professional instrument repair technicians, repairing brass, woodwind, and all types of stringed instruments. Brass instruments get dirty. The constant passage of warm, wet air through an instrument means that regular cleaning is a must.
Reviews (17)
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Susie Sooze
Apr 12, 2022
Seriously, the staff are so kind and helpful! You can tell they love their job and music!
Bandicoot Thundersnatch
Nov 14, 2021
Lovvveeee this place. only been in a couple times, but the folks here are always so nice, and the variety of inventory is siiiiick!
Jennifer Graff
May 22, 2021
Great selection of music books, helpful staff, following covid guidelines
Sathert
Apr 29, 2021
Really nice people to work with. I just got an Alvarez AP-66 guitar from them and the instrument is beautiful, was set up just right. Wonderful place!
Karen Spitzfaden
Dec 25, 2019
Do not take large instruments to be repaired or tuned up here. My tuba was scratched during a routine cleaning, and I deeply regret entrusting this place to care for my most important possession.
Mary S.
Feb 09, 2019
This place is amazing! i took lessons here when i was a kid and still stop in for supplies when i'm in the twin cities. highly recommend cadenza!
Mitch Grussing
Jun 15, 2017
This store is a gem! As a piano teacher, it's nice to have such a reliably well stocked store available when I'm picking up materials on my way to work. The staff are super friendly and helpful, too.
Ken Keate
May 04, 2016
Their instrument repair folks are first rate. They advise me when a repair would not be worth it. They do excellent work on my euphonium. It comes in on time and on budget!
Dean Cummings
Feb 15, 2016
A surprisingly well stocked local music store. Highly recommended! Stop here before leaving the neighborhood.
J. S.
Jan 24, 2015
Nice nice store-- Good prices, decent selection, good advice from friendly staff. Parking isn't great but it's always possible to find a space. I've only had limited lessons in guitar, from their teachers but those were competent friendly and fun. I'm a lousy student so that's to their credit too--they can teach an ijiot like me.
Jay S.
Jan 12, 2015
Love Buffy the trumpet teacher! She always has something positive to say about our kid and the trumpet playing is definitely improving.
Chris Parker
Jan 31, 2014
These folks are the best! Their prices are right in line with the Web, their instructors are brilliant, yet patient with those of us who are not, and their repair department shines! Super nice people, every one of them.
Sean McGibbon
Jan 07, 2013
I'm with the Buddy Holly Story national tour that stopped in St. Paul. I brought in my sax at 11am needing same day, emergency repair for a show later that night. The staff was wonderful and Jean replaced 4 pads and recorked the neck on my sax for a more than reasonable price. This place is professional, quick, and courteous. Highly recommend!
Jessica T.
Dec 06, 2012
Last year we were "thrilled" to find out our 10 year old wanted to play the saxaphone in the school band. We stopped into Cadenza and had the best experience. We rented an alto sax and the nicest guy ever explained what my son would need. When you rent an instrument for the school year, you pay in full up front. The guy made it clear that you won't pay a penalty if it's past the May deadline because schools have end of the year concerts etc.

Near the end of the year we got a card in the mail telling us if we paid for next years rental we could keep the instrument over the summer for free. We did that. Also, a rental includes a yearly "tune up". While the sax was in the shop, our son announced he needed it TODAY for school. Of course. I called the store and talked to the woman who was repairing it. "Oh I'm working on it now, I could have it for you in 20 mins." Perfect
Alice W.
Dec 15, 2009
Thank God for difficult parking. After a quick stop on Snelling, we were going to head to Highland, to a used instrument shop for a guitar for our daughter, who's been asking for one for years, so she must be serious, right? But it's Saturday, twelve days before Christmas, and parking's a bugger, so we drive further down Snelling, and wind up right in front of. Cadenza Music. Well, might as well try it, right?

Wonder of wonder. Me: Do you have any used guitars? Joe [really--Joe]: We have a few, but some of our used are real high-end and more expensive than new--is it cost you're asking for? Me: Yep--we're shopping for an 11-year old girl. Joe (beaming): Oh, well, we've got exactly what you need, then. And they did: A new three-quarter-sized acoustic guitar (tan, rich dark wood, red, or black), music stand, guitar case, picks, music book, and three lessons, all for $179.00.

We briefly fretted about the three-quarter size, as our daughter is nearly adult-sized, but realized there's no point giving her something that may turn her away from the instrument, even if that means replacing this one in a few years. If she gets frustrated with an adult-size now, we've blown the money anyway, right? Miracle of Miracles. Joe has a calm authority that's not pushy, but makes you feel confident in your purchase.

He tuned the guitar, picked out pink picks for the girl, explained pros and cons of a variety of music books, and thoughtfully considered his recommendations for music teachers from among their staff based on our descriptions of our daughter. In short, he simply made this task painless. And quick. Quick and painless. Who knew lousy parking leads straight to the promised land?
Kathy C.
Nov 09, 2007
I got my clarinet serviced here back in the day.they were always super nice and knowledgeable. Now that I dug it out of storage I am going to take it back there for a recorking. They are old but they are the best!
Ninja S.
Apr 03, 2007
Every other kid I ever knew growing up had an instrument from Cadenza and usually supplemental instruction from an instructor found through here as well. People who are passionate about what they love are the best people to work with and that is who you will find in the employ of this business.