Stop into any one of our multiple locations across Southeast Wisconsin and you’ll find something special – from helpful and friendly sales associates to an extensive selection of musical instruments, accessories, and sheet music. Each location has a little different feel because it’s rooted in its community and school relationships. But we all share something in common – our core philosophy.
Southeast Wisconsin’s Local Music Store
Our Philosophy
Play it. Protect it. Learn it. Love it.
That’s our motto at White House of Music. Why the emphasis on the last one? Because that’s what music is all about. A passion, a drive, an expression of yourself. Helping you learn to play in and of itself is not our goal. Helping you Love it is the experience of creating Music for Life, and that’s our passion!
As you shop in one of our four retail stores, you’ll find signs throughout the displays that help you do just that. Our stores are organized to make sure you get everything you need to Play it. Protect it. Learn it. Love it.
As we’ve grown and expanded, we’ve brought Music for Life to each community we serve.
History of White House of Music
Your Community Music Store
When we started…we were Waukesha’s community music store. Now, we are your community music store. Whether you live in Waukesha, Brookfield, Watertown, West Bend, or any of the surrounding communities, White House of Music has become a household name in large part due to our school relationships and band and orchestra rental programs. The commitment to the community started years ago with the first generation White and continues today. Learn more about our beginnings and growth since 1953!
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In 1953, band director Bruce White, along with Bob Sommers, started our first store, Waukesha House of Music in downtown Waukesha.
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In 1961, Jerry White joined the business and bought out Bruce’s portion in 1963, enabling Bruce to return to full-time teaching. Jerry changed the name of the business to White House of Music, Inc. and spent the next 23 years building and improving the business.
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In 1967, Roger White joined the staff as a salesperson with the responsibility of developing the school music business. After 25 years of service to the company, Jerry White decided to retire, and Roger purchased his portion of the business. Shortly after Roger became president, the White House of Music merged with its longtime, friendly competitor, The Waukesha Music Center. Inventory was moved to the Grand Avenue location in 1987.
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In November 1992, White House of Music moved into a 20,000 square foot, custom-designed building on Springdale Road near the Interstate.
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Around that time, White House added a second location in Watertown to maintain a stronghold in the company’s band and orchestra division as well as capitalize on the growing community and its needs for musical products and services. White House of Music has been a presence in the Watertown area since 1968, through its service to the area schools.
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In July 2001, Christopher acquired the remaining shares of White House of Music and became its president and CEO. Tracy White was named Secretary and Roger and Lynn White remained on the Board of Directors.
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In June 2007, White House of Music merged with their long-time competitor, Beihoff Music Company, which was founded in 1924. This added locations in Germantown and Wauwatosa. With the merger, White House of Music broadened its reach within the eight-county greater metropolitan Milwaukee region, while also strengthening and enhancing the services and products available to customers at each of the five retail locations.
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In 2016, White House of Music acquired the retail, rental, and repair operation of Hartland Music, offering band and orchestra rentals and products directly to the Hartland community, which has a great tradition of supporting music education. In early 2021, White House of Music merged its retail section at Hartland with the Waukesha store and Hartland Piano expanded their piano showroom.
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In July 2019 Chris White was nominated for an eight year term with the NAMM Executive Committee.
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In 2022, White House of Music moved its Wauwatosa location into a new, beautiful store located on West Capitol Drive in Brookfield. This location features 18 teaching studios, a large retail showroom, and a convenient location with ample parking. The Brookfield location also offers more space for music lessons, instrument selections, print music, and accessories. This modern, well-equipped facility is dedicated to supporting students, educators, and families with its expansive selection and central location. The store is easily accessible on Capitol Drive, a major thoroughfare for customers in Brookfield, Wauwatosa, Germantown, Menomonee Falls, Pewaukee, Butler, Milwaukee, and other nearby cities.
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Today, White House of Music offers an array of music products and services through multiple locations across Southeast Wisconsin. We sell band and orchestra instruments, digital pianos and keyboards, guitars, amps, drums and percussion instruments, print music, and accessories. Our e-commerce site makes it easy and convenient to order instrument accessories. A staff of professional instrument repair technicians provide excellent care and maintenance of your musical instruments. White House of Music continues to be a strong proponent of music education, offering in-store lessons from private teachers, affordable instrument rentals, and innovative music education and enrichment programs tailored for infants through seniors.