The Ward-Brodt Story

Dedicated to being instrumental to the community and schools we serve.

We're Ward-Brodt Music. A full-service musical instrument store that offers repairs, rentals, and more to the music lovers of southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Founded in 1927, we’ve been around the block a few times. You’ll notice that depth of experience in every little thing we do for you.

At Ward-Brodt Music Company, we weave stories into every note. Committed to unmatched excellence in instruments, rentals, and repairs, we nurture musical dreams and foster deep community ties. Join us in orchestrating a harmonious future.

Here’s why you should turn to us when you’re in need of an instrument:

• You’ll have the best variety of instruments to choose from and we strive to know everything about each one of them to offer support when you need it.
• We're music educator approved. We hand deliver to schools throughout southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. We have a close relationship with the teachers at all of our schools and understand the needs of theirs and their students.
• You’ll enjoy lightning-fast exchanges and repairs so you’ll never miss a beat.
• You can visit our store and jam with us any time you want (Yes, really! We'll see you on your lunch break).
• Our staff is in touch with today’s musician's needs In fact, our repair techs alone have a combined experience of over 150 years! That's time spent experimenting with the latest and greatest music gear as well as working with the classics.

Looking for an instrument dealer who’s as passionate about music as you are? At Ward-Brodt, the love of music is in-house and overstocked, both front-of-house and backstage. Let’s make some music.

Call or text at 608.661.8600 or contact us online today.

Our History

We've been around the block a few times.

2023

Directed by mother and son team Connie Fish and Damien Smith, Ward-Brodt is dedicated to being instrumental to the community and schools we serve. Connie is now President and Damien Vice President after years of working closely with previous owners, the Faulhaber family.

2015

We relocated to a state-of-the-art facility in Fitchburg with plenty of square footage for jamming—over 14,000 square feet, that is. Our dedicated rental and repair spaces allow us to better serve the musicians in our community.

1983

Ward-Brodt relocates to 2200 W. Beltline Ave. This was our home for a long time, and where we met many of our current customers and employees. In the times before social media our store served as a hub for up-and-coming musicians. We played host to all kinds of bands-including Hanson, Sara Bareilles, The Fray, and Rascal Flatts to name a few.

1955

Ward-Brodt makes a new home at 315 N. Henry Street, where it stays until 1977. We know some of you still remember our Henry Street location- what is your favorite memory from the “big note” store? How about the time David Niven hid from groupies for an afternoon, using Janet's tall back chair as a disguise.

1951

After the death of T. Lane Ward, Charles M. Faulhaber of Sheboygan, Wisconsin purchases Ward-Brodt. Upon his death, his wife Janet became President until she passed that title on to her son Michael Faulhaber in 1983.

1930

Ward-Brodt and T.Lane Ward open new doors at 208 State Street, while Cecil Brodt branches out to start his own store in North Carolina. Cecil's store would evolve to print musical works as "Brodt Music Publications."

1927

T. Lane Ward and Cecil Brodt, coworkers at the Hook Brothers Piano Company, decided it was time to take things into their own hands. They took over the store at 101 State Street in downtown Madison, WI and thus Ward-Brodt Music Company was born.