Antoine Courtois dates back to 1789 when the head of the Courtois family, M.Courtois, opened his first workshop in Rue Mazarine in Paris. Of the instruments manufactured at  that time, one cavalry trumpet, marked "Courtois Rue  Mazarine", is still exhibited in the Museum of the National  Conservatory of Paris.  This instrument belonged to the aid of the officer sent by Napoleon to discuss terms with the besieged inhabitants of Saint-Jean-d'Acre in 1789.

In 1803, Antoine Courtois (1770-1855), one of the founder's sons, settled the present firm.  Several instruments, dating from this period, are still kept by the Conservatory: a half moon shaped trumpet with a similar sonority to that of a french horn, an infantry bugle adopted by the French Ministry of War in 1823, a slide trombone and the first comets, key flugel horns, french horns and ophicleids.

In 1844, when French instruments design was at its brightest with names like F Besson, A. Sax, Millereau.... Antoine Courtois Junior, invented the famous comet 'Arban system", known all over the world.  He died in 1880 leaving no heir.  At this time, Antoine Courtois was represented in the U.K. by Chappell & Co, and was fully involved in the brass band movement. Proof of this can be found in many contest programmes of the time where Courtois instruments were presented as special prizes.

An unique palmares of distinction in international exhibits and fairs proves the constant success and the universal fame of Antoine Courtois's name.

In 1956, Mr. Paul Gaudet decided to decentralize his company by building a factory in Amboise (Indre-et-Loire), which expanded rapidly, and where every year now, the brass band competition is held.

Mr. Jacques Gaudet, his son, perpetuate the tradition of quality and technical perfection which made Antoine Courtois famous, thanks to continuous research and modernization of the manufacturing processes and a fruitful collaboration with the most renowned artists.

In 1994, he centralized activities at the Amboise location, and decided to integrate a well known European group, TA. Musik.  The president of which, Mr. Gerhard Meinl, belongs to the 7th generation in the Brass wind business in Germany. He also created a wind repair shop and after sale service in Paris, 144 bd de la Villette.

Manufactured in Amboise, all the instruments are tested, perfected and checked by the best among musicians.

In 1997, the famous British euphonium soloist, professor, conductor and recording executive, Nick Childs joined the efforts of Antoine Courtois to finalise the whole range of excellent instruments for British brass bands.  He underwrites the Background Brass line and proves the quality of sound, response and intonation on these newly edited Nick Child's Signature Line. This is why, today as well as in 1803, artists from the whole world agree that an instrument signed Antoine Courtois is a guarantee of technical perfection and high workmanship.

Visit the Antoine Courtois website.

 

Can Can (76kb) Gala Concert from 4th French Open Brass Band Championships 1998.