About Michael
Michael is a systematic musicologist who has devoted over six decades to teaching the technology and science of acoustic orchestral instruments to music teachers, students, technicians, supervisors, and professionals in the field of music. In addition, he has filled the role of military band master, church choir director, founder of Ardsley Musical Instrument Service, Ltd., and Contemporary Music Products, two musical instrument companies still in operation, and inventor and patent holder of Peg Drops, The Viometer, The Bow Hair Rejuvination Kit, and Bridge Foot Powder, products sold world-wide. In addition to the books viewed in this brochure, he has written seventeen articles on musical instruments and music in general.
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Michael is certified by the New York State Department of Education as a Teacher of Music (grades K-12), Supervisor of Secondary Education, and Secondary School Principal, and by the New York City Board of Education as Teacher of Orchestral Music. He holds the degrees of B.S. in Music, M.A. in Music Education, M.S in School Supervision and Administration, an Sc.D., and honorary Ph.D in Musical Instrument Technology.
Michael's Books
Everything You Should Know about Musical Instruments (Ardsley Scholastic Press, 1992). Michael’s first book was used as a text for the West Point band instrument repair program.
The Flute: How It Works (Ardsley Scholastic Press, 2003). An easy-to-understand explanation of how a flute works.
The Violin: How It Works (Ardsley Scholastic Press, 2002). A simple introduction to the technology of the violin.
The Violin Workbook (Ardsley Scholastic Press, 2004). An activity-centered book of exercises that introduces the violin to young violin students.
The Musical Instrument Desk Reference (Scarecrow Press, 2012). A one-stop shop reference tool for the working musician who needs a quick, visually-rich reference guide to band and orchestral instruments.
The Instrumental Music Director’s Guide to Comprehensive Program Development (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014). A guide to building a successful instrumental music program using readily available resources.
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The following Owner’s Handbook series is a source for information on all aspects of ownership of the subject instrument for both the uninitiated and advanced players.
The String Instrument Owner’s Handbook (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015)
The Brass Instrument Owner’s Handbook (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016)
The Woodwind Instrument Owner’s Handbook (Ardsley Scholastic Press, 2017)
The Percussion Instrument Owner’s Handbook (Ardsley Scholastic Press, 2017)
Basic Elements of Music (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016). This survey of the basic elements of music is written on an introductory level but with erudition worthy of serious study. This is not a book for dummies.