WENTWORTH MUSIC The Heart Of The Business
Wentworth Music is a prominent family-owned music retailer and education center based in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. For over 50 years, it has evolved from a small teaching studio into the largest “one-stop” music destination in the BC Interior.
History and Origins
Wentworth Music’s history is a classic “garage startup” story that began in 1966.
- Founding:
The business was established by Walt, Vera, and Dale Wentworth. It originally operated as a small music lesson studio out of the back of Walt’s lighting store, Capri House of Lights, in Kelowna’s Capri Mall
- The Pivot:
Dale Wentworth, who taught lessons to put himself through college, noticed that the income from music lessons and instrument sales was beginning to outpace the lighting business. He eventually convinced his father to convert the entire shop into a dedicated music store - Expansion:
Over the decades, the business expanded beyond Kelowna to serve the entire Okanagan region, opening additional full-service locations in Vernon and Penticton
Business Profile & Services
Today, Wentworth Music is recognized as one of the premier music retailers globally, having been voted among the Top 100 Music Stores in the World by NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants).
- Retail and Rentals:
The store is a “full-line” dealer, meaning it carries everything from guitars and drums to pianos and orchestral strings. - Key Brands:
They are authorized dealers for major brands like Yamaha, Taylor Guitars, Roland, and Fender. - Rental Program:
They operate a popular “Rent-to-Own” program, particularly for school band students, which includes a customer protection plan covering all repairs and maintenance.
Wentworth Music Education Centre
- The heart of the business is its award-winning education wing.
- Scale: At its peak, the center has hosted over 700–850 students weekly.
- Rockschool Accreditation: One of their most significant contributions to Canadian music education was bringing the UK-based Rockschool curriculum to Canada. Led by Noel Wentworth, they successfully lobbied the BC Ministry of Education to recognize Rock, Pop, and Metal exams for high school external credits—giving contemporary musicians the same academic standing as classical students.
Community and Charity
Wentworth Music is well-known for its Bi-Annual Student Rock Shows. These are large-scale productions held at venues like the Kelowna Community Theatre or Prospera Place.
- Philanthropy: Through these “Kids Helping Kids” concerts, the company has raised over $250,000 for the children’s wards at Kelowna General Hospital and Vernon Jubilee Hospital
Locations
- Kelowna (Flagship): #106-1634 Harvey Ave, Kelowna, BC
- Vernon: 4301 29th St, Vernon, BC
- Penticton: 51 Nanaimo Ave E, Penticton, BC
For more information, you can visit their official website at WENTWORTHMUSIC
