Our Heritage
A family plaque, set in 1979.
Every date below is a proof point. This is the story of how a Staffordshire piano tuning business grew from one man's round to the in-house tuner for the Midlands' greatest concert halls — and stayed in the family throughout.
1979
The business is founded
George Chapman establishes GEV Chapman & Son, drawing on his years at Leonard Reeves Organ Builders Ltd. The craft moves from pipe organs to pianos.
1984
Full-time to the piano
George leaves organ building behind to devote himself entirely to the piano business and its growing round of private customers.
1993
John joins the firm
John Chapman joins the business after graduating from Newark & Sherwood College with a Diploma in Piano Tuning, Maintenance & Repair.
1998
A new generation
George passes away. John takes over the business, continuing the standard his father set.
2000
The Thurlow round
John purchases a tuning round of around 300 customers from the widow of the late Brian Thurlow, widening the business across the Midlands.
2001
Symphony Hall & the arenas
John wins the Birmingham Symphony Hall contract and begins tuning for the NIA, the NEC (then the LG Arena) and the CBSO.
2007
Town Hall & growth
John acquires the customer base of local tuner Graham Cooper and wins the Birmingham Town Hall contract.
Today
Steinway-trained to concert standard
John is Steinway & Sons trained to concert standard, tuning for King Edward's School Birmingham's performing arts centre and a wide base of private, school and institutional customers across the Midlands.
Relationships, Not Transactions
Both of these customers have been with us for over twenty years.
That is the heritage angle, told plainly: a business that lasts because the work is good and the trust is kept.
“Jonathan has tuned our piano for years, before that, his Father, George, did it. Both very competent and a pleasure to deal with over the past 32 years.”
Tim Handley
Google Review
“Chapman (father and son) have been tuning our piano since about 1985! They have always been lovely to work with, professional, courteous, prompt and reliable and most importantly the piano always sounds wonderful once they have finished. I wouldn't go anywhere else to get our piano tuned. Highly recommend.”
Naomi Lee
Google Review
Become part of the next chapter.
Families, schools, churches and concert halls — the round has room for your piano.