About us

Milestones in the company's recent history

2025

Bavarian State Prize 2025

Awarded at the International Craft Fair: Our nickel- and lead-free trumpet „la rossa“

A great honor for our trumpet „la rossa“: Our family business Werner Chr. Schmidt Mundstücke und Metallblasinstrumente was awarded the Bavarian State Prize 2025 for this nickel- and lead-free instrument. The award ceremony took place at the International Craft Fair in Munich, which was held from March 12 to 16.

As a traditional Vogtland-based company, we are one of 20 international award winners and received the award in the field of technology. The prize, worth 5,000 euros, recognizes the outstanding craftsmanship behind „la rossa“, which was developed by our master brass instrument maker Max Hertlein.

Our trumpet was also in the spotlight during the official media tour: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) stopped by our booth and picked up the copper trumpet himself. With the right mouthpiece and the right instrument, he even managed to produce a clear tone – proof of the quality and ease of playability of our new trumpet.

Film crews from the TV stations RTL, ZDF, n-tv, and WELT were also guests at our booth.

2023

Trumpet „la rossa“ wins awards

We received the Saxon State Prize for Design for our innovation, „la rossa“ – the first lead- and nickel-free trumpet.

Since 1992, this design award, presented by the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor, and Transport, has recognized outstanding design achievements from Saxony with the aim of strengthening the Saxon design industry and raising its profile as an important economic factor.

Saxon State Minister Martin Duhlig presented Max Hertlein with the award statue and certificate at the award ceremony in Leipzig. In the same year, we were delighted to receive another award: at the Saxon Innovation Award 2023, we received the special prize of the Saxon Chambers of Crafts for our innovation, „la rossa“.

2022

180th company anniversary

In 2022, we celebrated our 180th anniversary. Our guests included important politicians, industry colleagues, musicians, and friends. To name just a few of our guests of honor: Head of the Saxon State Chancellery and Minister of State for Federal Affairs and Media, Mr. Schenk, Vice President of the German Bundestag, Ms. Magwas, District Administrator Keil, Mayor Rubner, President of the Chemnitz Chamber of Crafts, Mr. Wagner, Prof. Wachsmuth, and many more.

The anniversary was also marked by the ceremonial presentation of the golden master craftsman's certificate (50 years as a master craftsman) to Bernhard Schmidt. As the oldest mouthpiece manufacturer in the world, we are now in our 7th generation of producing high-quality mouthpieces for brass instruments. In addition, Bernhard Schmidt introduced instrument making to the company's portfolio in 1989.

Combining tradition and progress, we are a representative company for the Musikwinkel region: we continue old traditions with young ideas!

2020

We train: From apprentice to journeyman

In October 2020, apprentice Pascal began training as a brass instrument maker at our company. After completing a one-week internship with us and successfully passing his high school diploma, we decided to start his training despite the current coronavirus crisis. In August 2023, he finally passed his journeyman's examination in brass instrument making.

We are particularly proud that he achieved the best grades at the „Vogländischer Musikinstrumentenbau“ vocational school in the metal wind instrument maker training program in the Free State of Saxony.

2017

The 7th generation at the start

After Max Hertlein, grandson of Bernhard Schmidt, successfully completed his high school diploma in 2012, he began his apprenticeship as an instrument maker/mouthpiece specialist. With enthusiasm, drive, and new ideas, he completed his training very successfully.

The graduation ceremony (ceremonial presentation of the journeyman's certificate) in metal wind instrument making in 2015 was followed by master craftsman training, which concluded in August 2017 with an excellent exam result and the ceremonial presentation of the master craftsman's certificate before the Chemnitz Chamber of Crafts.

He now represents the 7th generation in our traditional family business „Werner Chr. Schmidt“ and is gradually taking on long-term responsibility in the company.