Kidder Music

Kidder Music Service, Inc. (originally named Byerly School Service) was founded in 1974 by James E. Kidder and Floride Kidder as a school band instrument service company and originally was located at 222 SW Adams St. in Peoria, IL. After having spent several years as a band director in Central Illinois, Jim Kidder worked as a road salesman for Byerly Music before founding Kidder Music. Since our inception, we have continued to grow, carrying a full line of band and orchestra instruments, accessories, sheet music, and repair services. In 1980 we had outgrown our original location and moved to 7623 N. Crestline Dr. in north Peoria. Here we were able to continue to expand our print music services and accessories as well as increase staff to accommodate our steady growth. In 1989 Kidder Music expanded our scope of operations by purchasing Westgor Music in Dixon, IL and opening a new branch at 212 First St in Dixon. After one year at this location, our store was moved to a more modern facility on the north side of Dixon. In April of the following year, our store had once again outgrown our location and moved to our present location at 2901 E Lincolnway in Sterling, IL. Our Sterling location carries band and orchestra instruments, guitars, amps, p.a. systems, accessories, and music. We also offer lessons and repair services. In April of 1994 Kidder Music moved once again to the current location at 7728 N. Crestline Dr., Peoria, IL. This modern facility is much more user-friendly for our customers. The large showroom has much more display area enabling us to carry more products for our customers, and the warehouse is extremely beneficial to the employees working in shipping and receiving, and the road representatives who are always making deliveries. There was also space to add lesson studios to further our commitment to music education. In 1996 Kidder expanded once again by opening a store at 1968 N. Henderson, in Galesburg, IL. This store grew rapidly, and was actually doubled in size by 1998. The Galesburg location was a balance of band instruments, music, guitars, amps, accessories, lessons, and repair. In August of 2003, Kidder Music moved the store from Galesburg, IL. to Bloomington, IL. The Bloomington location carries a large selection of band and orchestral instruments, print music, accessories, guitars, amps, and drums. We look forward to serving the musical community in Bloomington/Normal. We are still growing and hope to foster this growth into the future by continuing to offer excellent musical products and supporting that with service which is second to none.