References

What our customers and clients say about us

• I am writing this recommendation on behalf of Geir Marthin Helland, who I have known and worked with for many years. I recently retired from my position on the percussion faculty at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where I taught for over forty years, with vibraphone/marimba as my main area of expertise.

  Geir Marthin is an accomplished musician, having worked professionally as a percussionist in symphony orchestras and symphonic bands for decades. At the same time, he has always had a particular interest in the care and maintenance of instruments. The insight he has gained from so much playing experience is evident in the work he does repairing, restoring and tuning percussion instruments. To achieve the highest professional standard, he has studied and sought guidance from some of the greatest experts in the field. In particular, I would mention his studies with Bill Youhass, one of the world’s most famous tuners of keyboard percussion instruments.

  The work Geir Marthin has done for us at the Norwegian Academy of Music has always been first class. For about the past ten years, it has been a great pleasure to have a tuner of his caliber here in Norway. During these years, he has gained vast experience, tuning mallet instruments for orchestras and conservatories all over the country, including our instruments at the Academy in Oslo. I therefore give Geir Marthin my highest recommendation.

• To Whom it May Concern:

  It is my pleasure to strongly recomend the work of Geir Marthin Helland, the owner of GEMA Percussion in Sarpsborg, Norway.

  1 am Bjoern Arne Loeken, Professor Emeritus in Percussion at Norwegian Academy of Music. I have been percussion teacher and responsible caretaker for the percussion instruments at Norwegian Academy of Music from 1995 until 2024.

  I started to cooperate with Geir Marthin Helland, when he started his company GEMA Percussion in 1984. In the beginning as percussion teacher and caretaker of the percussion instruments at Eastern Norway conservatory of Music and from 1995 at Norwegian Academy of Music.

  GEMA did almost all major repairs on Our different percussion instruments both at Eastern Conservatory of Music and Norwegian Academy of Music in the period mentioned. By that I mean all the the repairs that I was not able to do myself. When Geir Mathin started to tune melodic instrument, he has been tuning all Our instruments at Norwegian Academy of Music.

  I have always been very satisfied with the work Geir Marthin has performed on Our instruments, both the mechanical work and rebuilding of Timpanys and other instruments and particularly the tuning of all Our melodical instruments. There are very few persons that can do a good job on tuning melodical percussion instruments, and Geir Marthin is definitely one of them.

• The Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces has on several occasions used GeMa Percussion for instrument repairs and the tuning of melodic percussion instruments. Our experience is that GeMa consistently meets our requirements and preferences, while maintaining a high level of professionalism in communication and logistics.

  We can confidently recommend GeMa Percussion as a reliable and reputable service provider.

• We at the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet has through many years had the great luxury of having GeMa Percussion close by. Geir Marthin has helped us upgrade or repair our instruments on numerous occasions, and every time he has done a stellar job. In recent years he has repaired and tuned a glockenspiel and multiple xylophones. His top class craftmanship has brought new and improved life to all instruments, and his open minded approach, with the customers needs in the center, has ensured a great result every time. We couldn’t be happier. We highly recommend both him and his work.

• I am a percussionist, Artistic Director of SISU Percussion Ensemble, and a percussion teacher and instrument coordinator at the Norwegian Academy of Music. I have known and worked with Geir Marthin Helland and GeMa Percussion for many years, both at the Academy and with SISU.

  At SISU, we often come to Geir Marthin with ideas and requests that are a little out of the ordinary. One example was when we wanted marimba bars made from ash wood to create a very particular sound. Geir Marthin suggested tuning only the fundamental pitch of the bars. It worked beautifully and gave us exactly the sound and character we were looking for. This is something I really appreciate about working with him. He is curious, open to unusual ideas and always willing to share his knowledge and explore different possibilities with us.

  At the Norwegian Academy of Music, Geir Marthin has helped us take care of and improve our percussion instruments for many years. From major mechanical repairs and rebuilding timpani to tuning and restoring mallet instruments, his work has always been excellent. It is a great advantage to have someone with his experience and skills whom we know we can rely on.

  But what I value most is the collaboration. Geir Marthin takes the time to listen, understands what we are trying to achieve as musicians and often comes up with ideas and solutions we hadn't thought of ourselves. I have always enjoyed our discussions, and I know that when we bring him a challenge, he will take it seriously and do his best to find a good solution.

  I am very happy to recommend GeMa Percussion!