Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical Band Instrument Repair Instructor Lucas Pemberton recently returned from presenting at the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians annual conference in Portsmouth, Va. The conference is a gathering of approximately 300 technicians from around the world and serves as a forum for technicians to share their knowledge and experience with others in the field.

Pemberton presented two clinics on metal lathe operation as it applies to band instrument repair.  He provided examples of tools and parts which can be made on a metal lathe and conveyed why a metal lathe can be a profit-making purchase. "Over the last 20-30 years parts have been plentiful. This is not so much the case anymore. Having to make parts or tools is becoming a necessity again and it is up to us as leaders in the craft to teach others," said Pemberton. His clinics were well attended with as many as 100 among both sessions.

Pemberton has been presenting at this conference for the last six years. "Lucas' star is rising in NAPBIRT – the level of respect from those in the craft continues to grow as he interacts with those in the field," said Band Instrument Repair Instructor and colleague, John Huth. Southeast Technical instructors annually present at the NAPBIRT conference and this year is no exception.

Southeast Technical has 11 lathes for students to use and learn on. In addition to Pemberton, 13 Southeast Technical students attended this year's conference.