The MI World Discovers Victory: Melvin Quinones of Victory Musical Instruments

Melvin Quinones, founder of Victory Musical Instruments, at the company’s warehouse in Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Victory Musical Instruments (VMI) has made quite an impact on the B&O market in only a few short years. Since 2017, the company has drawn upon founder Melvin Quinones’ decades of professional music experience and engineering background to field an impressive lineup of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, flutes, and many more band instruments.

MMR recently connected with Quinones to learn more about VMI’s evolution, his own background, and what the future holds for the organization.

Can you talk a little about the genesis of Victory Musical Instruments – specifically, how did the concept of The Growling Sax evolve from an MI retail operation to a separate endeavor where you (Melvin) decided to create your own brand?

As a lifelong saxophonist and an engineer by profession, my journey with Victory Musical Instruments and the creation of The Growling Sax brand is deeply personal and rooted in my passion for music.

Back in 2008, I embarked on an ambitious project to create a social network for saxophonists. This platform connected players from over 100 countries and became a treasure trove of insights into the music industry. It provided me with access to big data, vital contacts, and significant collaborative opportunities with some of our sponsors. Unfortunately, due to health issues related to coronary heart disease, I had to shut down this network in 2017. This was a challenging time for me, but it set the stage for what was to come next.

As I regained my health and neared retirement from my engineering career, I contemplated entering the music retail space with an online saxophone shop, initially planning to name it TheGrowlingSax.com. However, reflecting on the insights gained from my social network and understanding the needs of thousands of saxophonists across various regions, I realized that I had the opportunity to do something more impactful. Leveraging my knowledge of instrument manufacturing processes and the diverse requirements of players, I decided to create a saxophone that wasn’t just another instrument on the market. I wanted to develop a saxophone that stood out in terms of quality and affordability. This led to the birth of The Growling Sax brand – a symbol of excellence, accessibility, and my dedication to the craft of saxophone music.

This endeavor was more than just a business venture; it was a culmination of my experiences as a musician and an engineer, driven by a desire to contribute something truly valuable to the saxophone community. The Growling Sax is not just a brand; it’s a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and a deep-seated love for music.

What about your own prior professional and personal background made you feel you were up to such a substantial undertaking?

My journey towards establishing The Growling Sax brand was undoubtedly ambitious, but several key aspects of my professional and personal background instilled in me the confidence to take on such a significant challenge. First and foremost, my unwavering faith has always been the cornerstone of my resolve and determination. It’s this deep-seated belief system that has guided me through both triumphs and trials, providing a steady source of strength and inspiration.Additionally, my professional experiences have played a crucial role in building my confidence. Having worked with top-tier companies like Alienware, Microsoft, Dell, Hewlett Packard, and serving for 9 years in the U.S. Army, I’ve been exposed to environments of excellence and high standards. These experiences, especially my time at Alienware during its acquisition by Dell, were instrumental in shaping my understanding of business, innovation, and success. Witnessing and being part of these companies’ growth trajectories taught me valuable lessons in resilience, strategic planning, and the importance of a customer-centric approach. The story of Alienware’s acquisition by Dell particularly resonated with me. It was a clear demonstration that with the right vision, dedication, and team, a company can achieve remarkable heights. This experience was a turning point, reinforcing my belief that I, too, could accomplish anything I set my mind to.

So, when I contemplated creating The Growling Sax, it wasn’t just a leap of faith. It was a calculated decision backed by years of diverse experiences and the confidence that I could bring something unique and valuable to the world of saxophones. My background provided me with a solid foundation, not just in technical and business acumen, but also in the belief that with hard work, determination, and faith, one can turn visions into reality.

What were some of the first Victory Musical Instruments models that were released? Which models/instruments do you credit with putting the VMI brand “on the map”?

The initial breakthrough for my company came with the development of The Growling Sax instruments. The very first model we released was the H-1110, a name inspired by the biblical verse Hosea 11:10, symbolizing the “roar of the Lion” – indicative of a big and powerful sound. However, we later renamed it to the Origin Series saxophone. This model was particularly special because it embodied our commitment to quality, innovation, and a sound that was both unique and commanding. It set a high standard for what musicians could expect from our brand and paved the way for future developments.

After the success of the Origin Series saxophone, I received encouragement from many musician friends to expand into brass instruments. Taking their advice and working closely with them, I ventured into developing a professional trumpet under the Victory Musical Instruments brand. This led to the creation of the Revelation Series trumpet, a model that quickly gained popularity among trumpeters, especially in South Florida, where the company originated. Its growing reputation soon spread, leading to an expanded presence in Latin America.

The Revelation Series trumpet was more than just an instrument; it was a testament to our dedication to quality and the specific needs of musicians. Its popularity among trumpeters was a significant milestone for Victory Musical Instruments, helping to establish the brand as a serious contender in the world of musical instruments. This expansion into brass instruments marked a crucial phase in the company’s growth, demonstrating our ability to innovate across different categories of musical instruments and solidifying the VMI brand’s position “on the map” in the music industry. These early models, the Origin Series saxophone and the Revelation Series trumpet, were instrumental in defining the Victory Musical Instruments brand. They showcased our commitment to excellence and our capacity to understand and meet the needs of musicians, qualities that continue to drive the brand today.

VMI has the distinction of being embraced by a number of significant, high-profile artists: Can you talk about the nature of such artist-endorser relationships? How important are such relationships in terms of elevating brand recognition?

At Victory Musical Instruments (VMI), our artist-endorser relationships are vital to our brand recognition and growth. My background as a professional saxophonist for 38 years and the creation of a saxophonists’ social network provided me with an extensive network of musicians. This meant that even before VMI’s products were fully developed, we already had potential customers and endorsers.

While we receive a significant number of endorsement applications, many of our artist relationships are formed through personal contacts and referrals from other musicians. These connections are essential in building genuine and mutually beneficial relationships with artists. The impact of these endorsements on brand recognition is profound. High-profile artists playing and recommending our instruments serve as powerful endorsements, enhancing our market visibility and credibility. However, the cornerstone of these relationships is the quality of our instruments. It’s their craftsmanship, sound, and playability that attract and retain these top artists, solidifying VMI’s reputation as a top-tier provider in the musical instrument industry.

When you look back on the evolution of the company and the brand, what significant product introductions, developments, partnerships, etc. stand out as being particularly meaningful in VMI’s growth?

Reflecting on the evolution of Victory Musical Instruments, several key moments and partnerships stand out as particularly meaningful in the company’s growth.

From the beginning, the support of early adopters and endorsing artists has been invaluable. Individuals like Fofi Gomez, Evan Taylor, Roilan Vazquez, Nelson Garcia, Nick Cedillo, Osvaldo Fleites, and Candido Abeyta have been instrumental in our journey. Their belief in our products and their continued support have played a significant role in shaping the brand.

A pivotal endorsement that contributed significantly to our scaling up was from the virtuoso trumpeter, Gerardo Rodriguez. His endorsement not only brought immense credibility to our brand but also solidified our presence in the professional music scene. I am proud to count him as both an artist and a friend. However, one of the most impactful endorsements came from Reverend Rudy Rodriguez. Though he might have been less known in the American market, he was the most recorded Christian music saxophonist in Latin America. His joining our artist roster in our first year of business had a profound influence. Hundreds of his followers purchased saxophones influenced by his endorsement. Sadly, COVID-19 took Rudy from us, but his legacy and memory remain a significant and cherished part of Victory Musical Instruments. In more recent times, endorsements from renowned musicians like Dr. Ed Calle have further elevated our brand. These partnerships with exceptional musicians not only validate the quality of our instruments but also broaden our reach and impact in the music community.

Each of these partnerships, endorsements, and contributions has been a cornerstone in the growth of Victory Musical Instruments, helping us to build a brand that is synonymous with quality, trust, and excellence in the music industry.

Present-day, how many employees are there at Victory Musical Instruments?
Presently, Victory Musical Instruments has a dedicated team comprising 10 employees, spread across various parts of the world. We have seven employees based in the United States and South America, and an additional three team members located in Asia. This diverse and talented group plays a crucial role in maintaining the quality, innovation, and customer service that our brand is known for, contributing significantly to our global presence in the musical instrument industry.

Where is the HQ and other facilities and how large are they?
Victory Musical Instruments is headquartered in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, where we have our main office and warehouse. This facility encompasses just under 2,000 square feet, efficiently divided between office space and warehouse area to handle our operations. Additionally, we maintain a small warehouse in Tianjin, which serves as a strategic storage location for merchandise destined for direct export to our dealers in South America. This setup allows us to effectively manage our supply chain and distribution, supporting our business both domestically and internationally.

Any current or upcoming models or instruments that you’d like to draw MMR readers’ attention to? Upcoming or recent “news” of note?

Firstly, we have been focusing extensively on our educational program and high-quality band instruments over the past two years. Our Triumph Series is a testament to this effort. These instruments are specifically designed with students in mind. They are built to be durable, priced accessibly, and, importantly, do not compromise on sound and intonation. The series includes a range of instruments such as clarinets, oboes, flutes, French horns, trumpets, trombones, and several low-brass instruments. This makes the Triumph Series an ideal choice for budding musicians and educational institutions looking for reliable and high-quality instruments.

Additionally, we are in the process of developing an Advantage or VIP program. This program is aimed at offering incentives and additional benefits to band programs that use Victory instruments. The goal is to provide more value and support to educational institutions and students, ensuring they have the best possible experience with our instruments. This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting music education and fostering the next generation of musicians. Keep an eye out for more details on this program, as we believe it will be a significant addition to our offerings and a great opportunity for music educators and students alike.

How would interested MI retailers best go about partnering with VMI?

For MI retailers interested in exploring partnership opportunities with Victory Musical Instruments, we are enthusiastic about collaborating with both small and large retailers globally. The best approach to initiate this partnership is to get in touch with us directly. Retailers can contact our main office in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, by calling +1-772-888-1869 or sending an email to [email protected].

Our team is dedicated to building strong and mutually beneficial relationships with our retail partners. We offer comprehensive support, ranging from detailed product information to marketing assistance, ensuring that our partners are well-equipped to successfully showcase and sell our products. Whether you are a small boutique store or a large retail chain, we are committed to providing the necessary support and building a strong, lasting partnership. We value the opportunity to expand our presence and make our high-quality instruments accessible to more musicians through these partnerships. Our goal is to work closely with retailers to meet their specific needs and contribute to their success in the competitive MI market.

Expectations, for both Victory Musical Instruments and the B&O market, overall, in the coming months?

In the coming months, Victory Musical Instruments is excited about the prospect of expanding our educational initiatives. A significant part of this expansion involves strengthening our partnerships with band directors and dealers to enhance our educational reach. We are incredibly proud that hundreds of schools across Latin America have trusted our instruments, and we are committed to helping more students achieve musical excellence. We are also actively sponsoring important organizations in the music education sector, such as the National Association of School Music Dealers (NASMD) and the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA). These sponsorships reflect our dedication to supporting institutions that promote music education. Moving forward, we are looking to sponsor more such institutions, furthering our commitment to fostering music education at all levels.

In terms of the broader Band & Orchestra (B&O) market, we remain optimistic about its continued growth and innovation. The resilience and adaptability shown by this market, particularly in recent times, are encouraging. Victory Musical Instruments aspires to be at the forefront of this evolving market, offering high-quality, accessible instruments that align with the needs of educators and students alike.