Our Instruments
We specialize in making the 'lower' sounding flutes. We produce a wide range of flutes: including Alto-, Bass-, Contrabass and Sub contrabass flutes. Our flutes are hand-made and we have dedicated time and effort towards building instruments that suit the requirements and physical needs of our customers. The results of our endeavors have led to the development of a line of instruments with increased musical potential which all began with the development of the open-hole alto flute. Following the innovation of the "Key-on-Key mechanism" and the patented "Kingma System ®", a series of open-hole and quarter-tone Alto, Bass and Contrabass flutes were created. As a result of the inspiring collaboration with Bickford Brannen a full quarter-tone C-flute with the patented Kingma System® is now available at Brannen Brothers Flutemakers, Inc. and Sankyoflutes.
Our Philosophy
Our involvement with our product does not end at the point of delivery. Customers are welcome to choose from several head joints, and we will make any final adjustments necessary to meet the personal requirements of the individual customer. Several customers have enjoyed their stay in our village Grolloo while fine-tuning their instrument. When an instrument leaves our shop, we remain interested in its well-being and are always ready to advise or help you with any question or issue which might arise.
History
The Kingma Company originated in Holland in the early 1950's, shortly after World War II. At that time there was a great shortage of wind instruments and Dirk Kuiper, who was the second flutist in the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, founded his small company to meet the demand for new flutes. For over 20 years Kuiper was known for his wooden, silver and gold C-flutes. He also built alto flutes, which at that time were unusual. In 1975 Eva Kingma joined Dirk Kuiper in building flutes. In 1981 Eva Kingma took over the company. On february 12th 2006 Dirk Kuiper died at the age of 92 years after a fruitful life. Since 1988, the company is located in the picturesque rural village of Grolloo in the north of the Netherlands.
(Left: Dirk Kuiper and Eva Kingma)
Our company is indebted to many people who contributed ideas, technical solutions, artistic opinions and motivation. Some of them we would like to mention:
Albert Cooper, Bickford and Laura Brannen, Matthias Ziegler, Robert Dick, Carla Rees, Jos Zwaanenburg and
Anne La Berge.
(Left: Albert Cooper, Dirk Kuiper, Eva Kingma)
