“Crafted with the highest quality and great care for the customer. Chris was very helpful in getting everything right and my order was delivered very quick! The baton is well crafted and responds perfectly to every gesture. High marks for Chris and everyone at Custom Batons! ”

“During college I searched high and low (including driving for many hours) to find a baton that really suited me. I started my career in elementary music at a K-12 private school but a few years later took the job as band director, and again, the same issue. By then, the internet had become a viable tool and I went to searching and found Custom Batons. I ordered two and they are still going strong today. After a couple years I decided to see if we could really do something special. I contacted the company and asked if they could get a hold of Myrtlewood, one of my favorite woods, and build the handle out of it with thread wrapping, and they did. At Chris’ suggestion the thread was variegated brown and gold, with the brown matching the wood perfectly. This has been my performance baton for some 12 years now. I have recommended Custom Batons to many friends and colleagues, and for one recent graduate who is studying to be a music director, the choir teacher and I went in together to get him a gift card at the max amount so he could get whatever he wanted. It is spectacular. He has had requests from professors, fellow students, and friends to try it out or use it in performance (as have I for mine). I’m back on the site now to order a new one as a milestone... and to use. I can’t wait. ”

“I’ve used Chris’ batons since my first undergraduate classes, and through my professional and teaching career across North America. I’ve tried batons from other makers, but they pale in comparison to the craftsmanship and attention to detail from Chris. After years of professional work his batons feel like an extension of my own hand. I recommend them to the students in my studio and my conducting classes. There’s no better baton maker out there. ”

“I have been using Custom Batons since my first year in graduate school at Northwestern University. I have tried other batons, but I find myself somehow always coming back to the Custom Batons. Every conductor is different, and they deserve a baton that fits their physicality best. With the excellent customer service and craftsmanship of Custom Batons, I feel confident in the product I am purchasing. It enables me the level of comfort and freedom to concentrate solely on the music I am conducting rather than the equipment I am using.”

“My students were instructed to wait to purchase your batons, but three of them wanted a head start and purchased a baton on Amazon. They were not well made batons and I explained why and told them to compare them to your batons. Even with no conducting experience, they couldn’t believe the difference between the two. They were completely sold on the importance of a good baton and all three of them purchased your batons to use instead.”

“Dear Chris - I’ve bought batons from you in the past, as well as Charles Olson, have always enjoyed the quality of the ones I’ve gotten. While I’m retired from teaching, I thought I’d add to my “stable” of batons with some new acrylic handle batons. Did I really need them? No. However, when I received them (very fast turnaround, by the way!), I had to marvel at how well-made these batons were, the beauty of the chosen colors, and the balance. Yes, they’re a bit heavier than the wood/graphite batons I have (I also have some with wood shafts), but the balance really seems to make that a non-issue. I have been getting some requests to do clinics with concert groups, so I can see these new batons getting some use down the road. It’s nice to see that after using Custom Batons since 1991, the quality, if anything, has gotten even better. Thank you! ”

“Chris Blount is a superb craftsman and offers the best customer service! He’s my baton craftsman and he should be yours, too!”

“I bought my first baton from Charles Olson, back in the early 80’s. I was amazed at the balance and craftsmanship.
When Charles passed on the business to Chris Blount, I knew that he would continue to uphold these high standards, but he has actually surpassed them. Each baton I have purchased is perfectly balanced, comfortable to use, aesthetically beautiful, and always invites inquiries from colleagues.
I’ve had two instances to request special orders, and Chris designed beautiful batons for both of these occasions. The first was a retirement baton for a colleague, made of spare floorboard wood from the stage on which he taught and performed for over twenty years. The second was a special engraved baton for an anniversary gala concert. The final results far exceeded my expectations.
I am so grateful for Chris’s professionalism, high standards, quality, and value, and I recommend him highly!
”

“Every baton Chris makes is a piece of art. Not only are they beautiful, but each baton seems unique to the conductor. I have never had a more comfortable baton in my hand, it fits so perfect that at times I don’t even realize it is in my hand. Chris stands by his work; when I needed an emergency shaft replacement, he was able to get my baton back to me in no time. I have gotten many complements on my baton from Conductors around the world not only only the beauty, but of the feel of it when I let them try it. I recommend Chris’ work to everyone. ”

“From making to packing, incredible amount of attention concentrated in one baton! It’s a delicate piece of art, yet with engineering precision in weight, balance and alignment. Highly recommend Chris’ work to anyone from student to professional. ”

“About 500 (and counting) St Olaf musicians are out in the world with one of Chris’s batons! They love the variety of handle shapes and colors, keeping them well past graduation and into their careers. With a nod to Harry Potter, we tell them that the baton chooses them.Thanks, Chris! ”

“I purchased my first baton from Chris in 2010, I still use it today and I just purchased another baton to add to my collection. Out of the many that I have, Custom Batons is the most comfortable and most natural feeling baton. Thank You Chris. ”

“I wanted to send a quick message of thanks—you have been a vendor with APU for many many years, outfitting literally hundreds of students in our conducting classes and EVERY single baton I have seen and used has been flawless. They are always perfectly balanced, aesthetically striking and are priced perfectly. Thank YOU for your service!”

“Mr. Olson made me a baton when I was his student teacher, Spring 1966. It was made out of a fishpole with wooden handle. Beautiful. I still have it and used it my entire professional teaching/conducting life. I am giving it to a wonderful young musician/music educator who will be completing his degree in music education next year. He was “wowed” by the gift as was I in 1966.”

“Chris’s Maiello Model Custom Baton is amazing! So balanced and easy to use. My ictus is completely responsive to every nuance my wrist and hand give it. I have the highest recommendation for these batons! ”

“I wanted to write to you to say thank you for making such a lovely baton for me. I never thought I would love one as much as I do with my new one; it is better than I expected. I think it’s important for you to know how much has made me love conducting even more, especially as I am a young individual in this field. I wish you well and look forward to ordering from you in the future.”

“While I’ve tried other batons over the past 40 years, the ones made by Chris and Charlie have never been surpassed. Perfectly balanced, and artfully crafted, these batons simply float on air! It was my great pleasure to have known Charlie Olsen, and he was gracious to offer me John Paynter’s “retirement baton”, which is one of my cherished possessions, and used only on special occasions. My current batons with graphite shafts are so sturdy I may never need to buy another! ”

“I have been conducting since the early 1990’s and have tried batons from different manufacturers time and time again. Since I bought my first baton from Chris a few years ago, that’s over. I’ve finally arrived! Perfect balance and good handling make every movement natural and to the point. ”