Music Manufacturing
Ned Phoenix of Townshend, Vermont, a reed organ player and restorer since 1970, is the founder of the Estey Organ Museum in Brattleboro, Vermont. Ned is fond of saying, "This may be the only museum in the world where every visitor, regardless of age or ability, is encouraged to play all the...
Les Nicholas was hired as an engineer to assist the famed electronic music inventor Harold Bode. Mr. Bode was given a lab within the Estey Organ Company In Brattleboro, Vermont in 1954. The company wanted to expand it's products to include an electronic organ. To assist with the task he hired...
John Wessel was born in Holland and recalled with a stern face his World War II memories of running from the Nazi's. He was just one step ahead of the SS on several occasions. After the war he relocated to America where he found a sponsor in the Estey Organ Company. Before the war John had worked...
Dennis Waring has created his own line of musical products made out of cardboard. The harp and guitars are a fun way to get people playing a musical instrument, which is his main goal. He is also a historian and ethnomusicologist for the industry with the publication of his book on the history of...
John Bagnall began working in the music industry with the G. Leblanc Company before he began working for Selmer in the 1970s. He remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its biggest competitor, CG Conn. John works in the engineering department at Conn-Selmer and like so...
Marvin Bement began working in the music industry with the Selmer Company while still attending high school in Elkhart, Indiana. He remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its biggest competitor, CG Conn. For over 35 years Marvin has enjoyed the handcrafted processes of...
Mike Arthurhultz has focused much of his career on the Vincent Bach line of products. He worked for Selmer in Elkhart before it merged with CG Conn; however, Mike remained dedicated to the quality and innovative factors that provide the renowned sound of a Bach instrument.
Barbara Havens is proud to point out that her son, who works at Conn-Selmer with her, is the fourth generation within her family who works for the company! Barbara began working in the music industry with Selmer in the 1970s and remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its...
Jerry Myers is a bell maker for the Conn-Selmer Company in Elkhart, Indiana. Like so many of his co-workers within the factory, Jerry was trained on the job by those who came before him and over time Jerry found himself training some of the newer employees in much the same way. Jerry began...
Roger Zehr worked as a trumpet tester for the Vincent Bach brands of horns, beginning when the company was on its own and later when it was purchased by Selmer and when it merged to become Conn-Selmer in 2003. Bob Hodges was also a trumpet tester for the company who served as Roger’s mentor and...