Music Manufacturing
David Estey is related to the Estey's who established the Vermont-based Estey Organ Company in 1846 as well as the Estey Piano factory in New York. Pianos must be in his blood as David became a piano technician before opening his own store in New Jersey. Along the way he decided to create a line of...
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...
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...
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...
John Foley grew up in Elkhart, Indiana and began working in the Selmer factory before graduating high school. He stayed on with the company, working in the Bach department with a focus on trumpet assembly. Over the years John has taken on the role of teaching the craft to new employees, a part of...
Dennis Ward takes great pride in the work he does making musical instruments! He began working in the music industry with Vincent Bach in the 1970s and remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged to become Conn-Selmer. In recent years Dennis manages the machines which make parts...