Music Manufacturing
Naomi Peer recalls the days Danny Henkin brought the CG Conn Company back to Elkhart, Indiana in the 1980s, which is when she first began working for the company. She stayed on during the merge with Selmer in 2003 and has witnessed many changes within the industry. As an office worker, Naomi...
Tom Lacy began working for Armstrong flutes right out of high school in 1971 in the very plant he is working some 40 years later for the Conn-Selmer Company in Elkhart, Indiana. Along the way, Tom built his own flutes for several years before joining UMI and later Conn-Selmer. During his long...
John Crise began his career in the music industry with Selmer in 1975. He has focused his work on the oboe, clarinet and bassoon in the years before the CNC machines came to the company. Even after that time John has used his skills as a craftsman to provide the detail work and adjustments...
Roger Shelton was hired by the Armstrong Flute Company and stayed on with the company when it merged with Selmer and later with Conn. Like so many of the factory workers in the plant, Roger takes great pride in the craftsmanship and skills he brings to the process of making musical instruments.
Jonathan Montel has worked on the bench in the factory at Selmer in Elkhart for over 40 years! He has worked in many positions during his career with a special concentration on oboes, clarinets and bassoons. He has also seen many changes to the process of instrument making, including the first...
Kenneth Glore began working for Bach in the saxophone department before working for Linton on oboes and then off to Armstrong flutes that was later bought by Selmer. He has been with Conn-Selmer ever since. In all, he has been in the industry for over 50 years and has enjoyed his work in the...
Sue Bagnall is quick to point out that her favorite part of working for Conn-Selmer and being involved with the music industry are the people! She was hired by Selmer and stayed with the company during the merge with CG Conn, working primarily in the office. Over the years, she feels the greatest...
Terry Taylor has worked in the music industry his entire career. After his service in the Marine Corp, Terry began working for CG Conn in the factory in Elkhart, Indiana. He later worked for Armstrong flutes before they merged with Selmer. Terry takes pride in his hands on work and the fact that...
Sandy Peffley was hired by her uncle who owned the Armstrong Flute Company, when Sandy was just out of high school. She stayed with the company when it was sold to Selmer and again when it merged with Conn in 2003. Like so many factory workers in the plant, Sandy enjoys the precision work of the...
Steve Lynn began working with his brother in 1974, finishing flutes for the Gemeinhart Company in Elkhart, Indiana. Three years later he joined the Armstrong Company as an experienced finisher. He worked with legendary flute maker Emerson DeFord for a few years before joining Gemeinhart again and...