Music Manufacturing

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...
Jeff Crume began his career in the music industry with the Armstrong Flute Company, which was later purchased by UMI and then Selmer.  In 2003 Selmer merged with Conn, allowing Jeff to remain with the same company for over 30 years!  He has worked many of the positions within the factory and has...
Bernice Pelmear began working in the Selmer factory in Elkhart, Indiana in 1973.  She was trained by veteran co-workers, a tradition she carried on as a trainer years later.  Her work focused on assembling oboes and bassoons and continued on after the merge with Conn.
Elaine Taylor began working on the bench at Selmer in Elkhart in 1975, where she covered cases.  Over the years she has worked in the cork and padding department for saxophones, also in the instrument cleaning department, in the office and then as a supervisor in the instrument accessory...
Joe Calzone grew up playing drums. His passion for the instrument lead to his involvement with several bands and memorial concert performances before having the idea of creating his own style of road cases. He spoke to many fellow musicians and designed a line of products that became standard in...
Kurt Listug and his friend Bob Taylor bought the small guitar shop they were working in and renamed it Taylor Guitars. Together they built one of the fastest growing companies in the music industry in the latter part of the 20th Century and worked to create innovative products that would bring...
Ren Ferguson is among the most noted master luthiers in the United States and has been since the 1970s. Many luthiers who wish to follow his style of building have studied his approach to guitar design and building. After having his own shop for some time Ren was hired by the Gibson Guitar Company...
Ken Ingram served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Selmer Company in Elkhart, Indiana. He enjoyed working with the dealers around the country and the staff at Selmer, which he felt were the best in the business. Ken worked for Selmer from l952 until 1974 when he became Vice...

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