Music Manufacturing
Johnny Clark was a sales rep for the Slingerland Drum Company his entire career. He began working for the company when the founder’s son, Bud, was president and served under every president of the company until Slingerland was sold to Gretsch in 1994. Johnny played a vital role in expanding the new...
Richard Fruhauf is the vice president of the company his grandfather established in Wichita, Kansas in 1910. Fruhauf Uniforms has become one of the long time suppliers of marching band uniforms in the world. His grandfather, Lou, became a well-known designer of uniforms that have been worn by...
Jacquelyn Dillon-Krass was a pioneering woman in the music products industry. As a music educator she first connected with the industry when hired by Scherl & Roth in 1970 to head up their efforts to promote their string products by creating string orchestras in the public school system. She...
Kenny Fruhauf recalls with a smile the years he spent working with his grandfather, Lou, the founder of Fruhauf Uniforms in Wichita, Kansas. Lou built the business on creative designs, customer service and high quality of products and craftsmanship. The ideals of Lou continued to his son, Ken,...
G. Frank Emerson is a piano designer whose roots are firmly based in piano technician training and experiences he was involved with in the early part of his career. He became a well respected piano designer for the Baldwin Piano Company in the 1970s while continuing to support the Piano Technicians...
Wally Brooks grew up in the piano business. His father was a piano technician and Wally followed in his footsteps. Wally was 16 years old when he joined the Piano Technicians Guild in 1958. Since that time he has been a true leader within the PTG and the industry, forming life long friends and...
DeAnne Gordy began working in the music industry with Gemeinhardt in 1989. The world famous flute and piccolo maker, located in Elkhart Indiana, was established in 1948. Over the years the company perfected the craft of handmade instruments and today, even with the use of some computerized...
Roberto Tirado began working in the music industry with William Lewis & Son, the famed violin company out of Chicago. After studying building and repairs he was given the opportunity to head the string instrument line for Gemeinhardt in Elkhart, Indiana. For years Roberto has worked to...
Tony Whitt began his career in the industry with the Linton oboe company in Elkhart, Indianan. He later began working for Gemeinhart, which has been where he has been for most of his 52 plus years in the industry. At the time of his mini interview, Tony was working in finishing and final assembly...
Kent Stutzman was hired by Gemeinhart in the 1970s and has remained with the flute builder for over 35 years! During his career, Kent has worked in several positions on the line as well as in buffing and final assembly. Among the things he is most proud of is the craftsmanship of his job and the...