Oral History - all
Virgil Storm was trained on instrument repairs on the plant floor of the Conn-Selmer factory in Elkhart over 30 years ago. He began working in the music industry with the Vincent Bach Company in the 1970s and, like many of his co-workers in the factory, remained with the company when it was sold... more
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... more
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... more
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... more
Gary Morris began working in the music industry with Vincent Bach and stayed with the company when it merged to become Conn-Selmer in the early 2000s. Gary has worked in several positions within the factory including buffing and repairs. His skills as a repairman have developed over the years to... more
Brad Milliken began working in the music industry with the Vincent Bach Company and stayed with the company when it merged with Selmer and again with Conn. Brad’s positions within the factory has always been based on handcraftsmanship. While he was working in the industry during the early days of... more
David Lowell began working in the music industry with Deford in Elkhart, Indiana with a focus on piccolos. In 1974 David began working for Gemeinhardt Flute Company and remained with the company past the time of his interview in 2011.
Kent Hocker earned a music degree in performance at Indiana University before he began working in the music industry. He joined the Selmer Company of Elkhart in 1977 as a trumpet tester. Over the years Kent has played a role in the training of other testers, a position he has enjoyed. He... more
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... more
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... more
DJ Rockin Rob, from the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, was spinning records in the early days of Hip Hop, perfecting what has been a very important element to DJing, the art of showmanship! While spinning the music that he loved, Rockin Rob learned to entertain the audience with tricks and... more
DJ Jazzy Jay is the pioneering DJ and producer who helped establish Hip Hop as more than a musical form but rather a cultural experience. He began spinning records in the parks of the Bronx and soon performed in such clubs as the Roxy and Negril before teaming with other DJs. Jazzy Jay played a... more
DJ Dr. Duss, known throughout the Hip Hop world as the Mixologist, hails from the Millbrook section of the Bronx. Not only is he known as fellow legend, DJ Hollywood's DJ partner, he also shines uniquely on his own, always seeking to bring a different sound to Hip Hop by focusing on the composition... more
DJ Grandmaster Caz is the pioneering DJ also known as the Cassanova Fly who played a role in the early development of Hip Hop in his hometown of the Bronx in New York. While Caz is best known today as an MC and lyric writer, he began his career in music as a DJ in the parks of New York mixing... more
Afrika Bambaataa, known as the godfather of Hip Hop, prefers to be referred to as the "Amen Ra of Universal Hip Hop Culture." He is one of the trinity of DJs known as the founders of Hip Hop. From his home turf of Bronx River, Afrika Bambaataa nurtured the development of Hip Hop culture from it's... more
Joe Cook began working in the music products industry with Selmer in 1966 with a focus on the saxophone products. He joined the Gemeinhart Flute Company in 1986 and remained with the famed Elkhart, Indiana firm until the time of his mini interview in 2011. While working with the Selmer Company,... more
Brad Burleson 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 biggest competitor, CG Conn. Brad works in the assembly department at Conn-Selmer with a focus on the trumpet and flugelhorn products.
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... more
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.
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... more