Selmer Band Instruments

 Ray Anthony has only endorsed two products during his long and successful career-- only two because he doesn’t give use of his name lightly.  As a teenager he played trumpet for the famed Glenn Miller Orchestra during the swing era.  A decade later he formed his own band and recorded a number of his own tunes including “The Bunny Hop.”  He played a Selmer trumpet in his early career, but switched some 40 years ago to a Yamaha trumpet.  Ray also formed his own music publishing company along the way and produced and released several well-selling albums.

Charles Bickel was working on the bench at Selmer when George Bundy decided to try a different plastic emulsion for his idea of a plastic clarinet. The first try was not successful. Mr. Bickel recalled the look in Bundy’s eyes when the first Resonate clarinet was tested, “We all started to clap and cheer.” The product saved the Depression-weary company and, because of its low cost, allowed many families on tight budgets to still afford music for their children. Charles worked his way up to president of Selmer before his retirement in the 1970s.

Jeanne Bundy-Morrow was only married to Frank Bundy a few months when her father-in-law, the pioneering instrument designer George Bundy, passed away. Because Jeanne had known George for many years it was a blow to her and her entire family when he died in 1951. At the time, George Bundy was president of Selmer, a position his son Frank would later hold. Jeanne spoke of her husband’s long and productive career in the industry following in his father’s footsteps when she was interviewed in 2004
 

Rollie Bunn worked at Taylor Music in Aberdeen, South Dakota, when he was growing up and in fact returned to the store to work full time after attending Northern State Teacher’s College. During his college years he was a part time band director, which he enjoyed, before returning to Taylor. Ten years later in 1969, Rolli moved to Elkhart, Indiana, where he soon became the marketing manager for Selmer. The company has just purchased Premier Drums, and Rolli was in charge of product development.

 Tom Burzycki served as President of Selmer Band Instruments while at the same time being on the NAMM Board as one of the first four commercial members to do so.  He followed that term as President of the American Music Conference during the important transition and growth of the organization during the 1990s.  His long career in the industry was followed by a part time teaching position at the University of Indiana, covering both business and advertising.  Tom’s unique approach to music education has played a vital role in many of the ind

Buddy DeFranco’s clarinet style helped to legitimize the instrument in the post-swing era as a modern jazz instrument and his techniques have been a major influence on performers ever since the late 1940s. Buddy’s powerful tone and unique approach to phrasing gave rise to the clarinet’s strong presence in the modern and post-modern jazz eras. His popularity led to a long time endorsement relationship with G. Leblanc and a close relationship with some of the industry’s leaders such as Danny Henkin and Vito Pascucci. In later years several models were made for Buddy, each of which had his own design ideas and suggestions.
 

Lloyd Fillio grew up in the band instrument capital, Elkhart, Indiana. His father worked in the industry as did his uncle and cousin (Ernie Kenaga who was also interviewed). It seemed natural for Lloyd to work in the industry. He worked for CG Conn for a short time before moving over to Selmer in 1960 where he took part in the relocation of the Vincent Bach trumpet division, which was purchased by Selmer in 1963. Lloyd enjoyed his role as product developer and felt rewarded as the company began to focus on brass instruments from that point on. 

Ron Griggs dreamed of being a band teacher as a child. His career as a teacher was rewarding and helpful when he was hired by Selmer as the sales and marketing manager because he had gained understanding of the players’ needs. Since then, Ron has worked with many of the industry’s best known band instrument companies and applied his knowledge and passion to increase awareness of products and innovations.  

Joe Guth’s career in the music products industry began with a short stint with Selmer and as a former band director he brought a great perspective to selling instruments to school music programs. He later had a storied 25-year career at Gemeinhart Flutes in Elkhart, IN, where he furthered his relationships with dealers in larger markets along with the band directors with whom he could so easily relate. One of Joe’s most satisfying aspects of his career in the industry is the many friendships he has developed along the way.

Ken Ingram served as Vice President of Marketing for the Selmer Company in Elkhart, Indiana during the 1960s and 70s. He enjoyed working with the dealers around the country and the staff at Selmer, which he felt were the best in the business. While he later worked in the television industry, Ken always said he enjoyed his career in the music products industry most of all. Ken’s interview was completed in 2011 after several of his former co-workers and dealers recommended him for the Oral History collection.