In Memoriam

Remembering oral history interviewees who passed away in 2010.

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Webb Phillips

Webb Phillips formed the Allied Piano Company outside of Philadelphia with the goal of filling a need. As a piano technician it was hard to find...
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Jacob Malta

Jacob Malta was an innovator in designing handbells and hand chimes. His approach to product development and engineering led to several...
Robert Beals thumbnail

Robert Beals

Robert Beals was just a young man when he first met Chick Evans. The two worked to perfect and promote Mr. Evan’s idea of a synthetic drumhead...
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Harry Begian

Harry Begian was one of the most respected band directors in the United States. Serving at the high school and college levels for over 45...
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Geoff Brash

Geoff Brash was an iconic music retailer in Australia who became known around the world for his passion and his brilliant business knowledge....
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Koob Veneman

Koob Veneman’s father started the first Veneman’s Music Store in Holland, an idea copied by Koob in Maryland in 1960. Koob, like his...
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Kees van Willigen

Kees van Willigen opened a music shop in Holland in 1968. As an accordion player he specialized in the instrument and soon gained a world-wide...
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John Keal

John Keal was one of the very few who attended the Conn band instrument repair school in Elkhart, enrolling in the school just after World War II....
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Professor Fritz Sennheiser

Professor Fritz Sennheiser was the head of an engineering team of German scientists assembled right after World War II to improve the function of the...
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Irwin Rabinowitz

Irwin Rabinowitz was personally hired by Irving Berlin to create the lead plates for the famed songwriter's sheet music. Irwin's craft was hand...

© 2010 NAMM, the International Music Products Association