MPA

Susan Brailove was the director of Oxford University Press and is still a music publisher with her own company. With a tremendous understanding of the role of the music editor, Susan recently published a chronological history of the music engraver’s role. As a member of the Music Publishers Association she has expanded the awareness of the music editor’s role within the music industry. Her NAMM Oral History interview was completed on September 14, 2005.
 

Arnold Broido was an industry treasure! The man had sophistication and charm as abundantly as he had energy and ideas! Having worked in nearly every level of the music publishing industry, Arnold gained the respect of his peers and the confidence of songwriters such as Frank Loesser. He began his long and successful career with Theodore Presser in 1969 and in 1972 began serving on the ASCAP Board. Mr.

Daniel Dorff has been heavily involved in the music publishing industry for most of his professional life. He has worked for the Theodore Presser Company in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, since 1985. He worked side-by-side Arnold Broido who was an iconic figure in copyright and music advocacy that served as a mentor to many people in the industry, including Daniel. In addition to working to grow the company’s business, Daniel also has worked with the industry, serving organizations such as the Music Publishers Association, for which he has served on the board and several adhoc committees. 

Arthur Gurwitz joined Southern Music Company in the late 1940s, soon after his military service during World War II. He expanded the business into publishing, and soon the Southern Music catalog became one of the best known around the world. Arthur played a vital role in the growth and development of the company and the industry as he sought to publish composers who may have otherwise been forgotten. Active in the industry, Arthur served as president of Music Industry Conference (1978-1980) and later on the Music Publishers Association (MPA) Board.

William Heese has a reputation like no other in the music-publishing world, a reputation well deserved. Bill has not only been a mainstay in the industry for over 30 years, he has been a tireless promoter of the music publishing history. Bill played a vital role in several publishing associations including RPMDA, MPA, and even this oral history program for NAMM. He has become a mentor and an inspiration for many who witness his example and hope to follow in his footsteps. Bill’s love of the print world may only be equaled by his love of baseball, making it fitting at the NAMM Resource Center created a legacy collection named after Bill that seeks to collect photographs and other materials depicting baseball stars playing a musical instruments.

Lauren Keiser is a passionate music publisher. As president of Carl Fischer he worked long and hard to create new products taking advantage of the developments in technology. As a result the company boasts of innovative DVDs and interactive method programs that have won awards and helped change the way people buy and use print music. As president of the Music Publishers Association he has addressed concerns of illegal down loads and created a much- praised campaign to educate school administrators and school boards as to what are the legal uses of print music.

John Kozar is the founder of Piano Productions Press in Philadelphia. This music publishing company was formed to release the works of the First Piano Quartet, which began broadcasting a 20-minute radio program in the 1940s that ran for 12 years. The amazing output of the quartet were mostly based on 4 pianos 8 hands original compositions. Piano Productions Press also publishes the novel and popular “Noise of a Multitude” by Shane Cadman, which was written for 1 piano 18 hands.
 

Iris Manus and her husband, Morty, are one of the most adorable couples you may ever meet. Their interview was full of colorful remembrances of the early days of Alfred Publishing, how they met, and the great pride of their sons now running the company. The friendships they have created in the industry and the reputation they created within their company is legendary. What they spent little time talking about was their enormous impact on the industry, the guitar method markets that have increased since Morton’s first publication and their support of many elements of the music industry, including RPMDA and NAMM. 

Keith Mardak provided great detail of the history of Hal Leonard Publishing, especially the stories of the company's founder, who passed away years ago, before they could be interviewed for this program. Without Keith's insight the early days of this important music publisher may have been lost. Keith also added background on his own impressive career in our industry, as well as his insights on the condition of the industry.

Harold Moseley was hired by Charles Hansen in the 1960s at the height of the legendary music publisher’s innovative career. Harold was on hand when Hansen developed several now standard practices in print music and went to work for Capital Music a wholesaler and distributor of Hansen’s music in Seattle, Washington. Harold later worked with the Big 3 Music Publishers group and stayed with the company through several changes in ownership, including United Artists and EMI. He expressed the thrill of going to the NAMM trade shows and the opportunity the show provided him in getting to meeting with other members of industry, such as his dealers.