RPMDA

Bernice Ash began working at the Sam Ash Music Store in New York City in 1947, one year before marrying the founder’s eldest son, Jerry. Bernice and Jerry continued the tradition of keeping the retail store in the Ash family. Bernice is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of the development of the sheet music department, which included purchasing and inventory. As head of sheet music for all of the Sam Ash locations, Bernice has designed methods and procedures that have resulted in great working relationships with the publishers as well as many satisfied customers.

Tom Baker began his career in the industry at Menchey Music outside of York, Pennsylvania, where he developed and managed the sheet music department. After 30 years, Tom is right where he started, with one exception. Today he is one of the most recognized and respected sheet music retailers in the industry. At any given Retail Print Music Dealers Association (RPMDA) meeting, you will see Tom, most likely in the background, doing what he does best -- learning and gathering information always with the hopes of improving his company’s sheet music department.

Mitchel Banks has been working in the music store his father established as far back as he can remember. After serving as a band director, Don Banks formed his retail store in Tampa in 1967. Mitchel worked side by side with his father and took an active role in band instrument repair as well as using the ever-changing technology, such as the Internet, to benefit the business. Mitchel is also active in industry groups such as NAPBIRT, NAMM, NASMD and RPMDA.

Susan Beacock walked into a shopping mall with her music director husband in 1978 and noticed a small empty shop. He suggested they open a music store with a focus on teaching studios. Susan, without any discussion, agreed. With years of hard work and the challenges of strong competition, the couple was able to keep and expand the store. The following decade their children joined in the business, becoming a vital part of the innovative marketing and service so closely associated with Beacock Music Stores in Washington and Oregon. 

Gayle Beacock and her brother are second-generation music storeowners with a flair for business and a passion for encouraging music making. Gayle’s parents started Beacock Music to build relationships with band directors, a position her father held for many years. Gayle brought new and creative marketing ideas to the company including an in-store coffee bar and other activities for parents as they waited for their children’s lessons to end. She has also been very active in the industry associations, presenting classes for NAMMU and serving as president of RPMDA. 

Ruby Beeston was a piano teacher when she suggested that a local piano store carry sheet music. The store offered her space to sell the materials, which led to her opening a small chain of retail shops in the Salt Lake City, UT area. In searching for a store name she and her husband thought about using their own name, Beeston Music, but soon realized there would be spelling and pronunciation problems, so they changed it slightly to Best In Music. Ruby sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 20 years, taking part in their historic weekly radio broadcasts, recordings and special events.
 

Bruce Bush cut his teeth in the industry as a music retailer. Just out of college he managed the print music department of Onondaga Music Service in Syracruse, New York. He later owned the store before deciding to take on the role of sales manager for Hal Leonard. A long-time advocate for music publishing, Bruce had a role in growing the sales and marketing efforts at Hal Leonard especially as it regards educational materials such as method and practice books. Bruce has been able to build meaningful relationships with dealer customers with his passion and understanding for the retailer’s role in the industry.

Brian Chung grew up surrounded by music and played piano at an early age. He earned an MBA and worked at ATT before returning to music. Brian wrote film scores using MIDI in the early 1980s, but injured his arm. As he wondered what he would do until his arm recovered, he applied and got a job at Kawai Pianos. Within several years he grew within the company, becoming senior vice president. During this time Brian became a strong supporter of many music education programs including those supported by NASMD, RPMDA and NAMM. 

Hayden Connor is very proud of his family’s long association with the Carl Fischer music publishing company in New York. His father and late brother were among the strong company leaders that helped establish the large catalog for which they are widely known. However, it was Hayden who masterfully guided the company into the global market and expanded the catalog to keep up with the ever-aggressive competition and technology-savvy customer needs. Hayden has been a strong supporter of RPMDA and other industry associations that provide services to music publishers as well as sheet music dealers. 

Craig Cornwall’s father was one of the three founders of Kendor Music Inc, a music publisher located in Delevan, New York. The trio worked together to publish band music for school programs beginning in 1953. They worked on building the catalog, starting with a focus on jazz for school programs. That series has developed into one of the company’s leading product lines and has allowed the small publisher to increase their catalog with school music and methods. Since his involvement, Craig has expanded the catalog as well as global partnerships for Kendor, covering Europe and Asia while maintaining strong relations with music dealers in America.