Band and Orchestra

Philipp Alexander is proud of his musical past. His family formed Musik-Alexander in Mainz, Germany in 1782. They began as brass instrument makers and later opened a music store while continuing the making of horns. One of the company’s milestones took place in 1909 when they introduced the now famous horn, model 103. The horn has been credited with the creation of the ultimate horn sound. Philipp has guided the company into the computer age and has had great success with e-commerce on their Internet site.

Kurt Anderson took over the music publishing company formed by his parents and more importantly kept the flame of his father’s extraordinary music legacy alive and well. In 2009, upon the centennial of Leroy Anderson’s birth, Kurt wrote several articles and helped produce a PBS program on his father’s music. The Woodbury Publishing Company continues to make Kurt’s father’s music available to bands and orchestras around the world. 

Hans-Jorg Andre’s great great grandfather formed Musikhaus Andre Musikverlag Johann Andre in 1774. The company was the first to bring lithograph processes to the production of printed music, making a profound and everlasting impact on the way music was printed. Over the years the publishing company expanded to become a music retailer in Offenbach. Under Hans-Jorg’s leadership the company embraced the computer age and on-line commerce.  

Rod Baltimore has been a music retailer in New York for over 40 years. Much of that time was spent on the famed 48th street music central. Working with brass and woodwinds, Rod has maintained one of the most sought after repair shops in the state and often does work for customers outside the state and country. His career is highlighted by stories of Manny’s Music across the street and Sam Ash as well as the many friends and celebrities he has worked with over the years.

Emile Baran began a music retail business that led to the opportunity for expanding into the music wholesale business. Emile formed DeKalb Music Supply, a music retail store in Decatur, Georgia in 1958. Several years later he expanded into the wholesale business, thanks in large part to his understanding of the school music market. Upon the milestone of his 50th year in business, Emile was presented with an award from NAMM and exclaimed, “That was easy. Let’s go for another 50 years!” 

Chuck Barnhouse is the third generation to own and operate the C. L. Barnhouse Publishing Company. His grandfather established the firm in 1886 and over the years the company has commissioned a rather impressive list of composers to create band and orchestral music. Among their most noted composers, James Swearingen, Alfred Reed and Frank Mantooth. After outgrowing their facilities in 1987, Chuck oversaw the building of the new headquarters and improved production of all areas of the publishing process.

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. 

Larry Bearce formed Reston Music in northern Virginia in the 1960s and has since opened several locations in the area. One key to the store’s success is the man himself. He is a dedicated music maker who finds personal satisfaction in watching student’s progress and learn music. He takes pride in knowing each student and the families, a fact apparent to all those who visit his store. Larry is proud of his staff and that fact that all of his seven children have something to do with music, including a son who runs one of the stores. 

Harry Begian has become one of the most respected band directors in the United States. Serving at the high school and college levels for over 45 years, Dr. Begian conducted his first band while he was in his teens. As the band director at Detroit’s Cass Technical High School and for 14 years at the University of Illinois, he taught his students respect for the classics and the power of team work.

Ray Benedetto and Gene Garb were interviewed together in connection with the 50th anniversary of NEMC (National Educational Music Company) at the NAMM show in 2007. Ray, the president and founder, has worked closely with Garb, the vice president, for 47 years. Together they outlined the original goals of NEMC of Mountainside, NJ. The ideas behind their teaching methods have expanded over the decades, and so have the services they offer music makers of all ages. But, as Ray says, “Surprisingly little has changed in our approach.