Elkhart IN

Mike Arthurhultz has focused much of his career on the Vincent Bach line of products.  He worked for Selmer in Elkhart before it merged with CG Conn; however, Mike remained dedicated to the quality and innovative factors that provide the renowned sound of a Bach instrument.

John Bagnall began working in the music industry with the G. Leblanc Company before he began working for Selmer in the 1970s.  He remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its biggest competitor, CG Conn.  John works in the engineering department at Conn-Selmer and like so many factory workers in the industry he is passionate about his work and the level of quality he produces.

Sue Bagnall is quick to point out that her favorite part of working for Conn-Selmer and being involved with the music industry are the people!  She was hired by Selmer and stayed with the company during the merge with CG Conn, working primarily in the office.  Over the years, she feels the greatest change to her job has been in the development of the computer and the changing technology since that time.

Clay Barclay was associated with Crown International in Elkhart, Indiana for more than 40 years. As a kid, he took radios apart to see how they worked and has been fascinated with audio his entire life. He is a brain surgeon by trade but always worked in the field of electronics with the goal of improving audio equipment. Among the many products Clay was involved with at Crown were the DC300 and DC300A amplifiers, which were originally designed by Gerald Stanley, as an ultra-quality power supply for General Electric.

Jim Beattie went to his local audio dealer in Columbus, Ohio in 1971 seeking high-end gear. The dealer invited Jim to tour the Crown International factory with him following week in Elkhart. Jim was approached to fill a job position while there and joined the company that year, 1971, and retired in 1998! Along the way, Jim worked on many special products for the company including the Distinction Series. He was able to meet Frank Zappa and worked with customers around the world as General Sales Manager. Like so many who stayed with the company for years, Jim felt a true since of be

Harvey Becker began working for CG Conn in Elkhart, Indiana and later worked for Armstrong, which later became Selmer then Conn-Selmer.  He has witnessed many changes in the industry; the largest in his view have been the CNC machines and computers, although his skills and craftsmanship are still a very important part of the process of making quality musical instruments!

Marvin Bement began working in the music industry with the Selmer Company while still attending high school in Elkhart, Indiana.  He remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its biggest competitor, CG Conn.  For over 35 years Marvin has enjoyed the handcrafted processes of creating musical instruments.

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.

Richard Boynton had many fond memories of the music industry. His grandfather was once the owner of CG Conn Musical Instruments in Elkhart, Indiana. In fact, Mr. Greenleaf purchased the company from Colonel Conn in 1915 and developed many of the practices that allowed the company to endure the Great Depression, participating in building for the war effort in the 1940s and helped strengthen music educational programs after the war! Richard proudly worked in the company from the mid-1950s until 1972, when he formed a musical instrument transport business.

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 2005 

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 had just purchased Premier Drums, and Rolli was in charge of product development.

Brad Burleson began working in the music industry with Selmer in the 1970s and remained with the company in the early 2000s when it merged with its biggest competitor, CG Conn.  Brad works in the assembly department at Conn-Selmer with a focus on the trumpet and flugelhorn products.

Thomas 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 industry’s programs and projects during his

Joe Cook began working in the music products industry with Selmer in 1966 with a focus on the saxophone products.  He joined the Gemeinhart Flute Company in 1986 and remained with the famed Elkhart, Indiana firm until the time of his mini interview in 2011.  While working with the Selmer Company, Joe played a role in the assembly, testing and artist relations including getting to work first hand with such performers as Boots Randolph.

William Cordier remembered piling in the family car for a road trip to their favorite lake northwest of their home in Ohio.  Each and every trip included a detour into Elkhart, Indiana where his father would pull over and show off the large sign announcing the "World's Biggest Musical Instrument Maker!"  Following his own career as an engineer at GE, Bill was given the opportunity to run Conn when it was owned by McMillan in the 1970s.  He soon shared his father's passion for the company and especially the people, who William thought were among the most passionate and dedicated wo

John Creachbaum began his career in the music industry with Coffman Music in Ohio before he joined the Selmer Company in Elkhart, Indiana in 1984.  He studied music education in college and trained to be a band director before working for the music store for eight years.  His background as both an educator and retailer has served him well with his positions at Conn-Selmer.

John Crise began his career in the music industry with Selmer in 1975.  He has focused his work on the oboe, clarinet and bassoon in the years before the CNC machines came to the company.  Even after that time John has used his skills as a craftsman to provide the detail work and adjustments required to produce a quality instrument.

Jeff Crume began his career in the music industry with the Armstrong Flute Company, which was later purchased by UMI and then Selmer.  In 2003 Selmer merged with Conn, allowing Jeff to remain with the same company for over 30 years!  He has worked many of the positions within the factory and has great pride in the people he has worked with and the products he has helped create.

Mark Darnell, as a musician, often wondered about the inner workings of the microphones he used, so he set out to learn more and in 1992 was asked to join the Crown International team in the customer service department covering the company’s microphone products. He soon became an expert on the product line and was the first Crown Microphone Engineering Tech, a position he enjoyed very much. He worked closely with product engineer Tom Lininger (1935-1998) and honored Mr. Lininger during his NAMM Oral History interview by having Mr. Lininger’s image behind him. Mark worked for Crown

Emerson DeFord was a master craftsman who as a builder designed a number of flutes ranging from student models to professional instruments. As a businessman, he formed a number of well-branded companies including E. L. DeFord Flutes, the Picolo Company, Custom Woodwinds and Emerson Musical Instruments. As a passionate music maker, he supported school music programs, donated countless instruments and designed flutes for those with special needs. As a teacher, he mentored younger generations on the art form of flute design and building. He began making flutes in 1952 and was still h

Don Eger earned his degree in electric engineering and began working for Crown International in 1964. A few years later he became a draftsman in the Engineering Department and by 1977 he was the Product Development Manager helping the company create some of their innovative amplifiers and microphones. In 1981, Don started the Techron Division to market to industrial as well as OEM manufacturers. He worked for the company for 30 years, retiring in 1994.

Karen Feltz was one of the voices of Conn-Selmer as she serves in the customer service department.  She joined Selmer right out of high school and has worked for the company for over 40 years.  Music dealers around the world know Karen for her dedication to finding answers to their questions and for following up on their requests.

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. 

Tom Fischer worked for the Gemeinhart flute company in Elkhart, Indiana for over 25 years.  Tom was part of the factory workers team and contributed his hand-craftsmenship to the assembly of both student and professional level flutes.  He later joined the Conn-Selmer Company where he continued to work on the bench building horns.

John Foley grew up in Elkhart, Indiana and began working in the Selmer factory before graduating high school.  He stayed on with the company, working in the Bach department with a focus on trumpet assembly.  Over the years John has taken on the role of teaching the craft to new employees, a part of the job he enjoys as it follows a long tradition in the company of passing on your knowledge.

John Fulton has had a very interesting ascent to his position as Vice President of Sales for Conn-Selmer. He started taking violin lessons in the fourth grade, at first to get out of class but discovered a teacher who inspired him to do his best and work hard. He played in the all-star band in high school and earned a degree in music education at Arizona State University. John picked up a part-time job cleaning instruments at American Music Company in Mesa in 1997, which led to a school road rep job for Milano’s Music where he stayed for five years.

Rocky Giglio was a pivotal leader in the development and marketing of the jj Babbitt mouthpieces product line. For years, he diligently listened to feedback from customers and professional musicians, always seeking ways to enhance their mouthpieces while upholding jj Babbitt’s renowned traditions and quality. Prior to his tenure at jj Babbitt, Rocky held a similar role at the CG Conn company in Elkhart, Indiana, for many years. He was also a staunch supporter of the NAMM Oral History program, offering invaluable advice and ideas that enriched the collection and helped document the

James Glanville was part of the team that relocated the Conn instrument manufacturing operations from Elkhart, IN to Nogales, Mexico, back in 1972. The result was a heavy blow to Elkhart, which had once been the Band Instrument Capital of the World. However, it was a needed move in order to keep the company viable in the changing world of manufacturing. James worked hard to produce quality instruments in the Nogales factory, which remained open until the early 1980s.

Kenneth Glore began working for Bach in the saxophone department before working for Linton on oboes and then off to Armstrong flutes that was later bought by Selmer.  He has been with Conn-Selmer ever since.  In all, he has been in the industry for over 50 years and has enjoyed his work in the factories very much.

DeAnne Gordy began working in the music industry with Gemeinhardt in 1989.  The world famous flute and piccolo maker, located in Elkhart Indiana, was established in 1948.  Over the years the company perfected the craft of handmade instruments and today, even with the use of some computerized machines, the role of hand crafted processes is still very much a part of each instrument.  DeAnne has enjoyed her role in making musical instruments and takes pride in the fact that her work goes on to make music!

Jim Green has been a fixture in the Elkhart band instrument industry since the 1960s.  He first worked for Armstrong Flute Company before joining jj Babbitt in 1974.  After a short absence from the mouthpiece maker, Jim returned in 1983 and has been a key part of the company ever since.  As the Vice President of Manufacturing for the company, Jim oversees all of the dealer accounts and works directly with band and orchestra manufacturers who use JJ Babbitt mouthpieces for their instruments.  Jim has always been proud to represent such an iconic brand within the music industry and

Dennis Guillaume began his career in the music industry in piano retail in the late 70's, a position he feels very much assisted him when he worked for Kimball Pianos throughout the 1980's. During this time the piano industry was experiencing steady decline. In an effort to reverse the trends, Dennis took part in several marketing and promotional projects including the 1984 Olympics in which 84 grand pianos were used in the opening ceremonies and the 1988 Super Bowl in which 88 grand pianos were used during the half time program –and every last one of the pianos were Kimball. Denn