The Historic Conn Instrument Company Charles Gerard Conn was the patriarch of musical instrument manufacturing in Elkhart, Indiana. The business was renamed C.G.
In 1873, following a brawl in a bar which resulted in a split lip, C.G. Conn developed a brass mouthpiece with a rubber rim. Conn converted an old sewing machine to a lathe and set-up a shop building these mouthpieces. In 1875, a French instrument maker named Dupont began repairing instruments in Conn’s shop. After watching him work for a few days, Conn believed he could build his own instrument.
In that same year, Colonel Conn would build the first American made cornet. By 1879, Conn moved operations into larger quarters and began making other instruments. In 1880, the town of Elkhart, Indiana became so enamored with C.G. Conn they elected him as their Mayor. During his second term, he was forced to resign due to a factory fire in 1883. The factory was rebuilt bigger and better and production continued. By 1893 his instruments were awarded the highest honors in the World’s Columbia Exposition in Chicago. The Colonel loved strange and bizarre instruments. In 1907, he built an immensaphone, the largest horn in the world at 12 feet in diameter and 35 feet long. Conn also continued on a series of “firsts”, building the first American made saxophone and the first sousaphone, built to John Philip Sousa’s specifications. In 1915, Conn retired and the company was purchased by Carl Greenleaf. Conn Ltd. During this era, Carl Greenleaf began the National School Band Movement. In 1923, Greenleaf established the first National Band Contest in Chicago, and the Conn National School of Music, also in Chicago. In 1928, he supported the National Music Camp located in Interlochen, Michigan. The company flourished until World War II. In 1942, the factory retooled to manufacture compasses, altimeters, and other items related to the war effort. During this time, many of Conn’s dealers turned to smaller instrument makers who were allowed to manufacture instruments on a limited basis. Coming out of wartime production, Conn found difficulty regaining its position as the number one band instrument maker. In 1969, the Greenleaf family sold the business to Crowell-Collier MacMillan, a publishing company. Manufacturing of Conn instruments was split between Nogales, Arizona and Abilene, Texas; the Elkhart factory was sold to the Selmer Company. In the 80’s through a series of mergers, C.G. Conn Ltd was combined with Slingerland Drum Company, Artley, Scherl & Roth, and several other musical instrument manufacturers and distributors to eventually form United Musical Instruments (UMI). In 2002, UMI merged with the Selmer Company to form Conn-Selmer, Inc. and later in 2004 merged with G. Leblanc Corporation.
06/03/2026
“The tone is warm and even across the entire instrument. I’d love to play this again!”
Saxophonist Greg Ward plays the new CONNfirmation alto saxophone.
Hear it for yourself, then find the CAS811LTD150 at a dealer near you: bit.ly/CONNfirmationAltoSax
05/13/2026
Things we love about Philly: hockey, cheesesteaks, Rocky Balboa, and Jeffrey Lang with his Conn 8D.
05/07/2026
Music educators shape more than musicians. They strengthen communities.
Since C.G. Conn founded the Conn Conservatory of Music in 1896, Conn Selmer has been committed to supporting music educators and expanding access to the arts.
This Teacher Appreciation Week, we celebrate the educators who bring music’s impact to life every day.
05/04/2026
That heroic horn sound from a galaxy far, far away? It was performed on a Conn 8D.
From David Cripps in the original Star Wars film to Dylan Hart, Laura Brenes, and Steve Becknell in modern recordings, the Force is strong with the 8D.
Introducing the NEW Conn tuba lineup. Built on a legacy that helped shape the sound of American brass. Designed to deliver depth, power, and presence at every level.
This International Tuba Day, we celebrate the sound that anchors the ensemble.
Conn Trombone Artist John Sipher, principal trombonist of the Colorado Symphony, visited Colorado State University for a masterclass and performance.
It was great to support John as he shared his experiences with the next generation, and performed his own original compositions, works that are adding a distinctive voice to the trombone repertoire.
04/08/2026
Grammy-nominated saxophonist and UNT Professor Bradford Leali grew up on Cannonball, Coltrane, and Bird. Here are the five records that inspired him to stand among the greats.
🔷 𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨 - Miles Davis
"At 12 years old, I listened to this album every day, all day and night and decided that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."
🔷 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙊𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙣 - Shirley Scott and Stanley Turrentine
"The swing and soulfulness of this album always resonated with me and showcased how jazz was such an integral part of our community."
🔷 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙚 𝙅𝙖𝙯𝙯 - John Coltrane
"This album always showcased the musical and artistic intelligence of John Coltrane. All the tunes had a meaningful existence. They weren’t just written for the sake of composition but they all had a spiritual or personal purpose."
🔷 𝘽𝙞𝙧𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙩. 𝙉𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙨 - Charlie Parker
"Pure GENIUS. This album always and still makes me feel that I really missed out by not being able to see Charlie Parker live."
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