Adrian Gomez

A Conversation with Florent Milhaud: Leading Innovation at Henri Selmer Paris

They say to never bring your home work with you, but no one ever said anything , we had the pleasure of sitting down with Florent Milhaud, the saxophone product manager for Henri SELMER Paris. In this insightful interview, Florent shares his journey from being a passionate saxophone player to leading the product management team at one of the most prestigious saxophone manufacturers in the world. With over 15 years of experience, Florent gives us a glimpse into the meticulous process of research and development at the historical SELMER factory in Montville, near Paris. From Player to Product Manager Florent Milhaud’s journey began as a saxophone player, where his love for the instrument eventually led him to his current role. He speaks about the immense privilege and responsibility he feels in managing the saxophone product line at Henri Selmer Paris, a brand synonymous with quality and innovation in the world of wind instruments. Innovation at SELMER’s Historical Factory The SELMER factory in Mantes-la-Ville, located about 50 kilometers from Paris, has been the birthplace of SELMER saxophones since the 1920s. Florent explains the importance of this historical site, where tradition and innovation blend seamlessly. The factory is home to a dedicated

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GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT: “Beethoven x Beyoncé” with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

GIRLS! They run the world…. they turn up the night… and if you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it! This newest fusion production by Steve Hackman celebrates and elevates all things woman! We’re thrilled to partner with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) to bring you an unforgettable evening with “Beethoven x Beyoncé,” a part of ISO’s groundbreaking Uncharted Series. Imagine the exhilarating combination of classical music’s King and pop’s Queen, as Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, one of the most joyful celebrations of dance in the symphonic repertoire, sets the stage for an innovative musical fusion.

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How “Fallout” Broadened My Musical Horizons

Video games and music are two passions that hold a special place in my heart. My bandmates, who became lifelong friends, were also my gaming buddies. We spent countless days playing a robust lineup of Halo, Smash Bros., and Mario Kart—back in its prime. Amidst our competitive bouts, I couldn’t help but savor the soundtracks echoing from the speakers. The iconic Halo Opening Suite is as monumental to me as the first time I experienced Mahler’s Symphony No. 5.

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Pop Goes Classical: Why the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s “Uncharted Series” Just Works

Pessimists will argue that classical music is dead because it is inaccessible, too expensive, or worst of all, boring. Those same people would say that pop music has no value because it lacks complexity, is overproduced and – wouldn’t you guess it – also boring. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? What if we didn’t have to choose between Beethoven or Beyoncé, Brahms or Radiohead, Stravinsky or Kendrick Lamar? Well, thanks to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Uncharted Series, you don’t have to choose between classical, pop, rap, or rock. You can have it all!

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Women in Jazz: Icons of the Past, Present, and Future

March is Women’s History Month, and what better way to celebrate than by diving into the lives and legacies of five of the most influential women in jazz music? These artists have not only shaped the genre with their unparalleled talents and groundbreaking contributions but also paved the way for future generations of musicians. Let’s explore the stories of these iconic figures, whose music continues to inspire and resonate across the globe.

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Your Ultimate Guide to Band and Orchestra Rentals in Indianapolis

At Paige’s Music, we partner with hundreds schools throughout the state for easy and convenient acquisition of band and orchestra instruments. For many families, the easiest option is to rent. Renting with Paige’s Music is a great opportunity to participate in music-making. We make rental easy and convenient and provide you with peace of mind. Here’s how our rental program works:

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Exploring “The Last Repair Shop”: A Film That Resonates with Music Lovers and Beyond

At Paige’s Music, the Oscar season buzz reached its peak with the trailer release of a remarkable short film, “The Last Repair Shop.” Directed by the talented duo Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers, this film offers an intimate glimpse into one of the remaining instrument repair shops in the U.S., uniquely managed by a school district—specifically, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the nation’s second-largest, educating over 600,000 students across more than 1,000 schools. To give some perspective, Indiana’s three largest school corporations combined would barely make the top 50 largest districts in the U.S. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or someone who enjoys music from the sidelines, “The Last Repair Shop” delivers universally relatable and profoundly human stories. After watching, I felt compelled to share my key takeaways from this inspiring film: The Unexpected Journeys Music Can Inspire The film intricately follows Steve Bagmanyan, Shop Supervisor and Piano Technician, alongside his team—Dana Atkinson (String Technician), Paty Moreno (Brass Technician), and Duane Michaels (Woodwind Technician)—as they repair and prepare instruments for students. Their stories, from encountering Elvis to escaping war in Armenia, highlight music’s power to shape lives in unpredictable and meaningful ways. The Power of Empathy and Support

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Employee Spotlight | The Man, The Myth, The Mather

We are so excited to be bringing back a series that has remained dormant since 2019, and that would be our Employee Spotlights! We have some truly wonderful people working here at Paige’s Music, and I’m looking forward to sitting down with each and every one of them (whether they like it or not) to highlight what makes them such an integral part of Paige’s Music. Up first is the “vibe master” himself, Trevor Mather! Trevor was a fresh graduate of Ball State University when he started working at Paige’s Music in 2021. Since then, he has quickly established himself as a go to resource for students and pros alike looking to upgrade their gear. On top of his responsibilities here at the store, Trevor puts his Jazz Performance degree to work with the Hickey-Schanafelt 9ollective, as well as various other groups in the Indy jazz scene. One thing that always amazes me about Trevor is his ability to balance his work, with the things he enjoys for fun, which includes but is not limited to: Bowling, Running, Videogames, Fishing, Grilling, and being a good father to his cat, Poko. We’re truly fortunate to have someone like Trevor add to

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Instrument Maintenance Tips – Winter Break Edition

Instrument Maintenance Tips – Winter Break Edition Whether you are intentionally taking some time away from your instrument over the holidays or have been playing every single day for the past week and a half, now is a great time to give your instrument some much-needed TLC. We recommend having your instrument checked by a professional every six months. If it hasn’t been that long yet, follow these tips to maintain your instrument until your next tune-up! If your instrument is broken, have a professional inspect it. Anything from loose bracings, broken keys, to a warped bridge—we will take care of it for you! Even though winter break is almost over, it isn’t too late to bring your instrument in for repair. We will get you checked into our system and can even provide you with a loaner to take back to school while we work on the repairs. Once your instrument is playing as good as new, our district managers will work with your music teacher to get the loaner swapped out and reunite you with your instrument. Don’t leave your instrument in the cold car! To and from school, maybe a quick stop to run an errand or

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3rd Annual Test Drive Your Solo Is ON!

Are you someone who suffers from stage fright or performance anxiety? Are you someone that absolutely loves to play your instrument, but the idea of playing in front of a group of people seems unthinkable? Sometimes all you need to do to shake off the performance jitters is to get some sort of run through or performance under your belt. If you’re looking for a low stakes opportunity to run through your solo AND get some valuable feedback on your feedback, then “Test Drive Your Solo” (TDYS for short) is the event for you! Register for “Test Drive Your Solo” here! Test running your solo isn’t the only benefit of TDYS! Think of it as a full simulation of what your ISSMA Solo and Ensemble day will look like, from preparing a healthy breakfast in the morning to fuel your performance, staying hydrated and focused, arriving to your appointment early and utilizing that time efficiently for a good warm up, honestly this list could go on and on. The final benefit is the feedback you will get from our incredible judges! While the average ISSMA time slot is 7 minutes, our time slots are 10 minutes, which gives you plenty

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Ball State University Combo Plays “The Egyptian”

Even though I moved here at the beginning of 2020, I still consider myself a newcomer to the Indy music scene, especially when it comes to what is happening at the university level. It was clear to me that some research was in order, and I figured our upcoming masterclass with Mark Buselli and Freddie Mendoza would be the perfect launching point. Click here to register!

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