News & Views Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Meet the Stanton’s Team – Phyllis S. Monday, January 11, 2016

We’ve written before on the Stanton’s blog about our knowledgeable staff. Now, we’d like to give you a chance to get to know our staff on a more personal level. Over the next several months, we will be having members of the Stanton’s team take our “30 Questions in 60 Seconds” questionnaire. We hope you will get to know the “real” us, and learn how we might better be of service to you!

Phyllis SnedekerPhyllis S. is Stanton’s longest-serving employee – she’s been here almost 50 years! She’s also one of just a few of our current staff who worked side-by-side with our company founder, John Stanton. An accomplished performer and woodwind studio teacher, Phyllis is a valuable member of our Keyboard and Popular Music department, and is always happy to help our customers! (Phyllis answered a shortened list of questions from our questionnaire – she comes in at 17 answers!) :)

1. What department do you work in at Stanton’s? – I work in the Keyboard and Popular Music department.

2. What do you consider your specialties here? – I have no “specialty” in this department, just many years of knowledge!

3. How long have you been working at Stanton’s? – I started working at Stanton’s in January of 1968 when the store was located near the Ohio Theater on State Street. I have seen Stanton’s grow, change locations, and go through many improvements in the years I have worked here.

4. What is your favorite task at Stanton’s? – I enjoy working at Stanton’s whether it is helping a customer or just putting stock away. I try to do whatever needs to be done!

5. What is your hometown? – I was born in Sturgis, Michigan.

6. Where did you go to college? – I graduated from the University of Michigan School of Music with a degree in Music Education, and was a member of the University Symphonic Band directed by the renowned teacher and conductor, Dr. William D. Revelli.

7. What is your major instrument? – Alto saxophone, although I am proficient on all of the woodwinds.

8. Where or with whom do you currently perform/teach? – I no longer perform or teach due to severe arthritis in my hands. I did perform with many musical groups in Columbus, Indiana, and Michigan and also taught woodwinds privately in those places. My husband, Paul, and I received the Community Music Educator Award from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in 2007.

9. What do you like to do in your spare time? – In my spare time, I like to read, watch sports, and spend time with my family and friends. I also like to travel – I have been to Russia, Cuba (during the Batista era), Europe twice, and I most recently had a wonderful trip to Alaska.

10. What days are you available at Stanton’s? – I now work just two days a week.

11. What is the last song/piece you listened to? – I like to listen to all kinds of Classical music.

12. What is your most memorable musical moment? – The University of Michigan hosted the American Bandmasters Convention while I was in college, and I had the privilege of playing under many notable composers and conductors including Percy Grainger, Robert Russell Bennet, and Henry Fillmore.

13. What is the most unusual performance you have ever been a part of? – The most unusual performance I was a part of happened during a concert while in college. We were playing Wagner’s “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” and the big climax near the end has a big cymbal crash, and the person who was playing the part struck the cymbals with such an upward force that the cymbal flew out of his hand and crashed to the floor. Needless to say, the conductor was very unhappy!

14. What musical sound or noise do you love? – A beautiful woodwind soloist.

15. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? – If I had not chosen music as a profession, I would have been a third grade teacher. I did teach third grade for a couple years during a shortage of teachers and I enjoyed it.

15. Is there anything you wish would come back into fashion? – If I had a choice to change the popular music of today, I would prefer the music of the 30s through the 70s.

16. Do you love or hate roller coasters? – When I was younger I liked riding in roller coasters!

17. Would you rather win the lottery or work at the perfect job? – If I would win the lottery I would share it with my family, charities and travel. I have worked long enough!


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