Lauren Keiser
Founder
Lauren Keiser was born in Portland, Oregon in 1945. His passion for music would begin in his teens, and lead to a life centered around composition, music publishing, and education. He studied privately with Elie Siegmeister, Isaac Nemiroff and Krzysztof Penderecki, becoming a talented composer in his own right. Over the next 40 years, he would also become a trailblazing and innovative music publisher working at Alfred, Cherry Lane, and Carl Fischer Music.
When an opportunity to own his own company presented itself in 2008, he seized it. This company, formerly MMB music, is now known as Lauren Keiser Music Publishing. In the years following, he would also acquire Southern Music Company, and begin administration of the Edward B. Marks Classical catalog.
Lauren passed away in May of 2020, but not before beginning negotiations for the acquisition of Edwin F. Kalmus & Co. and LudwigMasters Publications. The purchase was finalized later that year.
An active member in the music community, Lauren also served as President of the Music Publishers Association of the United States from 2005-2012, and was on the board of the National Music Council and the International Confederation of Music Publishers.
Lauren’s philosophy regarding music publishing was unique and unwavering. He never compromised, either in the standard of excellence in the music he published, or the quality of the product that came off the printing press. His singular goal was to promote and protect music and art, and be a curator and advocate of his composers’ works.
Matt Keiser
President/CEO
Matt joined the company in 2015, under the tutelage of Lauren Keiser, his father and founder of Keiser Productions Inc.
From the age of 5, he studied piano for 10 years, as well as trumpet and bass guitar. A baseball scholarship took him to Post University, where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration. In addition to serving as President and CEO, Matt serves on the boards of the Music Publishers’ Association and National Music Council.
Joe Derhake
Vice President
Joe has been active professionally in music composition, arranging, teaching, performing and publishing for over 27 years. He has taught private music lessons since 1996, teaching students from grade school through adults on keyboard, band, combo, and folk instruments. His public debut as an arranger was in high school, performing popular tunes on local radio with fellow members of the school tuba section.
Since then, Joe has written, arranged, and recorded music in many genres, including classical, rock, Celtic, jazz, and of course wind band, which has remained a favorite since first picking up a horn in sixth grade. Derhake is based in St. Louis and has enjoyed the opportunity to help composers grow their careers, working in music publishing since 2004.
Jim Schneeberg
General Manager
Jim Schneeberg is a husband, father, and trombonist born and raised in St. Louis, MO. Coming from abackground in music education, he discovered a position was opened at Keiser Productions, Inc. in 2014, and was pleased to join the family business. He has enjoyed watching and aiding in the growth of the company over the years, and he takes pleasure in facilitating the delivery of great music by phenomenal composers to the musicians who need it, whether those musicians are brand new or have years of experience. Jim looks forward to watching the company continue to grow and produce wonderful music in the future.
Jon Hunzeker
Production Manager
Jon Hunzeker, a native of Minden, Nebraska, began his career with Keiser Productions in November 2019. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Music Performance (Trombone) from the Universities of Nebraska - Kearney and Southern Mississippi, respectively. Shortly after completing his master's degree, Jon moved to Saint Louis, enlisted in the Army National Guard, and graduated from the ArmySchool of Music. Following this milestone, he spent several years in various management roles for a national musical instrument dealer. Jon's passion for music, experience in the field, and customer service expertise have resulted in his current role of Production Manager - supervising sheet music production, maintaining inventory, and ultimately making performances possible!
Outside of work, Jon maintains a small private studio of motivated musicians, serves as a trombonist in the 135th Army Band, and regularly performs with local ensembles such as the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra. Jon also enjoys playing vintage video games, cycling, and camping with his family.
Cassandra Loy
Inventory and Special Projects Manager
Cassie Loy has worked for Keiser Productions since July 2021. She has earned an Associate of Arts degree from St. Charles Community College and a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Oboe Performance from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Cassie has taught private woodwind lessons in the St. Charles and St. Louis areas for the last seven years, and her students have received honors such as earning spots in the St. Louis Youth Symphony Orchestra, the St. Charles County Youth Orchestra, and Missouri All-State band and orchestra. She also performs in local ensembles, including the St. Charles Community College Orchestra. When not thinking about music, Cassie enjoys playing with her two cats, Pebbles and Misty.
Nikki Winnert
Rental and Production Associate
Having previously worked for LudwigMasters Publications and E.F. Kalmus, Nikki joined the team in 2020 when Keiser Productions Inc. acquired them, assisting in the handling and production of files to bring back into print. In addition, she also manages the rental catalog for customers. Outside of work, Nikki enjoys hiking with her dog and going to the beach.
Clarence Barber
Managing Editor
Clarence Barber is the managing editor for Ludwig Masters Publications and Southern Music Company. He is working on his second career after a 31-year span teaching instrumental in Ohio schools and has been in his current position since 2006. He remains active as a composer, arranger, conductor, and performer with several bands and orchestras, including the Akron Symphonic Winds, True North Chamber Orchestra, and the Strongsville Community Band.
Mark R. Rogers
R. Mark Rogers, of San Antonio, Texas, is a renowned educator, composer, arranger and band director. He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of Texas, as well as Masters and Bachelors of Music Education degrees from Texas Tech University. He performs on bassoon and contrabassoon with six regional orchestras in his home state, and his works are widely represented in the catalogs of many music publishers. The acquisition of the venerable Edwin F. Kalmus music publishing company in 2020 afforded Dr. Rogers a unique opportunity to use his considerable skills in both the Southern Music and Kalmus catalogues.