Bradley grad Completes Highly Competitive Yamaha Internship Program

06/26/2017 10:45 AM

            Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral division, selected Bradley University grad, Rachel Hibser of Peoria, Illinois, as the 2017 intern for the spring term of its renowned wind instruments internship program. 

           Rachel was selected by Yamaha from a national pool of talented and accomplished applicants to provide marketing and sales support for its world-class winds products. Rachel relocated to the company’s headquarters in Buena Park, California for the duration of the internship, which ran through May.

            Rachel first learned to play the trumpet when she was in fifth grade. Throughout her musical career, she was involved in several ensembles including jazz, marching band, concert band and madrigal brass, among others. While attending high school, Rachel was accepted into the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps from La Crosse, Wisconsin and participated for three seasons.  Rachel received her Bachelor of Science in Music Business in the fall of 2016. 

           “Rachel’s experience with wind instruments and passion for music business made her a valuable addition to our team,” says Brian Petterson, winds marketing manager, Band & Orchestral division, Yamaha Corporation of America. “Working with the world’s largest music product manufacturer is an exceptionally rare opportunity for anyone starting out in the music products industry, and this internship provided Rachel with unique experiences and learning opportunities. In particular, Rachel helped the department successfully execute the 50^th Anniversary celebration of Yamaha wind instrument production at the 2017 NAMM Show.”

          The Yamaha Band & Orchestral division is responsible for marketing, sales, and research and development for strings, wind instruments, and concert and marching percussion. In addition, it focuses attention on education initiatives for school music programs throughout the United States.

          For nearly 30 years, Yamaha has upheld its commitment to training and supporting people interested in building music-related careers. Many former Yamaha interns now hold fruitful positions throughout the music products industry, including at instrument manufacturers, dealers, drum corps, media and other music education outlets.