05/29/2026
From our collection:
A photograph of military veteran and musician, Herb Sell and band. Donated to the Society in 2024 by Galen Roop and Cindy Roop.
Our site states...
A framed digital print of Herb Sell and band.
Herb Sell in his own words:
Herb started piano lessons at 7 years old with Marie Budde, of Littlestown, during the years of 1936-1943. He was a "Soda Jerk" at Howard Stonesifer's Drugstore from 1944 through 1947. He graduated from Littlestown High School in 1947. Herb worked with his father, John N. Sell, learning the paper hanging trade from 1947 through 1949. He then attended Shippensburg College from 1949 through 1950. During these early years, Herb specialized in playing Boogie Woogie and Jazz piano styles. Before joining the Air Force in 1950, Herb played in many orchestras, quartets, trios, and as a soloist. In September of 1950, Herb auditioned at Bowling Air Force Base, Washington D.C. with several other pianists and was chosen to be the pianist for the Music Department of the Army and Air Force Special Services Department. During this time, he met many celebrities and played for 14 Army and Air Force shows. He was sometimes listed in the programs as "Assistant Director". Although Herb was in the Air Force, he was always on detached service with the Army for most of his service career and played with the Army Orchestra. As the Korean War came to a close, Herb finally got back to the Air Force for a few months. He played trombone in the band and piano in the orchestra while stationed at Pinecastle A.F.B. near Orlando, Florida. In 1952, he married the "love of his life" Eleanor Salter of Indianapolis, Indiana. Eleanor loved music and she remained his lifetime inspiration. After being discharge from the military, they decided to make their home in Herb's hometown of Littlestown, PA. Herb enrolled as a music major at Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD. and began his studies on February 1, 1954. Upon graduation January 31, 1957, Herb was hired by the Carroll County Board of Education on February 1, 1957 as the music educator and
choral director at Westminster High School, Westminster, MD. Herb received his Master's degree in Music in 1964 from the University of Maryland. During his career at Westminster High School, he was responsible for bringing many musical celebrities to the school, which included Duke Ellington (twice), Count Basie, Woody Herman, Les Brown, Maynard Ferguson, Fred Waring (twice), Jester Hairston (five times), and Dick Hyman, the famous New York City jazz pianist (five times). Most of his WHS student Choral Concerts featured 140-150 students. Herb retired from teaching music at Westminster High School in 1992.
In 1970, Herb was asked to be the director of the newly-formed Carroll County Choral Society. It was a thrilling experience for the Carroll County Choral Society to be selected by the 21 member Maryland Bicentennial Commission to represent the State of Maryland at the Philadelphia celebration entitled "A Salute to the States" on Maryland's appointed day, Saturday, July 31st, 1976. Herb continued to successfully direct the Carroll County Choral Society until 2005. During a very busy schedule, Herb also directed the choir and was organist at St. Mary's U.C.C. in Silver Run, MD from 1954-1971. He then became the choir director at Redeemer's U.C.C. in Littlestown, PA from 1971 until Christmas Eve, 2023. During all of these years from 1954-2023, Herb still played Jazz piano for many occasions in different towns, cities and states.
One of the highlights of our Dad's career was when he received a kiss on the cheek from Duke Ellington in 1969. 2 weeks prior to Duke Ellington arriving at Westminster High School to perform, he visited the White House during Richard Nixon's tenure. He gave the President a kiss on the cheek. When Dad was meeting "The Duke" for the first time, the high school photographer said to Mr. Ellington, "How about giving Herb a kiss on the cheek?" The kiss occurred immediately and the picture was taken!
Our Dad was enamored by Duke Ellington since he was 14 years old. He emulated his music his whole life. When Duke Ellington died in 1974, Dad was devastated and sobbed.
