By A-R Editions
After more than thirty years serving A-R Editions, Sandy Williams, Director of Sales — whom many of you may know as Sandy Otto—will be retiring at the end of June 2025. In her three decades of service to A-R, Sandy has worn many hats with great panache: building and maintaining longstanding relationships with our customers at universities and libraries around the world, promoting our online subscription service Recent Researches in Music Online (RRIMO), managing the shipping department, and even organizing A-R social events (including picking out cakes and ice cream for birthdays!). She graciously agreed to sit down with Esther Criscuola de Laix to talk about her time working for the company and reflect on her upcoming retirement.
You have worked here at A-R editions for at least three decades!
Yes, I have had the privilege of working at A-R Editions for over thirty years. It has been an incredible journey filled with numerous experiences and opportunities for growth. Throughout these decades, I have seen the company evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of the music publishing industry, and I am proud to have been a part of that transformation.
That is impressive, and this company was blessed to have you for those three decades. Looking back on those, what were some of the high points for you working here? What were some of your favorite things about working at A-R?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at A-R Editions has been the relationships I’ve built with my coworkers and the many wonderful people I’ve interacted with over the phone and through emails. These connections have made my work incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling.
Tell us about what kind of people you have talked to on the phone and through emails. I know it’s been a large variety in the time you’ve been here.
In my role in sales, I had the pleasure of selling subscriptions to Recent Researches in Music Online (RRIMO) and initiating standing orders for our printed music publications. Additionally, in my more distant past with A-R, I handled accounts receivable and worked in the shipping department, which allowed me to engage with a diverse range of individuals and tasks.
Incredible. It takes a lot of versatility to do that. You mentioned that the people, the relationships, were among your favorite things here at A-R. Do you have any stories or anecdotes related to people you’ve talked to, either within the company or outside, while working in sales?
Attending conferences such as the Music Library Association (MLA) conferences across the United States and the International Association of Music Librarians (IAML) conferences around the world has been a highlight. These events provided opportunities to meet many smiling faces and share in the joy of our shared passion for music.
I think my favorite thing at the MLA conferences was hearing the Big Band play. Both while rehearsing and performing. There are really very talented music librarians out there!
When you go to those conferences, what are some of the things people tell you about their experiences with A-R’s library of products and about Recent Researches in Music Online? What do people say to you about those, and what do you say to them?
Almost everyone I meet at these conferences is familiar with our Recent Researches publications. They appreciate the quality and usability of our products for their universities. Many institutions have already subscribed to RRIMO, and I anticipate even more will follow suit. It’s gratifying to see how our work supports faculty and students alike.
Tell us about some of the places you’ve traveled to in the course of your work in sales at A-R in going to these conferences.
I’ve had the privilege of traveling to various locations for both MLA and IAML conferences plus other conferences as well. The IAML conference has taken me to Montreal, Austria, and most recently, South Africa. Each destination has offered unique experiences and insights.
That’s exciting. Do you like the traveling part of your job?
Absolutely, I thoroughly enjoy the traveling aspect of my job. Traveling has always been a passion of mine, and having the opportunity to combine it with my professional responsibilities has been incredibly fulfilling. Each trip allows me to explore new places, experience different cultures, and meet a diverse range of people. They provide fresh perspectives and insights that I can bring back to my work at A-R Editions, enhancing our outreach and engagement with clients and partners. Overall, the travel component of my job has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding aspects of my career.
Okay, so solve a riddle for us, Sandy: There are two different names by which you are known. The people at these conferences that you’ve mentioned know you as Sandy Otto—but I have “Sandy (Otto) Williams” at the beginning of this interview. So, tell us the story of how that happened—I know it’s a happy story!
I got married a little over two years ago to Rodger Williams after being together for almost twenty-five years. We finally decided to tie the knot and had a wonderful destination wedding in Jamaica.
That’s lovely! I know we have a wedding photo on our whiteboard in the A-R breakroom. But that’s a great reason to explain the riddle! So, when people write you emails—I guess they just mostly call you “Dear Sandy,” but how are your customers and contacts adjusting?
They address me in various ways, but I always include “Sandy (Otto) Williams” in my email signature to avoid any confusion.
Makes sense. So people don’t think it’s a different Sandy.
Exactly. By including both names in my email signature, I ensure that there is no confusion among my contacts. This way, everyone knows that it is still me, Sandy, whether they knew me as Sandy Otto or now as Sandy Williams. It helps maintain continuity and clarity in my professional communications.
May I ask you about some of the things you hope to do now that you’re retired, after such a long and really great career here?
I have one son who has been doing mission work in Malawi, Africa, for over eleven years. He and his wife went there with four children, and now they have seven, including one adopted from Malawi. Their ages range from 20 to 9.
So you’re quite a grandmother!
Indeed, I am! My oldest granddaughter, who is 20, got married last year and just had her first baby on June 1, making me a great-grandmother to a beautiful baby boy.
That’s incredible, wow! Congratulations to the whole family, that’s great news. You’ve told me you have plans to visit?
Yes, both great grandmas—myself and my daughter-in-law’s mother—plan to travel to Malawi to see the baby. It’s very exciting.
But I know you’re very seasoned at traveling, between visiting your son and his family and all the wonderful traveling you’ve done for the MLA and IAML conferences, getting the word out about Recent Researches.
Yes, I’ve done lots of traveling, for work and pleasure. One of the highlights of attending the IAML conference in South Africa was visiting my son and his family afterward. It was a wonderful visit.
Any final thoughts?
I have thoroughly enjoyed my thirty-one years at A-R Editions. It has been a fulfilling journey, which stretched my concept of what I could achieve, but mostly I’ll miss the people. A-R has really embraced me over the years, and I’ll miss everyone here.
And we’ve enjoyed having you! You’ve done so much for the company, really expanded its reach in amazing ways, and you will definitely be missed. Best wishes on your retirement, and happy travels.
Thank you! There are three phases to retirement that a friend recently shared with me: the “go-go” phase, where you’re very active; the “slo-go” phase, where you slow down a bit; and the “no-go” phase. My goal is to make my “go-go” phase last as long as possible.
I think that’s an excellent goal! Thank you, Sandy, for taking the time to have this conversation, and all best wishes to you on your retirement.
