Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
In tKe World of Music Publishing
PUBLISHERS NOT COMPLAINING.
Although Business Might Be Better—An Improve-
ment Has Set in Which it is Hoped Will Con-
tinue—The Situation Discussed.
Publishers of standard music and instruction
courses, who are acustomed to carrying on their
business devoid of spurts and hits, refer to the
season as fair—in fact, very satisfactory. Sales
have not exceeded any previous record, but the
growth in the volume of trade has been natural
and apparently up to expectations. Prices on this
class of goods are stationary, and the cry of the
cutter is not heard in the land of the staid, prac-
tical publishing houses that confine themselves
to what might be described as an output of
staples. Business is keeping up to the mark, and
will for a month to come, when the usual falling
off occurs, lasting through the summer.
With producers of popular numbers no lack
of enthusiastic claims are heard. It is admitted,
however, that this particular brand of the busi-
ness is something of a gamble, and therefore
predictions should be taken cum granum salis.
In other words, things are not always what they
seem in the often lurid descriptive estimates
handed out for newspaper consumption. One
prominent firm, inclined to talk "on the level,"
had this to say to The Review: "We really have
no reason to complain, but business is—well, say,
not what we looked forward to. As it is, not
one of our employees have been laid off, but
probably because our facilities have been so
greatly increased, which means sales beyond any
previous record to keep us going full speed ahead.
We feel as if business is slack. Our productions
and several good sellers keep us engaged; now
what can houses be doing who have one or two
things only that are stamped with public ap-
proval? This talk of their being so busy, etc.,
etc., is all bosh. But we can say that the fall
and the succeeding season—commencing with
November-—will be the largest in the history of
the trade."
Another house, with a specialty of "hits," said:
"Our business has been increasing with every
month. It is exceptionally good now, and we
expect it will last through the entire summer."
HOWLEY-DRESSER SONG CONTEST.
A Unique Gathering at Lyric Hall Saturday After-
noon—A Good Attendance ana Many Partici-
pants—The Winners Proud of Their Success.
The "Song Contest," given at Lyric Hall, New
York, Saturday afternoon, under the auspices of
the Howley-Dresser Co., was a refreshing enter-
tainment to the professionals present, and a most
enjoyable occasion for the participants. The hall
was well filled with well-dressed, bright-faced
school children, accompanied by their parents,
and fifty were entered as prize contestants as to
which should give the best rendition of the song,
"On a Good Old Trolley Ride," the joint produc-
tion of Joseph C. Farrell and Pat Rooney.
From two to four o'clock the singers were
given an opportunity to display their talent, and
at the close the following were declared the win-
ners: First prize, $25 in gold, Mary Gilligan, 7
years of age, 92 Spring street, and who gave every
evidence of having a charming voice; second,
$15 in gold, Marion Voos, 12 years, 332 E. 83d
street; third, $10 in gold, Helen Pullman. 8 years,
430 W. 134th street; fourth, $5 in gold, Alice
Goodman, 7 years. The decisions were given en-
tirely on merit, as the style and manner of deliv-
ery alone governed the verdict; but as there
seemed so much genuine disappointment ex-
pressed by the defeated ones, ten consolation
prizes of $1 each were distributed, with one ex-
ception, and this the recipient donated to char-
ity, whereupon it was promptly appropriated by
Mr. Farrell, who expressed himself as being a
proper and worthy object. This gentleman also
acted as adjuster of difficulties, and he acquitted
himself most creditably.
The judges were Hon. Florence J. Sullivan,
Dan Hennessey, manager Vaudeville Associa-
tion; Aunt Louisa Eldridge, Miss Pauline Hall,
Ted E. Marks, Hon. P. H. Keahon, Hon. P. J.
Ryder and Paul Dresser. The accompanists were
Henry Frantzen, Mr. Farrell's side partner; and
William Redmond, both connected with the pub-
lishing company.
At the close, all the prize winners and the con-
solation recipients rendered the song ensemble,
the catchy melody being delivered with a swing-
ing earnestness most pleasing. Monday after-
noon the juvenile visitors called for tneir awards
at the offices of the Howley-Dresser Co., and were
photographed in a fetching group.
PARTEE PUBLICATIONS.
Some of the Latest Successes Put Forth by This
Enterprising Concern—A Catalogue With Which
Go-ahead Musicians Should Become Acquainted.
The C. L. Partee Music Co., of New York City,
have just issued two new numbers for military
band, which cannot fail to be acceptable to band
leaders throughout the country, being both ex-
ceptionally clever compositions, catchy and ef-
fective, and not too difficult.
They are "The Maestro March," by Rollin W.
Bond, a very brilliant and stirring march, and
"The Flower of Mexico," intermezzo, by Carlos
Curti, the famous composer of "La Tipica Polka"
and assistant director of orchestra at the Wal-
dorf-Astoria, New York City. The "Flower of
Mexico" is now published for all instruments, in-
cluding orchestra, piano solo, mandolin, guitar
and banjo orchesta, etc., and the other number,
"The Maestro March," will be at once issued for
all these instruments.
The C. L. Partee Music Co. are now making a
specialty of publishing select instrumental num-
bers, issued for band, orchestra, piano solo, man-
dolin orchestra and all combinations of banjos,
mandolins #nd guitars. This policy is building
up a very profitable and successful business for
the C. L. Partee Music Co., who are also the pub-
lishers of a very select catalogue of instruction
books, studies and sheet music number for these
instruments. Dealers, teachers, band and or-
chestra leaders would find it to their interest to
send to the C. L. Partee Music Co., at 5 E. 14th
street, New York City, for their subscription
blank special offers and rates on new issues for
all instruments.
JOHN W. BRATTON.
John W. Bratton's most successful year in mu
sic writing will culminate in Baltimore on April
25, when his and Paul West's comedy, "The Man
From China," will be given its premiere, after
which it will come to the Majestic Theatre in
New York for a summer run. Mr. Bratton has
been accounted a successful writer ever since the
beginning of his career when his songs, "I Love
You in the Same Old Way," and "The Sunshine
of Paradise Alley," set all the country singing;
but it seems that this year just past must have
been presided over by his lucky star. In vocal
compositions he has accomplished such hits as
"Two Little, True Little, Blue Little Eyes," "My
Cosy Corner Girl," which is referred to as one of
the biggest hits of the year both in this country
and in England; "My Little Hong Kong Baby,"
another international success sung in "The Chi-
nese Honeymoon;" "Somebody's Waiting 'Neath
Southern Skies," a most popular story song;
"Mile. New York," a dashing march song; the
dainty novelty, "My Little Belle of Japan," and
the season's big comic song hit, "I'm on the
Water Wagon Now," to which Frank Daniels
sings about fifteen encores nightly in "The Of-
fice Boy."
It is, however, in his instrumental numbers
that Mr. Bratton really excels. There is a de-
cided difference about his compositions which
picks them out and makes them distinctive and
charming. Notable among these is "In a Cosy
Corner," which is too well known to need com-
ment; "Laces and Graces," a delightful composi-
tion written with Gustav Salzer; "In a Lotus
Field," a dreamy Oriental piece; "The Rose's
ANOTHER CATALOGUE ACQUIRED BY STERN.
Contracts recently signed and executed, adds
another important catalogue of instrumental
successes to the many recently acquired by Jos.
W. Stern & Co. This latest one is that of the
Ashton Publishing Co., a Western firm, whose
publications have enjoyed considerable sale and
popularity. The principal numbers include: "Gay
Tally-ho." "The Bell Boy," "The Bogie Man,"
"The Caddy," "The Cavalryman," "The Fencing
Girl," "The Skipper." "The 'Varsity Girl."
A further contract with Frederick T. Ashton
grants sole publishing rights for the future com-
positions of this brilliant young composer to this
firm for a term of years, and it is expected that
the manuscripts delivered over, at the signing of
the agreements will enhance his reputation.
SOL
BLOOM
NEW AMSTERDAM THEATRE BUILDING,
42nd Street, near Broadway,
-
NEW YORK
^
Separate Numbers and Scores
of the following
Comic Opera and Musical
: : Comedy Successes : :
"RED FEATHER"—By Chas. Emerson Cook, Chas. Klein
and Reginald De Koven.
NANCY BROWN"—By Frederic Ranken and Henry K.
Hadlev.
"THE MOCKINO BIRD"—By Sidney Rosenfeld and A.
Baldwin Sioane.
"WINSOnE WINNIE"—By Frederic Ranken and Gus-
tave Kerker.
"THE OFFICE BOY"—By Harry B. Smith and Ludwijj
Enjjlander.
" T H E SLREPY KINO "—By Geo. V. Hobart and Gio-
vanni E. Conterno.
"A aiRL FROM DIXIB"—By Harry B. Smith.
"THB ISLB OF SPICE"—By Allen Lowe & Paul Schindl:
r.bm..«i, y j o s . w . STERN & CO.
84 East 21et Straet
CHICA6O
NEW YORK
tOIDO*
BIS HJIICIMO
PUBLISHER OF
" LAUGHING WATER," "UNTER DEN LINDEN," (New)
" S A M M Y " (the Hit of "Wizard of Oz,")
"THERE'S NOBODY JUST LIKE YOU,"
" T H E GIRL YOU LOVE"
frem "Three Little Maids " and "The Silver Slipper,"
"TWO EYES OF BROWN."
Send for our New and Complete Catalogues.