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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
ADVOCATE STANDARDIZATION.
Music Teachers of New York State Take First
Step in This Direction—Committee Ap-
pointed to Prepare Examination Tests in
Piano and Singing Branches—Discussions
Bring Interchange of Ideas.
Distinct impetus was given to the "standardiza-
tion" of music teaching by those participating in
the twenty-fourth annual convention of the New
York State Music Teachers' Association, held on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week
at Columbia University.
During recent years the progressive element of
the music teaching corps in every State has shown
consistent activity in endeavoring to find tome
means that would eliminate from wide patronage
so-called instructors whose inefficiency was the
cause of common professional gossip.
In deciding to make a "move" the delegates be-
lieve that it is only a question of time before
"standardization" will come into existence, and
when this state of affairs is brought about the ad-
vanced thinkers among music instructors agree that
substantial progress will have been made toward
placing teaching on the high plane desired.
Gustav L. Becker, retiring president of the or-
ganization, was appointed one of a committee of
three to prepare test examinations to be submitted
at the next annual convention, these examinations
to include teaching piano and singing. Mr. Becker
is to arrange the singing examination test, and E.
M. Bowman and Kate Chittenden are to have con-
sideration as suitable for piano instructors.
The main idea sought for is to establish some
basis for voluntary examinations on the part of
teachers anxious to obtain proper indorsement of
their abilities. It will be the aim of the respective
.members of the committee, therefore, to prepare
tests that will be regarded as minimum rather than
maximum examinations.
The principle of "standardization" having been
established, the effort will be—in the event of sat-
isfactory examination tests being provided at the
next convention—to present before the delegates
papers calculated to bring forth from whomever
takes an examination a clear proof of a knowl-
edge of the fundamentals of the branch of music
taught.
Inasmuch as it will be impossible to compel
teachers in either singing or piano instruction to
take any examination test, in the event that the
New York State Music Teachers' Association de-
BEALE&CCUtd.
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cides to adopt such a plan in the future, special
emphasis will be placed on the benefits it is thought
will accrue to the teacher who can display a di-
ploma received under such conditions.
In the discussion which arose in behalf of
"standardization" in the recent convention it was
clear that the majority of the delegates feel the
time has come to mark the distinction between
teachers willing to go to any reasonable lengths to
demonstrate their right to impart instruction and
those looked upon as inadequately fitted for their
careers.
There is no doubt that many teachers of voice
and piano now plying their professions are not
competent for such work, and if it is possible by
degrees to cause the public to favor teachers who
can show evidence of unquestioned ability the pro-
fession of music teaching will be materially bene-
fited and strengthened.
The close of the convention brought an election
of new officers to serve for one year. They were
Walter L. Bogert, of New York, president; Al-
fred Hallam, of Saratoga Springs, vice-president,
and E. Pearl Van Vorhiss, of Fishkill-on-Hudson,
secretary.
PIANO MAKING IN NEW JERSEY.
Government Bulletin Present Figures Based
Upon Last Census Which Can Be Compared
with Those for the Previous Ten Year Period
Showing Growth of Industry.
(Special to The Review.)
Washington, D. C, June 29, 1912.
The Bureau of the Census is sending out the
completed and verified figures treating of the lead-
ing industries in the various States. The figures
relating to New Jersey as far as piano manufac-
turing is concerned show that in 1909 there were
18 factories devoted to the manufacture of pianos
and organs and materials, and which employed
1,500 people, the capital invested being $2,019,925,
the value of the products amounting to $2,229,145.
The figures in detail are as follows: Number of
establishments, 18. Persons engaged in industry,
total, 1.500. Proprietors ami firm members, 6;
salaried officers, superintendents and managers, 28;
clerks, male, 33; clerks, female, 40. Wage-earners,
average number, 1,393; maximum (March), 1,436;
minimum (August), 1,325. Wage-earners, number
December 15, 1,408; 16 and over, male, 1,253; 16
and over, female, 204; under 16, male. 2;.under 16,
female, 9. Primary horsepower, 1,121. Capital,
$2,019,925. Expenses—total, $2,141,486; services,
officials, $65,962; clerks, $62,605; wage-earners,
$720,594; materials, fuel and rent of power, $24,766;
materials, other, $1,051,307; rent of factory,
$26,700; taxes, including internal revenue, $7,647;
contract work, $24,994; other miscellaneous ex-
penses, $156,911. Value of products, $2,229,145.
Value added by manufacture, $1,153,072.
The number of establishments manufacturing
"musical instruments and materials not specified"
in 1909 was seven. The number of persons en-
gaged in this industry was 435. The capital in-
vested is given as $1,032,920 and the value of prod-
ucts as $635,209. Total expenses were $500,888.
These figures do not include "phonographs and
graphophones," for which no figures are given be-
yond the statement that six establishments are de-
voted to this line of goods.
The comparative figures for the previous ten
years' period: that is. 1899, covering the piano,
organ and supply trade in New Jersey show that
at that time there were 15 factories with 850 per-
sons engaged; capital, $1,407,000; value of products,
$1,322,000. These figures may be compared with
those for 1909.
The piano and organ industry ranked sixty-fourth
in New Jersey in the last census year. The value
of its products increased 10.9 per cent, between
1899 and 1904 and 50.9 per cent, between 1904 and
1909. The value added by manufacture increased
(i.6 per cent, in the first-mentioned five-year period
and 40.6 per cent, in the second.
Weiler Bros., who recently opened a piano store
at 911 Broadway, Hannibal, Mo., are handling the
Vose, Ludwig, Kohler & Campbell pianos and the
Autopiano.
WILL ENLARGE BUILDING.
Clark
Music Company to Make Structure
Higher—Business Shows Increase.
(Special to The Review.)
Syracuse, N. Y., July 1, 1912.
The Clark Music Co. intends to add two stories
to its present six-story building in South Salina
street when the Cahill building and the Keith
building, on either side of it, are completed.
The company gave a mortgage for $35,000 yes-
terday to the Onondaga County Savings Bank.
Melville A. Clark said the money was to be used
for the rapid expansion of the business, for im-
proving the building and for adding two stories to
the block.
It was stated that while last year's business was
as good as any the company ever had, that done
so far this year exceeded it for the same period
by 26 per cent.
PURCHASED KURTZMANN GRAND.
The Kentucky School of Reform at Louisville
has recently purchased a beautiful Kurtzmann grand
piano from the Krausgill Piano Co. The instru-
ment has been placed in the music room and will
pla> an important part in the musical course which
is to become a feature of the educational curricu-
lum of this institution.
MRS. MULLEN ON BUYING TRIP.
Mrs. C. C. Mullen, secretary and treasurer of the
Henricks Piano Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., is expected
in New York this week on a piano-buying trip for
the house with which she is connected. She will
stop at the Knickerbocker Hotel. The Henrick
establishment, of which Mrs. Henrick is the guid-
ing head, has been conducting a very excellent
business with the Decker & Son pianos and the
Cable-Nelson instruments, which, however, form
only a part of the very important line handled by
this house.
A new piano store has been opened in Bushnell,
111, by Carlton & Haldeman at 358 East Main
street. The Crown line of pianos is being handled.
THE
PIANO
HAMMER
WITH A GROWING
REPUTATION
Demand it. The only one that
meets all player requirements.
The best hammer for all pianos.
SUPERIOR
GERMAN FELT
Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Chicago Office: Republic Bldg.