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THE
TIRADE
VOL. LXX. No. 4.
Published Every Saturday by Edward Lyman Bill, Inc., at 373 Fourth Ave., New York. Jan. 24, 1920
Single Co
$2.00
Year
Makin&Musical History
WMNew %rks Music WeekTheNaiionalMusicShow
and the National Trade Conventions mean
£r ihe Musical Progress ol the Nation
W
ITHIN a very few days the great Music Week in New
York, of which so much has been said and written, will
have become a reality, and the trade and the public will
have an opportunity of seeing just what has been and what can be
accomplished for the advancement of music generally, and in-
djirectly for the cause of the music industry of America, when
proper attention is given to the problem and the right spirit of
co-operation manifests itself.
There have been held in the trade in other years shows and
conventions that were more or less successful, but they have always
been summertime events, offering to many of those who attended
a real excuse for a vacation. This year, however, all previous
efforts have been surpassed in the preparations not only for the
National Show itself and the Conventions, but for the great Music
iWeek program that will, it is expected, give added zest to the
l^vhole.
; Members of the music trade and profession, as well as the
public generally, have not been kept in the dark regarding the Music
Week, the Music Show or convention plans. They have been cir-
cularized at the expense of many hundreds of dollars. They have
I had the progress of the campaign set before them weekly in
trade papers and even the metropolitan dailies have found space to
carry the message.
Within the week the hosts will begin to arrive in the metropolis
for the big event. The wheels will start turning and we will
have an opportunity of seeing just how strong is the attraction
of music when presented under the most favorable conditions, in
the heart of the indoor entertainment season. It will be the final
test of the Music Show particularly, for it is because of the latter
that the conventions are being held in midwinter, barely eight
months after the 1919 national conventions.
i. All things considered, the National Music Show must be re-
garded as the most important feature of the week, set aside for the
cause of music. We have just witnessed the ending of the Automo-
bjle Show, or rather shows, in New York, during which an unparal-
leled volume of business, running into millions of dollars, was
transacted—the public at large manifesting an unbounded interest
iiji self-propelled vehicles. The building in which the shows were
'held was crowded at all times with people who paid cash admission
for the privilege of entering; yet, in the fullest sense, these shows
we.re purely J^rarnercial propositions. There were no added at-
tractions to inveigle the public into attending. Automobiles were
displayed and sold without any apology or without any preliminary
attraction to give them added interest.
The question now arises: Can the National Music Show,
which is being held during practically the same season, exert a
similar influence on the public mind? Certain it is that music
has never before been so prominently to the fore as it is to-day.
In our homes, in the schools, churches, theatres, opera houses
and great auditoriums we have music constantly with us and in
increasing volume-. It has become a part of our daily lives. It is
recognized by governmental and civic authorities and prominent
individuals as a necessity, and the Music Show will not have to
depend alone upon the bare display of instruments. There will
be plenty of music for the edification and education of those who
attend; better still, before they attend the members of the public
will have their minds attuned to a sympathetic condition through
the Music Week programs, public and semi-public.
So far as actual exhibits go, the success of the Music Show
is already assured, for practically the entire available space has
been taken by manufacturers and distributors of pianos, player-
pianos, talking machines, musical instruments and accessories gen-
erally. The problem that now remains is to get the public into
the Show, not simply with the idea of enjoying free entertainment
but with the idea that the display of musical instruments and
the privilege of listening to the music they produce is worthy of
the nominal admission fee that will be charged.
A Business Proposition
It is going to be a business proposition. The tickets are to be
sold—not given away—and it is believed by those responsible
for the Show that, with the local trade strongly behind it, aided
by proper publicity, the capacity of Grand Central Palace will
be taxed throughout the six days that the Music Show is open.
This year it is a show for the public, not simply a grouping of
attractions for the consideration of the trade. It is designed to
impress the laymen who attend with the standing and importance
of the music industry, and what it means and stands for. The
convention delegates—the members of the trade—will, of course,
find much of direct interest at the Show, for there are going to
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