Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
OCTOBER 2, 1920
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
GREAT EDUCATIONAL WORK
STAPLETON NOW EDISON DEALER
Conducted by Miss Donaldson of the Victrola
Department of W. J. Dyer & Bro.—Course of
"Listening Lessons" Exceedingly Popular
Resigns Fro"m Edison Shop, New York, to Enter
Firm of Hook. Bros. Piano Co.
ST. P A I L , MINN., September 24.—"Listening les-
sons" is the neatly descriptive title given to a
series of music talks to the school children of
St. Paul during the past Summer by Miss
Laura M. Donaldson, educational supervisor in
the Victrola department of W. J. Dyer & Bro.
The course was arranged and conducted by Miss
Donaldson and had official recognition through
indorsement by Miss Elsie M. Shawe, super-
visor of music in the St. Paul public schools.
The work was begun in the Dyer concert hall,
but was continued elsewhere when convenient,
one feature being al fresco diversions in Como
park, one of the most delightful recreational
parks in the Northwest.
Each meeting was divided among three classes,
the very little tots, the intermediate ages and the
One of Miss Donaldson's Classes
elder ones'. The tots were taught folk dances
in order to develop a sense of rhythm and
thereby obtain a love for music. The dancing
also was continued with the older children for
the relation quite necessary after somewhat in-
tense listening. Each class had two picnics in
Como and the Victrola went along as part of
the company. By the way, the park and Victrola
combination was suggested to Miss Donaldson
by an article in the Talking Machine World.
"The main purpose behind this series of
'Listening Lessons'," explained Miss Donaldson,
'was to teach the rising generation that music
is an essential part of modern life to inculcate in
them a love and a taste for the right kind of
music. One of the first steps with the youngest
children is to develop within them a sense of
rhythm from which first step they are guided
along the path of good music, special attention
being given to developing appreciation for the
best music, a sense of discrimination and to
teach them to become able to judge and criti-
cize music.
"My work during the past summer has been
highly satisfactory, as I feel that every one in
the various classes has been started on the right
road. In many cases the children were accom-
panied by their parents and the latter absorbed
fully as much as the youngsters. We note this
in the discrimination they exercise in purchasing
records. People with little or no musical taste
a few weeks ago, and much devoted to the flashy
.class of music, now are asking for compositions
such as the Minuet in G, and the like. It truly
has been a pleasurable 1 Summer for us all and
I trust a profitable one to the children."
EXCELLENT FINANCIAL REPORT
There appeared in hnancial papers this week a
splendid report relative to the activities of the
Columbia Graphophone Mfg. Co. during the six
months ending June 30 last. The' company re-
ports for this period a net income after charges
and federal taxes of $2,809,375. This was equiva-
lent, after preferred dividends, to $2.13 a share
on the outstanding common stock of no par value.
The total earnings were $5,552,875; interest, $122,-
058; net earnings, $5,430,817; charges, deprecia-
tion, Federal taxes, etc., $2,621,442; net income,
$2,809,375; dividends, $982,812; surplus $1,862,-
533; profit and loss surplus, $4,253,194.
55
FINE NEW VOCALION DEPARTMENT
Elaborate Opening Ceremonies Planned 'or New
Vocalion Department in the Store of Kau'-
mann & Baer, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Jack Stapleton, for more than a year sales man-
PITTSIHR(,H, PA., September 27.—The formal
ager of the Edison Shop, New York, has resigned
to enter the firm of Hook Bros. Piano Co., Kdi- opening of the new Vocalion department in the
son dealers in Madison, Wis. Mr. Stapleton Kaufmann 6c Baer store, this city, scheduled for
October 11, promises to be an event of unusual
interest. The celebration will extend over three
days and there will be an elaborate entertainment
program in charge of F. P. Ratcliff,-of the' Vo-
calion department of the Aeolian Co., the fea-
tured artists being Ernest Hare, and Monroe
Silver. Each day Mr. Ratcliff will deliver an
address on the Phonodeik, the apparatus for
photographing sound waves by means of which
all Vocalion records are tested for accuracy of
reproduction.
The equipment of the department includes
thirty-two handsome soundproof demonstrating
booths, together with a recital hall seating 1.000
people. The entire equipment is most elaborate
in every particular and the department las been
arranged under the personal direction of G. Israel,
general manager of the Kaufmann & Baer store.
Jack Stapleton
started in business selling Edisons for his father
in Watertown, Wis., and after serving in the air IMPORTANT COLUMBIA PROMOTIONS
service during the war joined the Phonograph
Corp. of Manhattan as jobbers' representative.
Geo. \V. Hopkins, general sales manager of
the Columbia Graphophonc Co., New York, an-
FIRST RECORDS BY JOHN C. THOMAS nounced this week the appointment of B. W.
Jennings as assistant manager of the New York
Popular Baritone and Star of "Apple Blossoms" branch, the manager of which is Kenneth Mills.
Mr. Jennings was formerly manager of the Phila-
Makes First Vocalion Records
delphia branch, and attained signal success in
The features of the Vocalion record bulletin that important position.
for October are the first recordings by John
E. A. Manning, credit manager of the Phila-
Charles Thomas, the noted baritone and latest delphia branch and thoroughly familiar with the
addition to the list of Vocalion artists. The requirements of the dealers in that territory, has
first of Mr. Thomas' records are "Little Girls, been promoted to the post of assistant manager
Goodbye" and "You Are Free," in which Mr. of the branch.
Thomas sings a duet with Lucille Rene. Both
Mr. Hopkins also announced the appointment
numbers are from the operetta "Apple Blos- of H. C. Coolev as assistant manager of the
soms," for which Fritz Kreisler supplied the Cleveland branch. Mr. Cooley was formerly
score, and are particularly fitting selections in- assistant manager at New Haven, and is one of
asmuch as Mr. Thomas created the leading role the most popular members of the organization.
in the production.
J. C. RAY TO PACIFIC COAST .
J. C. Ray, of the executive staff of the Columbia
Graphophone Co., and connected with the organi-
zation for the past ten years, will leave this week
for the Pacific Coast. Mr. Ray is planning to
take a three-months' rest, and around the first of
the year will probably join the Los Angeles
branch of the company. Mr. Ray has been an
important member of the Columbia executive
staff for many years, and has a host of friends
in the trade.
A. P. Andersen, of the statistical divis'on of
the Columbia Graphophone Co., succeeds Mr.
Rav at the executive offices.
FRED BROWN VISITS PULLMAN PLANT
Fred S. Brown,
Service department
left last week for
spend a short time
sembling plant in
to arranging for
jobbers.
manager of the Order and
of the Edison Laboratories,
Pullman. 111., where he will
at the Edison phonograph as-
operation there, with a view
improved service to Edison
SCHULZ WITH REMINGTON CORP.
August H. Scbulz is the latest addition to the
sales staff of the Remington Phonograph Corp.,
New York. He has already started on his maiden
trip in the interests of the. Remington phono-
graph.
JOINS EDISON EDITORIAL STAFF
John II. Daly has been appointed associate
editor of the Edison publications, and brings with
him an editorial experience that should prove of
distinct value. lie was educated in Fordham
University, where he was first violinist in the or-
chestra, and also on the editorial staff of the Ford-
ham Monthly. He is in close touch with musical
and theatrical life in and about New York.
VICTROLA X FOR SOLDIER'S BRIDE
Officers of the Eighty-first Field Artillery, sta-
tioned at Camp Knox, near Louisville, Ky., re-
cently presented a Victrola X to Master Ser-
geant Seidler and his bride as a wedding pres-
ent. The sale of the machine was made by John
S. Calveard, of L'Harmonie Compagnie, Louis-
ville. The Victrola carried a silver plate, suit
ably engraved.
SILLIMAN HOME FROM EUROPE
Frank H. Silliman, vice-president of the Par-
dee-Ellenberger Co., Edison jobbers in Boston
and New Haven, visited the Edison Laboratories
last week upon his return from a short visit to
England.
The Keystone Music Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.,
has been incorporated with $20,000, to manufac-
ture talking machines, the incorporators being
C. S., 1. N., and 1. A. Levine.