Music Trade Review

Issue: 1925 Vol. 80 N. 26

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
REVIEW
THE
VOL. LXXX. No. 26 Published Every Saturday. Edward Lyman Bill, Inc., 383 Madison Ave., New York, N. Y. Jane 27, 1925 H ' na g.<£°iS i 0 *^" 1 "
A National Contest for the Players
of the Player-Piano
One of the Most Striking Means That Could Be Used to Bring Home Both to the General and Musical
Public That the Player-Piano Is a Medium of Personal Expression in Music — A Tentative Plan
for Such an Event—What Would Be Accomplished by Successfully Staging It
~>| EVERAL
months
ago The Review
made the suggestion of a national con-
test among amateur player-pianists, with
the belief that by means of it a great deal of
interest could be worked up throughout the
country in the player-piano, and that the whole
industry would vastly benefit thereby. Quite
a deal of favorable comment was elicited by this
suggestion at the time, but it seemed best to
let the matter rest then without going further,
in the hope that the seed sowed would in due
course spring up into bud, perchance to come to
fruit in its season.
A short time ago a distinguished member of
the industry suggested a national piano playing
contest, and some steps have been taken, so it
ia understood, to put his idea into operation,
although it does not yet appear how far these
st^ps have gone. Now, as a parallel to this, and
because the one idea represents, in our opin-
ion, quite as much in trade utility as does the
other, we bring our own pet notion forward
once more without further apology.
Briefly the idea is that the industry, through
its music advancement bureau, or through some
equally authoritative and capable agency, should
plan and carry out a nation-wide contest among
owners of player-pianos, to determine who is
the man, woman or child who can most artis-
tically, most musically, and altogether in the
best way, play a pre-determined program of
music upon the player-piano (pedal-control) of
his or her choice.
Outlines
It would be advisable to have such a contest
made known by means of announcements in the
newspapers of greatest general circulation
throughout the country, and its actual manage-
ment would be naturally entrusted to local as-
sociations of music dealers where such exist,
or to individual dealers where no associations
exist.
To get local contests adjudged, and the win-
ners invited to State-wide contests in turn,
would doubtless require all of one season; and
the following season might witness the round-
up of these .State winners into a national con-
test to be held and decided at the annual con-
vention of the music industries. Thus, if State
contests could be held next year, the national
winner could be selected at the Chicago con-
vention of 1927.
Of course the prize considerations would
\
sic industries, and two musicians of whom one
should be a pianist. The dealer would be the
chairman in each such committee. In the State
contests the jury would have to be large and
more carefully chosen, consisting of a represent-
ative of the industry, two or more musicians
and some recognized musical critic to represent
the public.
In the final contest similar ar-
rangements could be made, in proportionately
more elaborate fashion.
Each contestant would of course have to be
permitted to use his or her own instrument if he
or she thought this necessary; and in any case
r T
l HIS article on this page, proposing a should always have the choice of instruments
•*• national contest for player pianists, throughout all the contests and including the
exposes a means by which the real musical finals. It is not to be expected that the industry
or the dealers would feel much hesitation in
value of that instrument could most strongly
seeing that contestants were supplied with in-
be brought home to the public, both general struments.
and that part which is interested profes-
The question of music to be played by con-
testants would be important. One way of get-
sionally in music. A successful staging of
such a contest would give, the player-piano ting round it would be to allow each contestant
to select his own pieces, meanwhile laying down
more desirable publicity than any other
certain rules as to choice. Thus the local con-
means within the reach of the trade, and tests might be conducted for the main pur-
probably at. a lower expense than any similar pose of determining sense of rhythm, melodic
amount of valuable publicity could be had accent and tone. The State contest could also
judge general musical intelligence, as indicated
for player exploitation.—EDITOR.
by the contestants' choice and interpretation of
music. The finals of course would call for the
and presents no more real difficulties than do highest display of general player musicianship,
the music memory contests in the schools, let and here the program would have to be ^aid
us look at some of the possibilities, and at some down more particularly, yet even in this case
too of the practical results which would be contestants might be permitted perhaps to
choose their own compositions, provided that
likely to flow from this undertaking.
Obviously the first thing would be for some each selection fell within certain fairly narrow
central authority, preferably the National Asso- limits. The general object of the contest would
ciation of Music Merchants, or the National be, of course, to determine who is the best
Piano Manufacturers' Association, to announce player-pianist in each class and the determina-
to the nation a contest open to (a) professional tion would be along the lines of (a) technical
demonstrators in one class, (b) men amateurs control over the player-piano and (b) general
in another class, (c) women amateurs in a third musical intelligence. Thus, in the finals, the
and (d) children younger than fifteen years in requirements would undoubtedly include a piece
a fourth class. The contest in each class would of contrapuntal music, to judge melodic control,
be for the purpose of determining who is the a piece of poetic music, as by Chopin, to judge
best player-pianist in that class, firstly of each emotional control, a piece of elaborate form
community; secondly of each State, and lastly such as a classic or modern sonata to judge
of the nation. It might be considered advisable rhythmic, harmonic and form sense, and a piece
to bar all professional demonstrators, but this of very modern piano music to judge general
musical intelligence and control over ^one pro-
would not affect the principles.
duction. For instance: for the finals Doric
Judging
The judges in the local contests might be Toccata, Bach: Hammer-clavier Sonata (first
(Continued on page 4)
three, one music dealer, representing the mu-
have to be substantial and there would arise the
question of the expenses of the competitors in
attending the contests, after these had progress-
ed beyond local regions. At the worst, how-
ever, there could only be less than fifty State
winners and more probably the number would
be less than half this, at least the first time.
Assuming that the general idea, however, is
a good idea,, and waiving the question of ways
and means for the time with the mere remark
that the problem is by no means insuperable
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
JUNE 27, 1925
itial bow to the public, some weeks ago. The
offer consisted of an expressed willingness on
the part of the corporation to tune, free of
charge, all the Chickering pianos in the sur-
rounding territory and the city of San Francis-
Large Delegation of Local Merchants Goes to Los Angeles—Northern California Association Ap- co. Letters and telephone calls are understood
points Committee to Study the Piano Trade-in Situation—New Store in Stockton
to have poured in, this ready response on the
part of the public showing its keen appreciation
C A N FRANCISCO, CAL., June 19.—A large increasing demand for player-pianos recently. of the offer of Lee S. Roberts, Inc.
^ representation from San Francisco and the Most space is being given to window displays
The first of the firm's Ampico-Chickering re-
Bay region will attend the Western Music of music rolls. Sherman, Clay & Co. have been citals was given last evening. The public has
Trades Convention in Los Angeles. P. T. Clay, utilizing one of the Sutter street windows of
been invited.
president of Sherman, Clay & Co.; Fred R. their store continuously on Q R S music rolls,
Public Invited to Stockton Opening
Mr. Quinn pointed out, and the Wiley B. Allen
Sherman, vice-president, Richard Ahlf, head of
This evening the public has been invited to
Co. has just installed a feature window on the formal opening of the new Stockton store
the piano department, Ed. Little, manager of
the publishing department, Arthur Duclos, Cj R S rolls, and the latest song successes on of Sherman, Clay & Co. The reception is front;
7 till 10 p. m. Visitors will be given an op-
Shirley Walker, Robert Bird, Neill C. Wilson, the new rolls. The Querg Music Co., operating
and A. S. Cobb, the last named from the North- two music stores in San Francisco, has lately portunity to inspect the beautiful new store
west, are all understood to be preparing to been featuring rolls extensively and in both which is at 515 East Main street, Stockton, and
stores has a player-piano close to the door, there will be music, with gifts of souvenirs.
leave for the South within the next few days.
in order to facilitate demonstrations and sales.
Music Memory Contest Recapitulation
Beeman P. Sibley, president of the Western
It is believed that Lee S. Roberts, Inc., will
A recapitulation of the Fourth Annual Music
Piano Corp., will leave within a day or two.
W. A. Lund, his Northwest representative, has probably have a feature display of Q R S rolls Memory Contest (1924-1925), held in connection
in the near future.
with the San Francisco Music Week, has just
already gone South. A. L. Quinn, Coast man-
Can't Get Away From Piano People
been published. The San Francisco Community
ager for the Q R S Music Co., will attend.
Officers and representatives of Eastern fac- Service, Recreation League, which had general
Auto Caravan Will Form Long Procession
supervision of the city's music week, makes
J. Raymond Smith of the J. Raymond Smith tories who call on Richard Ahlf, manager of
Music Co. is chairman of the auto caravan the piano department of Sherman, Clay & Co., in this publication a special "Acknowledg-
ment" to Sherman, Clay & Co.: "Two Vic-
which starts from the city hall here at 7.30 a. m., know Miss Amati, the courteous secretary of
Mr. Ahlf. Miss Amati has |ust returned from trolas and 220 Victor records were generously
on the 21st. With pennants flying, bearing the
name of the Western Music Trade Association, a vacation to southern California, taken with given by Sherman, Clay & Co. as prizes. Sherman,
the auto caravan will proceed down the Santa a girl friend who drove her own car. They Clay & Co. also loaned the school Victrolas
Clara Valley and at San Jose the Oakland visited Los Angeles, Coronado and other points and records during the contest; they also sup-
caravaners will join the procession. On their and, while enjoying a very pleasant time, were plied the printing of all the necessary slips and
way South, other dealers will fall in. The auto impressed by the large number of piano peo- other incidentals in the contest."
The foregoing shows how much the big mu-
caravan will pass the night at San Luis Obispo, ple met on their travels. "It's no use, you
take luncheon the next day at Ventura and will can't get away from piano people. They crop sic firm did to make San Francisco's music
be met, late in the afternoon, by the Los An- up all the time," said Miss Amati, on returning week a success. In addition to cash value, it
also gave the time of some of its employes
geles delegation in Hollywood. A large delega- from her vacation.
Offer Brings Quick Response
which was also of considerable value. In a
tion is expected to take part in the caravan.
It is understood that there has been a re- word, it gave with a public-spirited generosity
Easterners Come and Go on
markable response of the generous offer made which showed how much it cherishes the mu-
Alex McDonald, of Sohmer & Co., and Gor-
by Lee S. Roberts, Inc., when it made its in- sical development of the city.
don Campbell, son of Mark P. Campbell, presi-
dent of the Brambach Piano Co., are staying at
fade outs, produces effect of sunrise, sunset,
the St. Francis Hotel, but they will leave for
moonlight, etc., to inspire the artist's greatest
the South in a day or two. Corley Gibson,
effort.
president of the Autopiano Co., has been here
and has already left for the South.
Studio in Tower of New Straus Building Is
Back From One Convention, Leave for Another
Beautifully Furnished and Completely Equip-
A very pleasant trip to the convention in
ped
Chicago was enjoyed by Frank Anrys, general
{Continued from page 3)
manager of the Wiley B. Allen Co., and James
CHICAGO, I I I . , June 20.—'One section of the new
J. Black, treasurer. They returned a few days
Zenith Broadcasting Station, WJAZ, located on movement) Beethoven; three numbers from the
ago and are preparing to leave for the Con-
the' twenty-third floor in the tower of the new Carnival Schumann; Goyescas, Granados. And
vention in Los Angeles. Mr. Black said that
the winner of the finals might be required, as
they considered the Chicago convention highly
preliminary to receiving the prize, to play in
successful, with a very representative attend-
public, before the assembled representatives of
ance.
the industry, a complete program similar to the
To Consider Problem of Piano Trade-in
above, with perhaps a brilliant concerto like
A committee of the Northern California Mu-
Mos/kowski's in E minor, to wind up with.
sic Trade Association has been appointed to
Results?
investigate and see if some better understand-
What would it do for the trade? Briefly, it
ing can be arrived at for dealers, regarding the
would stimulate immensely the sale of music
amount to be taken on pianos in trade. The
rolls. Then, it would cause a vast amount of
committee consists of George Q. Chase, presi-
newspaper talk about the player-piano. Some
dent of Kohler & Chase; Lawrence Lindsey of
of this would be that most terrible of all things,
the Wiley B. Allen Co. and Beeman P. Sibley,
newspaper humor; but that would be better
president of the Western Piano Corp.
Zenith Broadcasting Station
than the present general ignoring. Then, it
Straus Building, is shown in the accompanying would make thousands of owners interested
Seem Eager for Used Player-pianos
A large advertisement in the Oakland news- photograph.
once more and stimulate them into practicing
papers stated that the John Breuner Co. de-
To promote the cause of better broadcasting, and taking a new interest in their instruments.
sires to buy twenty-five used player-pianos. So
the most modern details have been taken into Then it would get the musicians everywhere
eager apparently is the firm to secure the pianos consideration in the installation of the new sta- linked up with the thing and show to thousands
that it offers to give cash or, if desired, fur- tion. Besides the beautiful furnishings and ar- of these, for the first time, that the player-
niture, rugs, etc., in return for the players. The rangement shown in the photograph, elaborate piano is a musical instrument. Then, it would
John Breuner Co., a furniture establishment, electrical
apparatus ingeniously
concealed bring, at the finals, an enormous amount of
has a very live, piano department of which throughout the setting of both garden and ver- free publicity, in which every one of us would
Charles Mauzy is manager.
anda is operated by the property man from his share more or less.
Why Not Think About It?
station, which is hidden from view, but from
Sees Interest Increasing in Players
Of course some one will say that it could
which he can see the entire performance.
Considerable interest is evident, on the part
By means of automatically controlled light- not be done: some one always does. Yet, does
of the Pacific Coast dealers, in player-pianos
and in music rolls. This is the opinion of A. ing apparatus positioned scientifically, the oper- any one seriously think that it would not be
L. Quinn, Coast manager of the Q R S Music ator follows the theme of the selection being a good thing if it were done? Then, why not
Co., who has noted with much satisfaction, the broadcast, and with flood lights, fade ins, and think about it?
San Francisco Is Well Represented
at the Western Music Trades Convention
Modern New Broadcasting
Station Opened by Zenith
A National Contest
for Player-Pianists
Highest
Quality
Highest
Quality

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