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MUSICAL MERCHANDISE
Conducted By Thomas W. Bresnahan
Toledo Schools Making Big Effort to
Increase Scope of School Orchestras
W:th Opening of Sessions This Fall, Special Call I J Sent Out to Attract More Pupils to Organ-
izations—Course Includes Individual Instruction and Ensemble Work
"TpOLEDO, OHIO, November 18.—String and
*• wind instruments are purchased mainly by
boys and girls of school age in this territory.
While this has been true ever since the season
started, it is doubly so now. At the start not
a few pupils were undecided about the instru-
ment they should play and others with the de-
sire to play had not found the proper associates.
But now the majority of band prospects have
definitely settled upon a plan and are studying
to accomplish their ambition.
In the past the orchestra was considered
supreme and still maintains a leading place. But,
with the advent of more brass instruments, its
popularity has swung to bands to a greater ex-
tent and the boys are turning to wind instru-
ments with greater zest. Only yesterday, a
prominent music dealer stated, a boy about
twelve years of age came to the store and asked
the price of a trombone. He had been play-
ing the violin but was itching to blow a horn.
And this is not uncommon.
An idea of the scope of the school music
work, where many of the future band members
are receiving their training, may be gained
from the following school orchestra call of the
public schools:
School Orchestra Call
New players must be developed in order to
maintain the efficiency of the school orchestra.
Beginners are placed in the junior orchestra and
are advanced into the regular orchestra as soon
as they can qualify.
Here is an opportunity for every boy and girl
in the school to play in the school orchestra.
Most of the players to-day are pupils who never
played an instrument before they took up the
training in the school.
The instrumental music course consists of a
lesson and an orchestra rehearsal each week in
the school at a cost of $4 a month. This rep-
resents a minimum of one hour and a half of
interest-compelling work each week. Violins,
cornets and clarinets are furnished to pupils
who cannot otherwise obtain instruments of
their own, at a usage charge of $1 a month.
These instruments later become the actual
property of the pupils. Every advantage is
placed within easy reach of the pupil. A com-
plete outline of the instrumental music course
can be secured from the teacher, principal or
instrumental instructor if you desire it. Or the
instructor will be pleased to talk with you if
you will call on lesson day at the school.
In order for pupils to enroll in this work and
be placed in the orchestra, parents must fill out
and sign a pledge slip which can be secured
from the teacher, principal or instrumental
music instructor. Hand the pledge slip back
to any one of the above-mentioned persons and
your boy or girl will be enrolled in the school
instrumental orchestra course and an instru-
ment will be issued if one is required.
Notice: In the past, beginners were allowed
to commence the instrumental and orchestra
training at any time. This year beginners will
be accepted only at regular stated intervals.
The school instrumental music course offers
an unusual opportunity to your boy or girl.
From a musical education and cultural stand-
point it is valuable and the opportunity to play
in a regular orchestra is a training that can-
not be overestimated.
Grinnell Bros, recently arranged a window
which illustrated the full construction process
and parts of the Bacon banjo from the raw
material to the finished product. This display
was not alone interesting but educational as
well, for few people have a conception of the
parts necessary and the exactness required in
the construction of a fine banjo. Fred Bacon
recently gave a concert in Grinnell hall which
was attended by many devotees of string music.
This store is conducting classes in banjo,
mandolin and guitar study for beginners, and a
group of young folks is learning to play the
saxophone under the direction of Byron Spratt.
This will later be used as the nucleus of a saxo-
phone band. King band instruments, Bacon,
Vega and Gibson banjos and the leading makes
of trombones, cello and clarinets are carried.
A. R. Cummings, formerly manager of the small
goods department here, is now representing the
Gibson Banjo Co., of Kalamazoo, Mich., on the
road.
The J. W. Greene Co. is coupling its efforts
with the national publicity of Conn. An attrac-
tive window display of Conn saxophones, trom-
bones, trumpets and clarinets is obtaining much
interest and giving aid to the slogans: "Make
the Band Team" and "Who is the Popular Boy."
In the display cut-outs of boys and girls playing
wind instruments are employed as a back-
ground.
Pan-American band instruments are also fea-
tured in a large way here for beginners. Because
the line is a popular-priced one, it is meeting
with pronounced success with schools and those
desiring a high-grade instrument, at a nominal
price, Kenneth Kneisel, manager, stated.
This store is going to the pupils instead of
waiting for them to come to the store. When-
ever possible, talks are given by Mr. Kneisel
before beginner classes in the school. The pur-
pose of the various instruments that go to make
up an orchestra and the part each plays is de-
scribed, each instrument being explained in de-
tail. Through this school work much business
is coming to the store. Kenneth Kneisel was
one of those who sent in a worth-while slogan
for the music store in The Review contest
conducted recently.
Sam Sautelle is a new member of the depart-
ment outside force. He will devote much of
his time to following up prospects and to fur-
thering the school band end of the store's ac-
tivities. Walter J. Dean has organized several
banjo and mandolin clubs which were equipped
by the store.
Vincent De Prisco, dealer in Holton band in-
struments and the Lyon & Healy line of artist
models, reports a very satisfactory Fall volume.
This week he is featuring the new slide on the
Holton saxophone, the Lyon & Healy improved
saxophone and the artist saxophone, as well as
the adjustment on the Holton saxophone which
does away entirely with the cork. North
American and Globe accordions are given
prominence likewise.
Kenneth Troxler, of Kings Orchestra, re-
cently purchased a Sousaphone here. A Buffett
clarinet, Lyon & Healy B flat saxophone and a
trumpet were delivered the past week to. the
Danbury, O., school. The school at Elmore,
O., also purchased clarinets and trumpets. A set
of Leedy drums was delivered to the Palmetto
restaurant orchestra.
Mr. De Prisco recently signed contracts with
the Pastime, East Auditorium and the Overland
movie houses for curtain advertising space to
acquaint people in the West End and the East
Side with his repair service. He is looking for-
ward to a large holiday business in small goods.
Bruno & Son Issue Their
Ninety-Second Catalog
1927 Edition Is More Complete Than All Those
Published Before in Firm's Ninety-two Years
of Existence
The appearance of the annual catalog of C.
Bruno & Son, Inc., wholesalers of musical
merchandise, 353 Fourth avenue, New York, is
always a notable event in the musical merchan-
dise world. Announcement of the 1927 Bruno
catalog went out to the trade last week.
The new catalog is the company's ninety-
second annual book, which in itself is the most
striking record of achievement in the industry.
It has been prepared under the direction of
Charles Sonfield, general sales manager of the
firm, who has spent several months supervising
its compilation.
It lists practically every article known to
musical merchandise, for this firm carries as
complete a line as can be found. There are a
number of special color pages that are attrac-
tive to the eye and the whole book reflects
the high quality and standards of this long-
established house.
Medina Harmonica Contest
MEDINA, N. Y., November 20.—The harmonica
contest being staged at the Park Theatre to-
day, November 27 and December 4, has given
local music dealers plenty of trade in har-
monicas. More are entered than last year, when
a wide sale was enjoyed.
Consult the Universal Want
The Review.
BRETSCH
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