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J. E. Wurstner Wins First Prize in the
Tri-City Player-Piano Playing Contest
Cleveland Piano Tuner Wins Over Entries From the Tuners of Detroit and Toledo
in Event Under Tuners' Association Auspices
, — O L E D O , O., June 13.—The finals in the
X foot-power player-piano contest between
picked men from the Detroit, Cleveland and
Toledo divisions of the National Association of
Piano Tuners were held at Elks Club last week.
Each division contributed one-third of the prize
of $30, which was won by Joseph E. Wurstner,
president of the Cleveland division.
Following the dinner, Herbert Clabeaux, presi-
dent of the Toledo division, introduced Charles
Deutschmann, Chicago, president of the Na-
tional Association. In a short talk he con-
gratulated the local officers on the growth of
the organization. He also put emphasis on
the nature and care of the piano and the part
the dealer and the tuner play in keeping the
instrument in good serviceable condition, for
50 per cent of the instruments are out of tune.
He stressed the fact that to-day the piano has
many competitors for the dollar and that too
many dealers employ the price appeal instead
of appealing to the family life of the individual.
He urged tuners to attend the convention in
New York, at the Commodore Hotel, August
8, 9, 10, 11. National Secretary Wm. McClellan
was also present and added to the success of
the event. A. V. Minifie, Pontiac, Mich., second
vice-president of the national body, brought
with him eighteen rooters from the Detroit
division.
There were three participants in the public
contest. The eliminations held by each division
had reduced the contestants to one from each
organization. The object of the tri-city event
was to stimulate the use of the player-piano
in the production of good music, also to make
the tuner more proficient in player operation.
The contestants were Wm. Leonhardt, Toledo;
F. L. Donelson, Detroit, and Joseph E. Wurst-
ner Cleveland, winner of the contest.
Selections played by each were: "Spring
Song," by Mendelssohn; "Military Polonaise,"
by Chopin, and "Hungarian Rhapsody," by
Lizst. The judges, J. Charles Kunz, Frederick
Van Hagen and Ray Gorrell, based their de-
cision of the playing in relation to hand playing
and on the emotionalism and feeling expressed.
About 150 persons witnessed the finals.
Dealers distributed complimentary tickets to
customers, inviting them to attend.
Out-of-town tuners present included: C.
O'Harrow, Findlay, O.; O. W. Newman, Tiffin,
O.; Hiram Bassinger, Lima, O.; E. J. Disler,
Tiffin, O.; Frank Lyon and J. E. Wurstner,
Cleveland, and the following from Detroit:
F. L. Donelson, R. L. Crowe, John Getke, Paul
Oson, Paul Stanislaw, B. G. Marble, L. S.
Brown, E. C. Brink, Walter Woit, Ira Dye,
D. D. Brown, S. Watson, J. Fohlman, F. F.
Hopkins, T. O'Connor, Wm. Heaslip, R. H.
McElmury, T. M. Wise, secretary Detroit divi-
sion; S. E. Stevens, vice-president, and A. V.
Minifie, national vice-president, who sponsored
the contest and worked hard for its success.
The player used was furnished through the
courtesy of Grinnell Bros.
Music Advancement Bureau Issues New
Book Upon the Piano Playing Contest
Volume Is Designed as General Guide for Music Merchants in Sponsoring and
Developing Such Contests Within Their Own Territories
>"T"*HE National Bureau for the Advancement
•I of Music has just issued for the National
Association of Music Merchants an elaborate
illustrated brochure on "Piano Playing Con-
tests," which is designed as a guide to music
merchants in various sections of the country
who realize the importance of the contest for
securing publicity for the piano and plan such
events locally.
Before preparing the booklet, C. M. Tre-
maine, director of the Bureau, made a careful
study of the citywide piano-playing contests
held to date, with a view to ascertaining what
practices were most successful in arousing pub-
lic interest, securing entries, obtaining school
co-operation, etc., in order that the publication
should be a practical handbook for those de-
sirous of introducing the plan* locally, as well
as,a source of information and suggestions.
After a brief foreword in which Mr, Tremaine
emphasizes the value of these contests from
the educational and the commercial point of
view, there is a general chapter reviewing
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The Music Trade Review
JUNE 18, 1927
briefly the experiences of the cities which have
already held the contests, outlining the two or
three major plans of contest now in operation
and discussing some of the principal factors to
be considered wherever the idea is adopted.
Following this chapter there is a detailed ac-
count of Detroit's piano-playing contest by
Frank Bayley, who initiated and supervised that
city's pioneer effort. The story includes a full
description of the role played by the co-oper-
ating newspaper (The Detroit Times), the
school system and the music merchants, and
then goes on to a careful analysis of the admin-
istration of the contest. Appended to Mr.
Bayley's article is a report of the contest from
the newspaper point of view, written by Ray
Priest, who was publicity director in the Detroit
event.
The story of Chicago's piano-playing con-
test, the next chapter, was prepared by Peter
F. Meyer, executive secretary of the Annual
Greater Chicago Children's Piano-Playing Tour-
nament.. It stresses those features of the work
in which Chicago's methods differed from De^
troit's, more particularly the manner of arous»
ing interest and securing entries among the
school children and the music offered by the
candidates. After this come briefer reports of
the Columbus, O., contest, organized by Otto
B. Heaton; the Rochester contest, and the San
Francisco contest, the latter prepared by Shirley
Walker, president of the Music Trades' Asso-
ciation of Northern California.
A prominent place both in the general cov-
ering chapter and later in the book is given
to the Wisconsin Piano-Playing Contest Plan,
originated by W. Otto Miessner and now mak-
ing rapid headway in all parts of the country.
This plan differs in many important ways from
that carried out in Detroit and elsewhere,
notably in the inclusion of a series of group les-
sons in piano playing as a means of reaching
those who have never studied the instrument
and of bringing them into the contest and their
parents into the ranks of piano prospects.
The illustrations reproduce types of the best
full-page publicity, emblems, badges, certificates,
rings, etc., given the entries and winners in
various cities, announcement of circulars and
other helpful documentary material, such as,
judges' report forms and entry blanks.
Tribute to Lauter 80
The Lauter Style 80 grand has been meeting
with exceptional favor among dealers through-
out the country, and excellent sales are result-
ing. One dealer in particular, Ben Reynolds, of
Washington, Pa., has written the Lauter-
Humana Co. as follows:
"The style 80 grand arrived to-day, and we
have looked it over and find that it comes up to
the usual Lauter standards of quality, tone and
workmanship, and are pleased with it. It is
very nicely finished and we note with pleasure
that the key bottom is very well finished. The
action is also very nice and well regulated. We
feel that we will be able to give you some busi-
ness on this little grand, as it appeals to us."
Hardman-Peck Branch
Arrangements for opening a branch store in
the Fordham section of the Bronx have been
started by Hardman, Peck & Co., New York,
which has secured a lease on a two-story and
basement building on East Fordham road, near
the Windsor Theatre. A temporary store has
already been opened by the company at 307^
East Kingsbridge road, near the intersection at
Fordham road. Francis A. Young, at one time
identified with the Aeolian Co., has been ap-
pointed manager of the Hardman branch and is
assisted by Joseph Hagemeyer, formerly at-
tached to the sales force at the main store at
433 Fifth avenue.
Young Opens Branch Store
Thomas R. Young, who conducts music stores!
in Salisbury and Parksley, Md., has opened a,"
new branch in Goodman's department store,;
Princess Anne, Md.
*
Consult the Universal Want
The Review.
^ S T I E F F PIANO
Will attract tke attention of those
who Know and appreciate tone guality
CHAS.M.STIEFF
Inc.
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