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The Music Trade Review
JULY 16, 1927
Western Convention Meets in San Francisco (Continued from page 4)
luncheon and introduced the guests, among
whom were Charles Edison, son of Thos. A.
Edison and president of the Edison interests in
Orange, N. J. There were the usual entertain-
ment features to enliven the luncheon proceed-
ings.
Group Piano Instruction Demonstrated
On Wednesday afternoon the visiting dealers
had a first-hand opportunity of witnessing the
manner in which classes in group piano in-
struction are carried on. An hour each was
devoted to demonstrations of the Bevitt Sys-
tem, already in successful use on the Coast,
and to the Melody Way Method, as originated
by W. Otto Miessner, and in use in many
cities of the country, particularly in the East.
The Atwater Kent Co. Party
In the evening all registered delegates were
the guests of the Atwater Kent Manufacturing
Co. at a dinner and dance at the St. Francis.
The guests gathered in the Italian Ballroom,
where a Bohemian atmosphere had been ar-
ranged with entertainment and singing. They
then adjourned to the Colonial Ballrom where
supper was served, and a number of unique fea-
tures were introduced. The dance music was
by the Atwater Kent Radio Orchestra, and
during the evening a number of artists were
presented, including Allan McQuahe, popular
tenor and Brunswick artist, and Carolyn Cone-
Baldwin, pianist, and Chickering-Ampico artist.
Final Sessions on Thursday
The session on Thursday morning was given
over to a general discussion of the various
promotion plans now under way. The first
speaker was Edward C. Boykin, executive sec-
retary of the Sales Promotion Committee of
the National Piano Manufacturers' Association,
who outlined the plans of that body and th':
excellent results that have been achieved in
helping the dealer sell more pianos. Mr. Boy-
kin said that what the piano needs to-day is
a good five-week method of learning to play
and that a lot of good heads are giving thought
to that problem. Mass thought on any product,
he said, sells that product and the drawback
to the mass sale of pianos has been the diffi-
culty in learning to play. The speaker declared
that the real competitors of the piano merchant
are outside the trade. He offered the services
of his committee to the dealers and told of the
response that has already been received from
the public as indicating the possibilities of arous-
ing interest in the piano. In closing he told
of the Committee for the Advancement of Piano
Study, consisting of some thirty artists of in-
ternational reputation, which will hold a meet-
ing in Chicago in September.
Mr. Boykin was asked a number of questions,
among them his ideas as to why it would not
be possible for manufacturers to advertise their
piano prices so that all may know them. He
was also asked if it would not be possible for
the associations to bring pressure to bear on
members to deal only in pianos nationally ad-
vertised and priced. He declared that the key
to this problem was the proper handling of the
trade-in.
James J. Block, treasurer of the Wiley B.
Allen Co., in discussing the piano playing tour-
nament, said it was the part of the history
of all progressive industries to regulate them-
ESTABLISHED 1862
stlves to changes that come about within them. designed for the homes of the great middle class
When these problems are within the industry inasmuch as richly decorated instruments have
they are easily solved, but when an industry always been available to those with sufficient
finds itself in the position where the attitude means to pay for them. He made a plea that
of the public towards its product is becoming in the production of period cases the manufac-
indifferent, it is high time for it to take steps turers be honest with the pTiblic in offering
for reviving public interest in its product. He instrument properly designed and in keeping with
recalled the time when the possession of a the period represented, and said that there was
piano was considered real evidence of culture, much still to be done in improving styles and
but declared that condition had passed with the designs and in selling the new cases.
result that the trade has awakened and is taking
James T. Fitzgerald, chairman of the Resolu-
steps to re-establish its product with the public. tions Committee, presented four resolutions
One of the means to that end is the piano play- which were adopted without a dissenting voice.
ing contest which had proven its value.
The first resolution was that piano playing and
Mr. Black outlined the carrying out of the musical instrument instruction generally be ac-
piano playing contest held in San Francisco credited in colleges and high schools as a regu-
by the Music Trades' Association of Northern lar part of the curriculum. It was moved that
California in co-operation with the San i"ran- copies of the resolution be sent to every college
cisco Call. At the conclusion of his talk he and high school in the Pacific Coast territory.
answered a number of questions.
The second resolution was to the effect that
The next speaker was George Cain, vice-presi- piano playing contests be held in all large cities
dent of the Miessner Institute, Milwaukee, who in the territory of the association as a part
appeared as representative of W. Otto Miessner, of its regular promotion work.
head of the Institute. Mr. Cain displayed a vol-
The third resolution urged that all piano
ume of publicity from newspapers regarding manufacturers have their pianos priced clearly,
Melody Way lessons as evidence of the manner and the fourth and final resolution was one of
in which this form of group instruction is thanks to the Victor Talking Machine Co. and
being featured in many cities of the country, the Atwater Kent Mfg. Co. for the generous
and the manner in which it appeals to the press entertainment provided by those concerns.
and the public. He particularly stressed that
Edward H. Uhl, of Los Angeles, was elected
interest is not confined to the children, but president; G. F. Johnson, of Portland, Ore.,
that many older people are following the courses first vice-president; Loyal W. Daynes, of the
in various sections. He declared that in prac- Consolidated Music Co., Salt Lake City, second
tically every city free piano lessons are con- vice-president; Frank Grannis, Southern Cali-
sidered worthy of front page publicity.
fornia Music Co., Los Angeles, treasurer; D.
E. J. Delano, manager of the retail band and Palmer Tucker, Wiley B. Allen Co., Los An-
orchestra department of Sherman, Clay & Co., geles, secretary, and A. G. Farquharson, of Los
San Francisco, made a strong plea to make Angeles, executive secretary. The directors are:
the people of the United States not only a For Arizona, Gene Redewill, of Phoenix; Brit-
nation of listeners, but a nation of music mak- ish Columbia, James Fletcher, of Victoria, and
ers, and gave it as his opinion that the band is Daryl Kent, of Vancouver; California, Frank
the thing to concentrate upon. He declared that Anrys, San Francisco; Wm. Cross, Oakland;
the contest is the way to arouse universal in- Mrs. S. S. Hockett, Fresno; A. D. Lamotte,
terest in bands and described the high school San Diego; John Martin, Los Angeles; Norman
1
band contest held in San Francisco during F. Maw, San Diego; Ellis Marx, Sacramento ;
Don
C.
Preston,
Bakersfield;
Frank
Salmacia,
Music Week, which is resulting in the forma-
tion of many new organizations. As chairman Glendale; Morley T. Thompson, San Francisco,
of the Band Contest Committee, Mr. Delano and James T. Fitzgerald, Los Angeles; Idaho,
gave considerable advice on the organizing of C. B. Sampson, Boise; Montana, W. C. Orton,
Butte; Oregon, E. B. Hyatt, Portland, and G. C.
band concerts.
Will,
Salem; Utah, George S. Glen, Ogden;
Ernest L. Owen, head of the music depart-
ment of the Tamalkais High School, Mill Val- Washington, Russell T. Bailey, Spokane; Hugh
ley, Cal., discussed instrumental music in the Campbell, Seattle, and E. R. Mitchell, Seattle.
public schools and the granting of credits for Los Angeles will be the next convention city.
same. He declared that the real need was for
better teachers, more and better instruments,
and special rooms for music study in the high
schools.
The final speaker of the session was John H.
are built on correct
Parnham, president of the Cable-Nelson Piano
acoustic
principles
Company, South Haven, Mich., who was intro-
— with workman-
duced by Mr. Clay as the manufacturer who has
ship and finish of
succeeded in producing art pianos successfully
the highest grade.
at moderate prices. Mr. Parnham, in a brief
address, told of the radical changes that have
been made in piano case design within the
past two years and declared that this had been
brought about largely by the demand of the
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