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FEBRUARY 18, 1928
Richard Koch, Upon Return to Europe,
Forecasts Big Demand During This Year
Head of Koch Harmonica, Inc., Tells of Plans Worked Out for Further Development
of Line in This Country During Present Year
D ICHARD KOCH, head of Koch Har-
*^- monica, Inc., now in new headquarters at
23 East Twenty-first street, New York, has
been spending a short time in this country re-
newing his acquaintance with the American
trade. Mr. Koch arrived January 25 on the S.
S. "Albert Paulin" after a stormy passage which
delayed the ship's arrival two days, and expects
to return to Germany this week. The firm's
factories are located in Trossingen, Germany,
"the harmonica center of the world."
While American headquarters of Koch Har-
monica, Inc., have been opened only a short
time, great strides in the development of its
business were reported by Mr. Koch during
1927, which was the best year in the concern's
history. This demand showed an increase in
both Koch harmonicas and Koch accordions,
the Koch piano accordion in particular showing
a remarkable popularity.
"We expect that it will not be long before
the Koch harmonicas and accordions enjoy the
same large popularity in the United States that
they have long enjoyed in every other market
in the world," declared Mr. Koch this week in
17
The Music Trade Review
an interview with a representative of The Re-
view, "and we are going to pursue an energetic
promotion campaign this year in this direction.
Our lines are now as complete as any dealer
could ask, and we are prepared to render co-
operation in the way of modern, attractive dis-
play material for windows and counters.
"Koch products are handled through the
country's leading jobbers, and they report that
the demand from music dealers is increasing
steadily. I have just returned from a trip to
Chicago, Cincinnati and other cities, and I was
immensely gratified with the progress that has
been made. Since my return to New York I
have been in conference with Alb-ert Rapalyea,
our general manager, and we have worked out
plans for still further development of this busi-
ness in 1928.
"Koch business was excellent in Germany last
year as well as in practically every country.
On my way here I stopped in England, where
our distributors and dealers are staging a num-
ber of harmonica contests, which are taking
hold with the public in fine style. I shall re-
turn to Germany filled with optimism."
Ray Wilkenson, of the Ray Wilkenson studios.
This is just a few of his students, but all of
this group are 100 per cent Bacon, due, in a
large part, to the enthusiasm shown for the in-
strument by their teacher, who was won to the
line only after playing and inspecting the many
different makes. Howard Stanchfield, manager
of the small goods department of Sherman,
Clay & Co., takes pride in showing this picture,
as all of the instruments were purchased from
his department.
H. N. White Announces
New Prices on Line
CLEVELAND, O., February 13.—New and in-
creased prices on King saxophones and band
instruments have been announced by the H. N.
White Co., maker of these instruments, 5225
Superior avenue. The new King price list was
mailed the first of this month to all King deal-
ers, and the February issue of King Dealer
News carries the announcement with the state-
ment: "There was no escape from the inevitable.
The steadily growing costs of manufacture and
distribution made an increase absolutely neces-
sary."
David L. Day Back
From Trip in West
GROTON, CONN., February 13.—David L. Day,
Easy Play Music Way
Succeeds in Milwaukee
Kesselman-O'Driscoll Co. Reports Many Sales
Made as Result of Free Lessons Given by
Firm
MILWAUKEE, WIS., February 11.—The Easy-Play-
Music-Way Contest sponsored by the Kessel-
man-O'Driscoll Co. has drawn to a close and
forty of the best students are being selected
for an additional course of ten more free les-
sons.
The contest has been a success in every way,
according to reports, teachers who assisted in
selling instruments having received a commis-
sion and the contest having also helped to
stimulate interest in band music and in band
instruments.
Free lessons on any instrument were offered
by the Kesselman-O'Driscoll Co., and in addi-
tion the store loaned instruments for the lesson
period to persons who had no instrument and
still were desirous of playing. Practically all
those persons to whom instruments were
loaned and who have kept up the lessons have
purchased an instrument.
A band will be formed by those students
who have made the most progress when the
final series of lessons is given. The formation
of the band will no doubt result in additional
band instrument business.
struments from Europe, this sliding saxophone
being especially designed for playing quarter
tones. Slide trombones and drums and tym-
pani will complete the orchestra. He plans
broadcasting selections by this special orchestra
at an early date.
"Get Behind You Bacon"
PORTLAND, ORE., February 8.—"Get Behind You
Bacon" is the slogan of this advanced class of
general manager of the Bacon Banjo Co., Inc.,
maker of B. & D. Silver Bell banjos, returned
last week from an extended business trip
through the Middle West, paying visits to deal-
ers in St. Louis, Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul
and a number of other cities. He reports that
business conditions seem to be improving grad-
ually. In Cleveland he was joined by Fred J.
Bacon, president of the company, and Mr.
Bacon spent some time in broadcasting, demon-
strating at dealers' stores, and in playing before
high schools.
Saxophonians, Organized by the Conn-
Portland Co., Score in Radio Debut
DORTLAND, ORE., February 5.—A Conn
equipped saxophone orchestra has been
organized by Ernie Meyers, manager of the
Conn-Portland Co., under the cognomen of "The
the organization is complete in the illustration,
with the exception of Mr. Baylis.
Following are the members: From left to
right: Seated, Henry Lane, solo alto and leader;
The
Saxophonians
of
Portland, Ore.
Specht to Introduce
Quarter-Tone Orchestra
Special Violins and Saxophones to Be Made
by Orchestra Leader in Radio Broadcast
Program
Some interesting music is expected to result
in the near future when Paul Specht's Jardin
Royal Orchestra offers an American synco-
pated band playing music scored in quarter
tones. Mr. Specht is at present rehearsing the
orchestra on. several numbers especially scored
for quarter-tone playing on an original scale
developed by him. Two six-string first violins
will be used in the special quarter-tone orches-
tra, while the second violin will carry the ac-
companiment with the string bass.
Mr. Specht is importing three mellow sax in-
Saxophonians." This group of saxophone art-
ists made its debut over the radio, and since
that time has been in constant demand, enter-
taining the shut-ins in the local hospitals,
through the courtesy of the Conn-Portland
store. Stanley Baylis, Meyers' assistant in the
store, is the piano accompanist and musical di-
rector of the organization and the personnel of
Leonard Shad, alto; Charles Hamilton, tenor.
Standing, Ray Jackson, baritone; Lloyd Burton,
soprano; Robert Watson, alto; Harold Sheik,
alto; Thomas King, tenor; Ernie Meyers,
bass, and Stanley Baylis, piano accompanist and
musical director, the latter not shown in the
picture. It is an organization that bids to go
far in success.