Music Trade Review

Issue: 1928 Vol. 87 N. 25

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
The Music Trade Review
DECEMBER 22, 1928
or should be, quite competent to develop the movement on a na-
tional basis successfully. It will have more ground to cover than
did the English trade, but in many other aspects the problem is
very similar and the details of the British contest might be studied
with considerable profit, with a view to adopting the successful
features and eliminating the faulty ones.
1
(Registered in the U. S. Patent Office)
Published Every Saturday by
Federated Business Publications, Inc.
at 420 Lexington Avenue, New York
President, Raymond Bill; Vice-Presidents, J. B. Spillane, Randolph Brown; Secre-
tary and Treasurer, Edward Lyman Bill; Assistant Secretary, L. B. McDonald;
Assistant Treasurer, Wm. A. Low.
B. BRITTAIN WILSON, Editor
CARLETON CHACE, Business Manager
Win. J. DOUGHERTY, Managing Editor
RAY BILL, Associate Editor
F. L. AVERY, Circulation Manager
E. B. MUNCH, Eastern Representative
WESTERN DIVISION:
FRANK W. KIRK, Manager
E. J. NEALY
333 No. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Telephone: State 1266
BOSTON OFFICE:
JottN H. WILSON, 324 Washington St.
i, Telephone: Main 6950
Telephone: Lexington 1760-71
Cable: Elbill New York
December 22, 1928
Vol. 87
No. 25
&etrieto €xtenb* to tfje
Jilugtc 3fabustrp Corbtal <©reet=
ings for tfje 2|olibap Reason anb
#oob (Ultsfjcs for a Successful
anb profitable Jleto f?ear
G
The British Piano-Playing Contest
REAT BRITAIN may have followed the United States
in the adoption of the piano-playing contest idea, but
she has led the United States in the presentation of thar
contest plan on a countrywide basis and the results of the first na-
tional piano-playing contest, the finals of which were held in London
recently, should prove of distinct interest to those of our American
trade who see something in this type of contest beyond a local ap-
peal.
It is to be admitted that the two countries vary greatly in size,
but there would seem to be no particular reason why the zone or
area plan adopted in England could not be worked equally well in
this country. In fact, with our state divisions, the problem should
be considerably simplified, for instead of eighteen areas, as in the
British contest, the forty-eight states would be recognized as units
and preliminary contests held within their borders to determine the
state representative to compete in the national finals.
There are other features of the British plan that might well be
considered by those who arc enthusiastic about backing a national
contest on this side of the water. The idea, for instance, of having
the entrants play original compositions written specially, for the
contest by recognized composers, and thus placing each of the con-
testants on an equal basis, is on-e that is well worthy of thought and
there is sufficient creative talent in the country to make it entirely
feasible. The plan, too., of awarding substantial prizes to the teach-
ers of the winning contestants is also one that is worthy of emula-
tion in that it is calculated to arouse the interest of the teacher pro-
fession in the contest itself, and its success to the extent of en-
couraging talented pupils to enter.
Having launched the piano-playing contest plan as a local move-
ment, and profiting by experience, the music men of this country are,
What Is The Answer?
HE message of this editorial presentment is directed
to the man in the music business who to-day may be
wondering, perhaps, why sales in his establishment
are not what they should be at this season of the year. There
are a great number of dealers throughout the music trade who will
readily tell you in mournful tone that "business is rotten," to use
their exact expression. Pressed for further explanation, they
don't hesitate in the least to declare with much emphasis that the
underlying reason for slack sales in music is fundamental—the
public isn't buying.
Then, on the other hand, reports come in from all sections of
the country testifying to "splendid sales of pianos, talking machines,
merchandise and sheet music," in some of the high-class stores
where the sales curve can always be depended upon to maintain
its level.
What is the answer ?
Late this week the writer visited that old-established and re-
nowned music house of C. H. Ditson & Co., in New York. Walk-
ing through the various departments of this general headquarters
for "Everything in Music," we were instantly reminded of the
Christmas buying season. Clerks were intently waiting on patrons;
others hurrying here and there; in the sheet music section a large
force of sales clerks were attending to the 'needs of many people;
upstairs men and women were trying out various instruments, an
expensive accordion was being played to an elderly woman who
wanted it for her boy; a young girl was seated at a harp while
the salesman pointed out its qualities; still another woman was
asking to see the musical saw outfits; two young boys with their
mother wanted harmonicas. The store was fully alive with busi-
ness.
We stood and surveyed the entire picture and mentally asked
this question: "Why can't this be true of every other music
store ?"
The answer can be given in just a few words.
Quality merchandise, including everything musical; honorable
dealings; effective advertising, Proper Window Display and Mer
chandising Promotion Methods together with high-class salesman-
ship.
There's your answer. In the aforegoing paragraph you will
find the cornerstone of this Ditson success, that is within the reach
of any other high-class music merchant who really wants to go out
and develop his business along proper lines.
As long as the world exists people of all classes will have an in-
herent love for music and a desire to express it. The public will
buy, if properly approached. Ditson has proved this. The demand
is there, but it behooves the dealer to step forth and cultivate it.
The House of Ditson has furnished us with a most inspiring .mes-
sage this Christmas season, that should give every dealer not satis-
fied with his holiday sales results this year some splendid food for
thought in making his plans for 1929.
A
Now the Musical Bean Pot
CCORDING to news despatches a woman in California
was startled to hear snatches of an orchestral concert
coming from a pot of beans cooking on the stove, and
stirring the beans found that the reception of the music was much
improved. Can this musical bean pot mean more competition for
the music dealer?
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
The Music Trade Review
DECEMBER 22, 1928
Many Trade Members at
Mehlin Funeral Rites
Funeral services for H. Paul Mehlin, the laU
head of Paul B. Mehlin & Sons, West New
York, N. J., were held at his home on Sunday
last in Maywood, N. J., where Mr. Mehlin had
lived for many years, during which time he
had been active in all civic matters pertaining
to borough affairs.
The services were conducted by the Rev.
Augustine Elmendorf, rector of Christ Epis-
copal Church, in the affairs of which Mr. Mehlin
had always been very active. Following the
Episcopal service a service was conducted by
the Hackensack Eodge of the B. P. O. E., of
which Mr. Mehlin was a. past exalted ruler.
More than one hundred members of this lodge
attended the services, which were conducted by
Colonel A. T. Holley, an old, intimate friend
of Mr. Mehliu's. In addition to the Elks dele-
gation there were more than 200 friends and
i datives present, which included a delegation
from Mehlin factory as well as a large number
ut members of the piano industry.
Interment took place in the Hackensack
Cemetery.
Simplicity in Display Gets Over a
Striking Message to Sidewalk Crowds
n p O O much is often crowded into a window
*• display, thus detracting from the effective-
ness of the plate-glass presentation that is al-
ways one excellent means of bringing prospects
|
The instrument featured in this display is
a Krakauer grand, one of the latest styles
put out by Krakauer Bros., New York
manufacturers. The A. B. Clinton Co. has suc-
The A. B. Clin-
'i ton Co., of Hart-
1 ford, Conn., Used
I this Simple Win-
|
dow Display tc
I Feature the Kra-
I
kauer Piano
Frederick Erion Dies
llllllililijIIIHIIIIilllllHUllllli
Was
Pioneer and Highly Successful
Dealer in Buffalo, N. Y.
Music
BUKKAU), N. Y., December 17.—Frederick Erion,
seventy-eight years old, pioneer music dealer
of this city, and chairman of the board of di-
rectors of Fred Erion & Co., operators of two
large musical instrument shops, died December
15 in his home in Linwood avenue after a year's
illness. Mr. Erion established the Erion Piano
Co. in 1902 on William street, and three years
later opened a second store on Broadway. Both
stores grew rapidly until they became leader
in the musical instrument field in this section.
Mr. Erion's four sons, Edward P., Arthur V\ .,
Walter C. and Fred J. Erion, joined their father
in his business enterprises as they became of
;ige, and for the past few years have relieved
him of much of the detail of the operation of
the stores. The eldest son, Edward, has been
president of the operating company for several
years. Two daughters also survive.
The funeral was held on December 17 with
burial in Forest Lawn cemetery.
Joins Kieselhorst Go.
ST. LOUIS, MO., December IS.- -Aiinouneenu nl
was made here to-day that O. B. Morrison,
for the past several years connected with tlu
Kimball Piano Co., of Detroit, has become
director of sales of the Kieselhorst Piano Co.
in this city. He will have supervision over
the disposal ' of the company's entire stock of
pianos.
Increasing business has made it necessary for
the Duncan Bros. Music Store, Oak Hill,
W. Va., of which S. E. Duncan is manager, to
move to larger quarters in the Hill Hotel
Building, that city.
j
J ince
1842
| cAmariceCs
I c Fbremost
I
'Piano
into the piano store. The A. B. Clinton Co., of
Hartford, Conn., one of the leading piano stores
of the country, uses its beautiful windows to
excellent advantage in the upbuilding of piano
business. No opportunity to reach the sidewalk
crowds is ever overlooked by this enterprising
concern.
Ned C. Strouse, manager of the store, is
largely responsible for the success of the com-
pany's window displays, which are always noted
for their simplicity, yet strong appeal to the
passer-by. The latest window display of the
Clinton store, reproduced herewith, is an excel-
lent illustration of the typical Clinton window
trim. The predominating keynote of simplicity
in the display makes a very strong appeal to
the spectator. It puts the piano in the lime-
light, yet there is a certain elegance to the
whole setting, homey and tasteful.
ccssfully retailed the Krakauer line for more
than thirty years and has been highly success-
ful in making this instrument extremely popular
in Hartford as well as New Haven, Conn.,
where they also operate a high-class music
store.
The Holmquist Musical Instrument Co.,
headed by ¥,. H. Holmquist, has opened a store
at 225 Dowd Block, Ft. Dodge, la., and will
specialize in band and orchestra instruments.
H. L. Darling in New Post
LJUKKALO, X. Y., December 17.—Hu'nter L.
Darling has been appointed manager of the
Robert L. Loud, Main street store. Dr. Dar-
ling has been actively associated with music
-tore operation for the past 15 years. He has
served as general manager of the Winter Piano
Co., at Erie, Pa., for the past seven years and
is widely known among the trade in the Great
Lakes region.
New Piano Department
The Parmelce-Dohrmann Co., Los Angeles,
Cal., which for some time past, has been han-
dling phonographs and radios with much suc-
cess, has opened an elaborate piano department
on the second floor of its store at 747 South
[•"lower street, that city.
^ S T I E F F PIANO
Will attract the attention of tkose
wko know and appreciate tone guatity
CHAS.M.STIEFF Inc.
StieffHall
~
Baltimore
Our Good-Will
Inventory
It shows a gratifying record of
old friends served and new pa-
trons won during the year of
1928. In thanking each and all
for the privilege and pleasure
thus afforded us, we extend the
warmest of greetings and the
sincerest of good wishes for a
Happy Christmas and a Bright
and Prosperous New Year.
SO. ACTON, MASS.
c
Jhe oldest
(Piano-forte in
(America to~day
owned and con"
trolled by the
direct decendents
of the founder

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