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SAisicirade Review
Published Weekly
FBDF.RATED BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS, INC.
420 Lexington Ave.
New York
Magazine
Number
\J
Vol. 88
May 11, 1929
No. 19
Single Copies
Ten Cents
Annual Subscription.
Two Dollars
Why Did This
Inspiring Musk Event
Lack Trade Support?
In Houston, Texas, Where 2,000 Children Played and Sang in an Elaborate Program as Part of the Annual Music Festival
N the majority of the cities and towns of public schools in the city auditorium, the pro- on that occasion, and actual sales possibilities
the country the progressive music mer- gram being participated in by some 2,000 chil- for many instruments of other types to those
chants are working hard and earnestly to dren, as the members of the various choruses, whose musical interest has been aroused
arouse a more general interest in the playing orchestras or bands. The affair attracted a through the harmonica. If summed up, There
of musical instruments by children of school crowd that filled the auditorium to capacity, were nearly 300 instruments taking part, a
age and particularly to encourage school au- but, to quote one prominent dealer of the city, nucleus over which the school system in any
thorities to sponsor the formation of bands and "The music merchants of our town took no city might feel proud. An appeal to the parents
orchestras among their pupils and to establish interest at all in the entertainment given and of those youngsters should bring surprising
group instruction classes in pianos and other gave no help to make it a success. They are results both in immediate and future sales.
instruments as a regular part of the school work. still trying to sell pianos in the old way."
It is stated that public schools of Houston
The campaign, which progressed slowly at the
If this indictment is true on all counts then have over 150 pianos in service. All the school
start, is now gaining momentum steadily, but it it seems hardly possible, judging from the auditoriums have grands, while the music
has required earnest effort and where success calibre of some merchants of the city, that this rooms and classrooms have uprights. The
is evident the merchants are quite elated over can be so, it shows a woeful lack of interest instruments are all tuned to concert pitch and
the results.
in a movement that has directly to do with every one is kept in first-class condition, due
In Houston, Tex., however, it would appear the promotion of musical instrument sales. In to the unceasing interest of Miss Lulu M.
that the school authorities are doing quite a the festival program eight pianos and two harps Stevens.
That the music festival had the support of
job in encouraging the formation of bands and were used; there were seventy-five pieces in
orchestras and the playing of musical instru- the band, which meant that seventy-five instru- the local newspapers was evident from the ex-
ments generally on their own initiative and ments at least were used; there were fifty tensive space given to the report of the event.
without any great assistance from the music pieces in the orchestra, which meant fifty more The Houston Chronicle, for instance, said:
"More than 2,000 children participated in the
trade of the city. Not so long ago there was instruments; and there was a harmonica band
{Continued on page 15)
held the annual music festival of the Houston of 160 pieces, which meant 160 harmonicas used
I