Music Trade Review

Issue: 1930 Vol. 89 N. 12

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
rchestras
are Moldrcm's
Specialty
Karl Moldrem
romp around during rest periods, but when their
leader taps his music rack they are all attention.
Mr. Moldrem has trained the orchestra in
accordance with the ideas set forth in the
method developed by himself which is pub-
lished by the Century Music Co. of New York
and is designed to present the fundamentals
of music in a manner easily understood by the
kindergarten 'child who has learned his alpha-
bet and his numerals. He states that the suc-
cess of the method lies not alone in the sim-
plicity but depends in no small measure on the
spirit of co-operation shown by the parents of
the child. Where the baby's mother is patient
and thorough in supervising home practice, the
progress made is notable.
This baby orchestra in Hollywood has given
concerts in public to audiences that, in size,
would flatter one of the big symphony organi-
zations, and, despite the fact that two or three
thousand people are facing the youthful play-
(Plcasr turn to page 32)
H
OW old must a child be before it can
be successfully trained in orchestra
playing? There are those who claim
that youngsters are most susceptible
to training between the ages of ten and twelve
and progress from then on with the result that
in many localities orchestras of boys and girls
are recruited from youngsters of those ages
and up.
As a matter of fact, Karl Moldrem, who is
connected with the Wurlitzer Co. store in Los
Angeles, has demonstrated that youngsters of
four or five years, properly directed, can be
organized into a most acceptable orchestra,
taught to take their work seriously and made
to show marked ability as musicians.
Proof of this fact is found in the Holly-
wood Baby Orchestra organized some time ago
by Mr. Moldrem. It meant the importation of
tiny violins of almost toy size and a great
amount of patience, but the result has been a
musical group that has won for itself a nation-
.wide reputation. A recent photograph- of the
orchestra reproduced herewith gives some idea
of the youthfulness of its members who play
under the baton of a four-year-old conductor.
Newspapers have given the orchestra much
publicity and what has impressed the writers
particularly is the seriousness with which
the youngsters go about their playing. They
The Hollywood Baby Orchestra—(Inset) Karol Kay, Soloist
30
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
Musical Merchandise Section of The Music Trade Review
Tonk Bros. Co. Issues New
Musical Instrument Catalog
OHO of the most important publications of
the year for dealers in musical instruments of
all kinds is the new catalog of musical mer-
chandise just off the press and now being sent
out by Tonk Bros. Co., Chicago. It is the larg-
est and most comprehensive catalog the house
has ever gotten out, and it is beautifully printed
and profusely illustrated on coated paper with
ample specifications and all essential details
given for each of the many hundred instru-
ments pictured.
This catalog can be used by the dealer as a
selling medium if he does not happen to have
the instrument which is under consideration in
stock. Particularly attractive are the beautiful
models of violins shown in natural color, and
every detail of grain and purfling. In the 240
pages of this catalog the dealer and his custom-
ers can find everything in the small goods line
from accordions to xylophones and zithers, with
parts and supplies, finishing materials, tools, etc.
"Aero Uke" Introduced by
Stromberg-Voisinet Co.
The newest instrument in the fretted group
is the Aero Uke, made by the Stromberg-Voisi-
nct Co., of 316 Union Park Court, Chicago.
This little uke is a radical departure not only
in shape, as it closely as possible resembles an
aeroplane, but in the quality and depth of tone
which President H. K. Kuhrmeycr and his as-
sistants have been able to secure.
It is sturdy in construction, with a spruce
top sounding board, covering a capacious tone
chamber. One of the instantly noticeable ad-
vantages is the case of playing. As Mr. Kuhr-
meyer put it, "Our new Aero Uke is handy
to hold because of the width of the wings, it
cuddles naturally into the crook of the right
arm, leaving the wrist and hand free for all
styles of stroking. It fingers lightly, as the
action is low, and the down pressure from the
new type bridge maintains a firm, even ten-
sion on the strings. "I believe that to 'air-
minded' young Americans its beauty and novel
appearance, combined with its musical quality,
will appeal vat once.
Fred Bacon Makes Records
of Favorite Banjo Solos
Fred J. Bacon, head of the Bacon Banjo
Co., Inc., Groton, Conn., and famous as a five-
string banjo artist, has just made recordings of
his two favorite solos, his own composition
"The Ghost Dance" and his arrangement of
"Massa's in the Cold, Cold Ground," which will
shortly be released. Mr. Bacon has played
these selections over the radio and before
schools, clubs, etc., and the records, therefore,
should be in great demand. Mr. Bacon uses a
B & D Silver Bell banjo in his recording work.
The B & D Senorita Guitar, recently intro-
duced, has met with a splendid reception from
dealers and teachers in the principal cities. A
circular describing the new instrument will be
issued shortly.
Richter Hand Decorated
Guitars Prove Popular
The new line of hand-painted and decorated
guitars recently introduced by the Richter
Mfg. Co., Chicago, has apparently made an ex-
cellent impression both on the trade and the
public in general, judging from the manner in
which orders and repeat orders are being re-
Announces
For more than half a century
Conn Instruments have been
given marked preference by
the greatest figures in the band
and orchestra world. This
lends prestige and builds
profit for the dealer who
handles Conns.
The Conn franchise may
be available in your terri-
tory. Inquiries will be
treated in confidence.
C.G. CONN,-CW.,
A New Guitar with
an amplifying reso-
nator. New in de-
sign,
construction
and appearance.
Have you had your
copy of Gibson's
latest catalog? If
not—write us!
1296 Conn Building
iilkhart, Ind.
GIBSON, Inc.
WO1U.D-S LARGEST
MANUFACTURERS «f
BAND INSTRUMENTS
Jewsaphone Introduced by
American Plating & Mfg. Co.
The American Plating & Mfg. Co., Chicago,
has added to its extensive line of musical novel-
ties another new instrument. It is called the
Jewsaphone and the illustration gives an ac-
curate idea of its shape. Greatly increasing
the size of the ancient and familiar Jews'-harp,
The New Jewsaphone
—again
"Complete equipment with
Conn Instruments enhances
the musical value of any
band at least 50%."
ceived at the company's factory, according to
Carl Richter, president. A feature that appeals
to jobbers and large dealers is that the com-
pany is in a position to confine any one model
or scenic reproduction to one concern.
V
G
SOUSA SAYS
31
Kalamazoo, Michigan
President Pidgeou has added a bell base which
emphasizes its tone. It is sold at a popular
price, leaving a generous profit for the dealer
and it's safe prophecy that any boy that ever
tried one of these Jewsaphones will not be
happy until he owns one.
The company's Saxctte and Jass-sax are still
going strong, and the holiday trade has brought
in unusually large orders for the five different
types of fifes and flageolets, flutes and orchestral
novelties which the company manufactures.

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