Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW,
February, 1932
THE SCHOOL MUSICIANS TAKE A NEW
AND IMPORTANT PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY
T
HE newspapers of the country continue
to devote much editorial space to music
and especially to the value of school
music and personal expression. Particularly
interesting is the following editorial from
The Rahway (N. J.) Recorder recently which
offers a new thought on the special value
of school music under existing conditions to
take the place of professional and amateur
groups which have had to curtail activities
due to limited finances. The editorial read:
as large at the High School, as well as the
teaching of the appreciation of music.
"Unfortunately only a few persons in
Rahway realize the renaissance which is tak-
ing place in the music world and especially
among the younger generation. Let us hope
that the High School instrumental groups
and the various glee clubs might become
proficient enough in order to give a public
concert some time in the near future. Such
a concert would fill the gap left vacant this
winter by the elimination of the anniujl con-
cert series given here by the National Music
League. In Somerville last Friday night,
music lovers heard a concert of instrumental
music given by 50 boys and girls in the
High School. A similar event could easily
be given here by our own talented pupils.
"There is nothing more essential in a com-
munity life than some means of furnishing
expression to those who have musical inclina-
tions. That such a movement as that which
is evident in our schools has reached its
present proportions is indication that we have
no cause for fear. It is to be hoped that
these boys and girls will be encouraged in
every possible way
OUR YOUTHFUL MUSICIANS
"With the popularity of the radio making
the enjoyment of music too easy, so easy that
it would not be appreciated, many of those
who felt that the greatest joys of music came
from playing it, and not listening to it, were
worried about what seemed an inevitable
decadence. It was considered a tragedy that
America should face the danger of receiving
its music second-hand, no matter what the
quality of the music which was to be en-
joyed.
"But the fears of these people, fortunately,
are unfounded. The manufacture of pianos
has increased during the past year. The
learning and appreciation of music is becom-
ing more universal with the passing months,
and in our own school system probably more
consideration has been given to music by the
teachers and pupils than any other subject
during the present school year.
"A comprehensive survey of the advance-
ment of the appreciation and study of music
in the Rahway Public Schools was the basis
of a long report by Superintendent Perry at
a recent meeting of the Board of Education.
This report told of the organization of boys'
and girls' glee clubs in the High School and
Eighth Grade, of the chorus formed for the
Christmas community sing, of the formation
of a 40-piece orchestra, and a band almost
INSTRUCTION METHODS HAVE IMPROVED
THE WAY PIANO INSTRUCTION SEEMED TO TOMMY FIVE YEARS AGO
T
HE rapid increase in the number of chil-
dren taking piano instructions, both in
the schools of the country and from pri-
vate teachers, has been due in no small meas-
ure to the simplified and highly interesting
methods of piano instruction that have
been developed in recent years. These meth-
ods have made piano studies a pleasure
rather than a punishment, and the hundreds
of thousands of youngsters receiving instruc-
that they are properly represented before the congressional
committees to protect themselves against any discrimination.
The time to fight inimical tax legislation is before it is
enacted, not afterwards. We may talk all we care to of the
necessity of music, of the educational status of the piano, the
violin, etc., but what really accomplishes results is a direct
protest, for when dollars are concerned, legislators are not
much interested in education or art.
Although the proposed Federal legislation stands out most
prominently, reports come of various states and cities that are
contemplating special taxes to meet emergency. Many of
these taxes will strike at the music trade, either directly or
indirectly, and it will be well for members of the industry
to be closely on their guard.
PIANOS ARE BOUGHT FOR USE
NOT SIMPLY AS BARGAINS
^^^
I
•^^B
I ^B
OBODY buys a piano because it's a bargain,"
declares the magazine The Business Week in
the heading of an interesting and optimistic
survey of the piano business and its prospects.
Here is something for the piano dealer to think about, par-
tions represent the piano market of the future.
No more graphic illustrations of the old
methods of piano teaching could be desired
than that presented here through the courtesy
of the Weaver Piano Co. The picture which
appeared in the Weaver Dealer gives a
child's impression of piano keyboard under
the old and arduous instruction lessons.
Nowadays the average child can actually
play in a half dozen lessons or so.
ticularly the individual who makes his appeal on price alone.
Pianos are bought because people want them, and for the
purpose of producing music, and not simply as a pleasant
means of disposing of some hard earned dollars. The ques-
tion of value enters very strongly because replacements are
few and far between, as compared with other items of home
furnishings. In view of this fact, it behooves the dealer when
he finds an interested prospect to trade up his sale and not
simply quote the bottom price in order to cut down sales re-
sistance. This has been done successfully aqd can be done
again, if the retailer is sufficiently interested in enjoying a
profitable business turnover.
Despite the many advertised sales of pianos at ridiculously
low prices, it is significant that those companies who make
varied price lines of instruments report decreased sales in the
cheap end and increased sales in the higher priced lines during
1931. This indicates that the general buying public still dis-
criminates.