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THE
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW,
August-September,
1932
NEW AEOLIAN-AMERICAN CORP. FORMED
TO HANDLE THE MANUFACTURING END
A
S the result of a series of meetings
between directors and representatives
of the stockholders of the Aeolian
Co. and the American Piano Corp., there was
organized late in July, becoming effective on
August 1, a new joint subsidiary manufac-
turing corporation, representing the combined
production resources of both companies and
to be known as the Aeolian-American Corp.
Both the Aeolian Co. and the American
Piano Corp. will retain their separate iden-
tities as retailers of pianos and reproducing
pianos with the new corporation taking over
all wholesale selling and the manufacturing
activities. It is stated that manufacturing
operations will be confined for the present to
the big and modern plants in Neponset,
Mass., and East Rochester, N. Y., which
will mean the elimination of other plants
and will effect economies.
The officers of the Aeolian-American Corp.
are: President, W. H. Alfring, president of
the Aeolian Co.; executive vice-president,
Gardner C. Kavanagh, who holds a similar
office with the American Piano Corp.; treas-
urer, W. Lee White, also treasurer of the
American Piano Corp.; secretary, Clarence
E. Bahn, and assistant treasurers, R. W.
Staff and E. C. Thompson.
Among the pianos of wide reputation, the
manufacture of which will be controlled by
the new corporation, are included the Mason
& Hamlin, Knabe, Chickering, Weber,
George Steck, Fischer, Marshall & Wendell
and Haines Brothers, while the reproducing
pianos comprise the Duo-Art and the Ampico.
In announcing the new organization Wil-
liam H. Alfring, the president, said: "The
new Aeolian-American Corp. commences
operations with a substantial net worth and
working capital and no obligations, and owns
free and clear the most modern and fully
equipped piano building plants in America.
"Moreover, the new corporation will be
fully self-contained in that it will control
all its own facilities for the manufacture of
plates, actions, cases and other elements en-
tering into the building of finished instru-
PHILIP WYMAN NOW
BALDWIN CO. DIRECTOR
Philip Wyman, vice-president of the Bald-
win Piano Co., Cincinnati, O., was recently
elected a director of the company to fill the
vacancy caused by the recent death of George
W. Armstrong, Jr. Mr. Wyman has been
an active factor in the Baldwin company
for a number of years and is a very popular
member of the trade.
H. E. CAPEHART HEADS NEW
PACKARD-CAPEHART, INC.
H. E. Capehart, founder of the Capehart
Corp., Fort Wayne, Ind., who recently re-
signed from that organization, is president
of the newly organized Packard-Capehart,
Inc., in Fort Wayne. The new company
has already begun the manufacture of
popular-priced automatic phonograph-radio
combinations and record-changing units in
the well-equipped plant formerly occupied
One particular merit of the book is frank-
ness and the authors have not hesitated in
presenting those objections and criticism that
have been heard frequently from individuals
opposed to the plan for some reason mostly
selfish. Certainly logical answers are offered
for the twoscore outstanding criticisms and
the booklet should prove of much direct
benefit, both to those who are working to
spread the operation of piano class instruc-
tion and also to those fair-minded objectors,
themselves, who are willing to read and
listen.
REPORTS ORGAN SALES
KEEPING UP WELL
WM. H. ALFRING
ments of a recognized high quality.
"The character and identity of the instru-
ments, which, under their respective names,
have earned such a splendid reputation with
the musical public, will be preserved and
probably will, in some cases, be still further
enhanced, due to the opportunity now cre-
ated for the best talent and craftsmanship
of all participating companies."
The combining of the manufacturing fa-
cilities of the two big companies is regarded
generally as a most logical move and one
making for increased production efficiency
while still observing quality standards. It
places the new company in a most favorable
position to meet the existing business situa-
tion on a sound basis and to profit immeas-
urably from any general upturn in business
which appears certain in the near future. It
is significant that a great majority of the
dealers representing both companies have ex-
pressed their enthusiasm over the arrange-
ment as one calculated to increase their
opportunities.
by the Packard Piano Co., in that city. The
new products will be known under the name
of Packard.
Associated with Mr. Capehart in the new
venture are J. E. Voyles, formerly secretary
and general manager of the Capehart Corp.,
who is secretary of the new company, and
R. G. Norman of Fort Wayne, also formerly
with the Capehart Corp.
BOOK ANSWERS CRITICISMS
ON GROUP PIANO STUDY
The National Bureau for the Advancement
of Music recently made an important addi-
tion to its list of publications in the form
of a booklet of answers to criticisms of
piano class instruction. The little volume
has been written by Ella H. Mason, head
of the Piano Class Department of the bureau,
and Raymond Burrows, lecturer in music
education at Teachers' College. Both authors
have had wide direct experience in pro-
moting class instruction on the piano.
In spite of generally slack business, the
Wangerin Organ Co., Milwaukee, has been
booking enough orders to keep its organiza-
tion intact, according to A. A. Wangerin,
president of the concern. Among recent
orders has been that for the organ in the
Boys' Technical High School in Milwaukee,
which is now being built at the factory at
2330 South Burrell street. Specifications for
the instrument and the plans for the cham-
ber in which the organ will be installed
were drawn up by the firm and then pre-
sented to the school board for approval.
Preliminary installations will be started
shortly. This is the second pipe organ to
be installed in Milwaukee public schools,
one having been installed in the Wash-
ington High School some time ago to be
used in connection with the music course
and for concerts and entertainments.
OCCUPIES NEW QUARTERS
IN LEXINGTON, KY.
The J. P. Simmons Music Co. recently oc-
cupied new quarters at 222 East Main street,
Lexington, Ky., carrying a full line of
pianos, radios, musical merchandise and sheet
music, with the Baldwin piano line featured.
The company recently bought out the
Meadors Music Co. J. P. Simmons, head
of the company, has been in the piano busi-
ness for forty-nine years.
- Durable Instrument in America.
A Piano
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S 117 West 57th Street
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