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Holmes Piano Co. Now Has
Music Center of Twenty-two Rooms
The Holmes Piano Co. of which Harry
S. Holmes is the head was faced with a
problem last year, when it became neces-
ary for them to move out of the location
they had occupied for several years, but
necessity being the mother of invention
and Mr. Holmes always having a flair for
The 'cottage' as lie calls it consists
of 22 rooms, 7 of which are used for
selling rooms, and there is an organ
salon where Hammond organs are dis-
played and demonstrated about 40 x 20
feet. There are also 8 studios for lessons
and practice room. At a recital 150
THE 22-KOOM COTTAGE Ml SIC CENTER OF THE HOLMES 1'IAXO CO.. HEMI'STEAI), I,. I.—
INSET—HEFOKE REMODEUNG.
being a genius, finally found the house
which is reproduced herewith at 81 No.
Franklin St., Hempstead. N. Y. and has
put it to good use as a music center.
people can be comfortably seated. Due
to this, teachers in the area often have
recitals of their pupils in this unique
establishment.
Wurlifzer European Manager
Visits North Tonawanda Plant
tion proved so successful that organ
music can now be heard throughout this
tremendous area by thousands of peo-
Walter Pearce, European representa-
tive for The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. has
just completed a three week visit at
North Tonawanda, N. Y. plant.
Mr. Pearce has been associated with
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. for almost
30 years. In Europe, he has traveled
extensively, personally installing some
of the largest pipe organ installations in
the world. He is personally responsible
for the installation of five Wurlitzer
Organs in Vatican City which were used
this Holy Year. Mr. Pearce has
worked closely with Vatican City organ-
ists, choir directors and technicians and
was recently acclaimed for his history-
making Wurlitzer Organ installation in
the Vatican City Radio and Television
Station which, in turn, was piped out
to the huge square and courtyard in
front of the Vatican. This test installa-
24
The basement floor is occupied by a
shop where pianos are repaired and re-
built. The second floor contains the main
office, a private office for Mr. Holmes, 5
studios and a musical instrument de-
partment. Four rooms are leased to the
Ned Mahoney Music Co. with a complete
line of band instruments and accessories.
All types of musical instruments are in-
cluded in the stock carried, as well as
tape and wire recorders, record players
and a large stock of band, orchestra,
choral and instrumental music. There
are 8 artist-teachers who give lessons on
the instruments. Several are members
of very well-known bands and other
organizations connected with the Metro-
politan Opera. NBC staff, etc. and the
students come from all over Long Island.
In the piano division of the company.
W. W. Kimball. Kranich & Bach, Kohler
& Campbell, the Musette and Winter &
Co. instruments are featured. The reno-
vations to this building, which are shown
in the accompanying illustrations, which
reproduce the condition of the house
before and after the alterations, started
on June 19th, 1950. Hempstead is one
of the busiest towns located in central
Long Island, and in the center of a pop-
ulation of approximately one million
people in Nassau County.
of those services since the many thou-
sands of people could not all get into
the Great Basilica itself.
One of his oldest and best friends is
Farny R. Wurlitzer, Chairman of the
Board of Directors, Rudolph Wurlitzer
Co., North Tonawanda, N. Y. He spent
many hours visiting with Mr. Wurlitzer
recalling the many events which took
place during the almost 30 years in
which he has been associated with the
Wurlitzer Company. On many of these
meetings they were joined by Art
F A R M K. WUKLITZEK. BOAKI) CHAIRMAN. Kl'DOLIM1 Wl RI.ITZER CO., WITH
WALTER TEARCE AM) ART Kl'TZEN.
pie who quite often gather in the square
for various religious services and cere-
monies but who have heretofore been
unable to enjoy organ music as a part
Rutzen, General Export Sales Man-
ager. Mr. Pearce's permanent residence
is 16 Av. Emil Demot, Brussels, Bel-
gium.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, JANUARY, 1951