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one often develops into a new piano
sale.
In recent years aggressive leaders in
the tuning profession have accomplished
much in improving the position of the
profession, as it relates to the piano
industry.
Through the American Society of
Piano Technicians much has been ac-
complished. Constructive suggestions,
helpful demonstrations on how to get
at and correct technical piano troubles
are benefiting all the members who at-
tend the meetings.
Schools for beginners are interesting
the younger generation in entering the
tuning profession.
Some of us manufacturers' have sup-
plied drawings, action parts and even
complete pianos, in our efforts to pro-
mote more interest in getting people to
learn piano tuning as a profession.
Yes. gentlemen, the tuning profession
is of vital importance to the piano in-
dustry. We who make and sell pianos
and those of us who service them—by
cooperating closely—one with the other
—can do much to improve our respec-
tive positions and materially benefit our-
selves.
Mr. & Mrs. Bannon Recovering
From Serious Automobile Accident
Mr. and Mrs. Ray Bannon, owners of
Bannon's Music Shop, at Kewanee and
La Salle, 111., who were recently badl\
hurt in an automobile accident, are now
around again.
According to Mr. Banner while on
the way to the store in La Salle, a stran-
ger driving a car skidded directly into
their path.
Mrs. Bannon was taken to a Chicago
Hospital, severely cut and with a broken
arm, knee and foot.
Mr. Bannon was confined to the Ot-
tawa, 111., hospital for two weeks with
cuts, chest injuries, two bad knees, and
one leg in a cast. Their new Packard
now has a value of $100.00.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Bannon are home
now in Morris, 111. Although Mrs. Ban-
non is still confined to her bed she is
recovering very nicely. The cast has
been removed from Mr. Bannon's leg
and he is now able to get about with the
help of a cane.
Another Wurlitzer School Piano
McKinnon Music Co., Inc., Pensacola,
Fla., recently sold a Wurlitzer school
piano (Model 901) to the Niceville High
School of Niceville, Fla.
432 Contestants Have Appeared Before
3000 on Schmoller & Mueller Show
"Stepping Stones to Stardom," Oma-
ha's popular young amateur musicians
program, continues for another series
The show has been successful largely
because of the calibre of people selected
to judge. Only competent music instruc-
1ST ROW, L TO R: E. W. BANSE. SR.. SCHMOLLER & MUELLER; WILLIAM SCHMOLLER II,
SCHMOLLER & MUELLER; L. I'. BULL, PRESIDENT. STORY & (LARK PIANO CO.. CHICAGO,
WILLIAM METZ, SCHMOLLER & 31UELLEK.
2ND ROW, L TO R: BILL TALBOT, KOIL; EDWARD MAY, JR., SCHMOLLER & MUELLER;
MARGARET CROGIIAN; KOIL, AND BYRON HEAD, KOIL.
under the sponsorship of the Schmoller
and Mueller Piano Company. The show
which went on the air for the first time
in April of 1949 was built on a format
suggested by William Schmoller II,
president of the company.
Since April of 1949 more than 432
contestants have appeared on the pro-
gram. Each week from the six partici-
pants a winner is selected and presented
with a table model radio. The weekly
winner is then eligible to compete with
five other weekly winners at the end of
the sixth week for the "Stepping Stone
Award," a radio-phonograph combina-
tion. The winner of the "Stepping Stone
Award" as one of the six finalists is
eligible to compete for the grand prize,
a Story & Clark grand. Each Saturday
morning at 11:30 the show originates
from the second floor studios of the
Schmoller & Mueller Piano Co. It is con-
servatively estimated that during the last
series (43 weeks) more than 3000 people
have visited the store to see the show.
The studio audience participates in the
show, too, by selecting an applause meter
winner who is awarded two record al-
bums. The other contestants each receive
a record album for appearing on the
show. All contestants receive a bronze
"Stepping Stones to Stardom" pin.
Youngsters have come from a hun-
dred mile radius of Omaha and two from
over 500 miles. One 17-year-old contes-
tant, son of a Western Nebraska rancher.
Hew his own plane from Cozad to Omaha
to appear on the show.
tors are chosen. Each week three judges,
usually representing the type of talent
appearing on the show, hand down their
decision.
During the first series (43 weeks each)
of "Stepping Stones" a total of 258 music
teachers and musicians have judged the
show.
An important feature of the show is
the salute to the music departments in
the local elementary schools, high
schools, and universities. The salute is
built around a short biographical sketch
of the personnel. In addition, a musk
calendar for the week announces out
standing music events in the schools as
well as promoting other civic events such
as the Omaha Symphony performances.
W. W. Kimball Musician's Award
Won By R. L. Adams, California
A California composer has won the
W. W. Kimball Prize Award of $100 for
which musicians of North America have
been competing annually for 14 years.
He is R. Lloyd Adams, an organist-
pianist of Pomona.
Winning over 103 other entrants from
all parts of the United States and Cana-
da, Mr. Adams composed the best set-
ting for the poem, "In June," by Helen
Field Watson. Announcement of the
award was made recently by the Chi-
cago Singing Teachers Guild, which
sponsors the contest.
At present he is organist at Trinity
Methodist Church in Pomona.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, MARCH, 1951