Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1924 1982

PRESTO
SCHOOL PLAN AIDS PIANO SALES
The Miessner Piano Company, Milwaukee, Wis.,
under the leadership of its president, W. Otto Miess-
ner, widely known in public school music circles, has
prepared and put into practice an excellent plan for
stimulating piano sales. The plan for free piano les-
sons is already being pushed by the dealers listed
below, who are authorized representatives for the
famous "Little Piano with the Big Tone":
Denver, Colo., The Knight-Campbell Music Co.;
Detroit, Mich., Grinnell Bros. Music House; Grand
Rapids, Mich., Grinnell Bros. Music House; Indian-
apolis, Ind., Pearson Piano Co.; Joplin, Mo., The J.
W. Jenkins Sons' Music Co.; Kansas City, Mo., The
J. W. Jenkins Sons' Music Co.; Ogden, Utah, The
music business. 'He profits most who serves best.' "
Free piano lessons, conducted along the line of the
Miessner Piano Company's plan, will put child-pian-
ists into hundreds of homes. Mr. Miessner is emi-
nently fitted to organize such a plan with an assur-
ance of artistic and educational success. For years
he has been teaching music to children, training
teachers of music, and composing music for their use.
Children in every part of the United States are
familiar with his songs and piano pieces.
The Melody Way.
Especially designed for these free piano classes, Mr.
Miessner has recently completed "The Melody Way
July 19, 1924.
ALFR E D L SMITH ATTENDS
T TRADE
R
MEETING IN CHICAGO
General Manager Also Scheduled to Deliver Lecture
to Trade Executives School.
Alfred L. Smith, general manager of the Music
Industries Chamber of Commerce, is at present in
Chicago on business for the association. One of the
important matters which will have his attention will
be a conference with members of the National Asso-
ciation of Musical Instrument and Accessories Manu-
facturers in regard to its organization and plans for
activity. The new association contemplates becoming
a Division Member of fhe Chamber in the near fu-
ture.
Mr. Smith will attend a meeting of the Band In-
strument Manufacturers' Association with the Fed-
eral Trade Commission, at which the question of the
granting of secret subsidies to musicians for adver-
tising purposes will be under consideration.
Mr. Smith will also make a short trip to Evanston,
111., for the purpose of delivering a lecture on the
"History of Trade Associations" at the session of the
National School for Commercial and Trade Execu-
tives which is being held at Northwestern University.
CHAS. M. BENT IMPROVES.
Chas. M. Bent, of the Bent Music Shop, Chicago,
who recently underwent a serious surgical operation,
is rapidly recovering and hopes to be out again be-
fore long. Meantime his father, Geo. P. Bent, has
returned to California and will attend the Western
Music Trade Convention in San Francisco next week.
The latter attended the Rice dinner, at Des Plaines,
on Thursday.
"MKI.ODY WAY," MIESSNER INSTITUTE, MILWAUKEE.
On the extreme right is W. Otto Miessner, composer of "The Melody Way to Play the Piano" and president of
the Miessner Piano C6.; C. W. Urowne, vice-president of t he Miessner Piano Co., is fourth from the right, standing-.
to Play the Piano," a beautiful collection of exquisite
and interesting piano pieces that children will delight
in.
Teachers to conduct this work have been trained
at the Miessner Institute of Class Piano Instruction,
held in Milwaukee June 9 to June 20. Demonstra-
tion classes of children were conducted, and the
teachers, all of whom were normal school or con-
servatory graduates in music, many of them with
several years of experience in teaching music, were
given the special training to fit them for this work.
Mr. Miessner's object was to prepare these teachers
to "get results/' and as a matter of fact the children
who take this class work can go home after their
third or fourth lessons and announce triumphantly,
"Daddy! I can play the piano!"
One phase of the Miessner Institute work, of
prime importance to music dealers, was the training
given to fit them to co-operate with the salesmen in
music houses. This was presented by C. W.
Browne, vice-president of the Miessner Piano Com-
pany, w r hose retail experience was an excellent prep-
aration for the purpose.
For Music in the Home.
One teacher can handle as many as four or five
"The time is ripe," says Mr. Miessner, "for us of hundred pupils one lesson per week, or two hundred
the piano industry to put into practical everyday use and fifty to three hundred pupils receiving two les-
the ideal 'Music in Every Home.' By doing so, we sons per week. The enrollment fees and the profits
will be doing a wonderful service for our nation and on the sale of the "Melody Way" materials help to
for every community and making a profit for the pay teachers' salaries and advertising expense.
Glen Bros.-Roberts Piano Co.; Omaha, Neb., The
Oakford Music Co.; Roanoke, Va., Hobbie Brothers
Co.; San Francisco, Cal., Kohler & Chase; Toledo,
Ohio, Grinnell Bros. Music House.
What Plan Provides.
The plan provides for free piano lessons for chil-
dren between the ages of eight and fourteen who
have not had piano lessons before. A small enroll-
ment fee of $1.00 is charged, "as evidence of serious
purpose," and the child pays $1.00 for music and
materials. The advertising announces that pupils in
these classes do not need a piano at home. Some
dealers are even restricting the enrollments to those
with no pianos at home.
The plan as formulated by Mr. Miessner is based
on the theory that the dealer who is instrumental in
developing a child-pianist in every home will be able
to sell pianos in many homes where there is no use
for them now. Only about half the homes in the
average community have pianos. Actual surveys show
that to be a fact. The other half don't buy for vari-
ous reasons.
xlubs support it loyally because the plan is public
"spirited in that it provides a cultural development for
children who might otherwise never receive musical
training. Indeed, the dealer who, by this method,
gives away something decidedly worth while is cer-
tain to receive the whole-hearted co-operation of
every element in the community.
There is no doubt that the Miessner Piano Com-
pany has originated a plan that will sell pianos for
their dealers. As Mr. Browne has written them,
"We do not- expect you to sell all Miessner pianos
through' this plan; of course, we'd rather you would,
but if your men find that certain homes call for
grands or big uprights or reproducing pianos, by all
means sell them what they ought to have. We'll rely
on your fairness to give us our share of the business
this plan wilt produce.. We only expect you to sell
Micssners where they ought to go."
The Best Yet
Graceful lines, rugged construc-
tion, moderately priced. It's the
very best commercial piano from
every standpoint.
Mr. Miessner Supervises.
KREITER
Pianos and Players
Have No Competition Where
Beauty of Cases and Tone
Sustain Profit Making Prices.
Everything the Highest but
the Price.
Inspect them Carefully and Sec.
Kreiter Mfg. Co., Inc.
320-322 W. Water St., Milwaukee, Wis.
Factory t Marinotte, Wi*.
These classes are under the supervision of Mr.
Miessner, through reports from the teachers and
through personal visits, thus an assurance of the
educational success is provided. Mr. Browne has
been operating what might be termed as "consulta-
tion service" for dealers on the commercial and pub-
licity features of the work, by mail, telegraph, and
personal visits.
Enthusiastic reports come in from the various cen-
ters where these free piano lessons are being given.
The educational authorities endorse the plan, because
they are familiar with the name Miessner in public
school music. The private teachers of piano are
usually enthusiastic about the work, because they
realize that as a result there will be a great many
pupils available for them that otherwise could not be
secured. Many prominent private teachers have pub-
licly endorsed the classes and congratulated dealers
on the movement. Some private teachers have even
turned beginning pupils over to the dealer schools for
elementary work.
In many towns the newspapers have given "free
publicity" to the plan in the way of news stories,
because of the "news value" in the scheme. Women's
Style 32—4 ft. 4 in.
WESER
Pianos and Players
Sell Readily—Stay Sold
Send to-day for catalogue, prices and
details of our liberal financing plan
Weser Bros., Inc.
520 to 528 W. 43rd St., New York
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
P R E S T O
July 19, 1924.
CHRISTMAN
"The First Touch Tells
9 9
The Famous
Studio Grand
(only 5 ft. long)
John Barrymore,
America's Foremost Actor,
Says in a Recent Letter:
"The best wishes for the success of
the CHRISTMAN PIANO. M r s .
Barrymore and I are delighted with it.
I want to express my thanks and ap-
preciation of the way in which my
ideas regarding the finish and design
were carried out."
The
CHRISTMAN
Reproducing Grand
is admittedly the most responsive and
satisfactory instrument in the repro-
duction of the performances of the
great pianists. In the words of a
prominent critic,
"IT IS PERFECT"
No ambitious Piano Merchant can
be sure that he has the best, most
profitable and satisfactory Line until
he has examined the Christman and
compared with whatever competitor
may be winning local trade.
INQUIRIES INVITED *~
"The First Touch Tells"
Reg. U S. Pat. Off.
Christman Piano Co.
597 Ea«t 137th St.
New York
STORY & CLARK CO.
FEATURES RECITALS
Invitation Musicales in New York Headquar-
ters Occasions of Great Advertising Value
for Grands and Repro-Phraso.
During the month of May a number of Invitation
Musicales were held at the new Story & Clark head-
quarters, 33 West Fifty-seventh street, New York
City. The third floor of the new six-story building
has been turned into a Concert Salon which, it
already appears, will be in great demand next sea-
son.
The four programs which were successfully given
featured: Maude Doolittle, pianist; Beatrice Mac-
Cue, contralto; Mozell Bennett, violinist; Regenia
Schiller, pianist; Emily Wentz, contralto; Julie
Roche, soprano; Max Kortlander and Victor Arden,
Q R S pianists; Wesley Sontag, violinist, Charles
Krane, violin 'cello, and Harold Lewis, piano, The
Mozart Trio.
The concert management promises many new sur-
prises for next season in the way of afternoon Invi-
tation Musicales weekly at the Concert Salon, bring-
ing forth unknown and also well known artists.
Indorsements of the Story & Clark Grand have
been obtained from many of the leading artists of the
concert world while daily visitors at the New York
Salon voice their praises of the Story & Clark in-
struments.
Since the Musicales were first made a permanent
part of the Story & Clark organization, requests have
been made by several artists for use of grand pianos
for concert tours. Many of the prominent artists, a
great many of whom are well known on the concert
stage who have visited the Story & Clark ware-
rooms, have not only expressed their appreciation of
the Story & Clark Grand, but of the new personal
Reproducing Playerpiano, the Repro-Phraso. The
possibilities of this playerpiano have so amazed many
of these artists, that their general opposition to
playerpianos has been overcome. The success of the
Repro-Phraso has been so phenomenal that the Story
& Clark Piano Company are arranging for demon-
strations of this instrument at some of their coming
Invitation Musicales.
ST. LOUIS FIRM FOUND
JUNE GREAT SALES MONTH
Phil Lehman, President of Lehman Piano Company,
Visiting Chicago, Makes Gratifying Report.
of United stores throughout New England. The
manager is Frank Goodwin.
Seth Laraway, piano dealer on Willamette street,
Eugene, Ore., plans to erect a two-story building in
Eugene.
Harry Judkins recently succeeded the Daniels Jew-
elry Store in Glenrick, Wyo., and will handle musical
instruments and jewelry.
The school band of Hartland, Wis., which was in-
structed and directed by Oscar Kluck, head of the
Kesselman-O'Driscoll band school, won third place
in the contest of the Wisconsin Boys' Band Associa-
tion held at Lake Geneva, Wis.
STARR SMALL APARTMENT
PIANO IS TRADE WINNER
Increasing Number of Small Apartments Necessitated
Smaller Piano and Starr Is Demanded.
Tn view of the increasing need for the small piano
the Starr Piano Co., Richmond, Ind., has perfected
a small instrument known as the Starr Apartment
Model piano which has been meeting with much suc-
cess wherever shown. The latest creation of the
Starr Piano Company came as a result of the many
requests for smaller pianos by the many who admire
the fine instruments of the Richmond Company.
In the apartment model is embodied the same pre-
ciseness of construction and tonal quality that are
pre-eminent in the Starr instruments. It meets the
requirements of the small piano admirably in the
fact that it may be moved with very little effort and
its size permits it to be placed conveniently in any
room in the home.
The large and well equipped factory at Richmond
is turning out a good number of the apartment model
pianos daily and Starr representatives throughout
the country have found a particularly good trade for
them.
TRADE IN PORTLAND.
The G. F. Johnson Piano Company, Portland, Ore.,
has completed the installation of a radio department.
Daily concerts are given and the public is invited to
come in and '"listen in" and many avail themselves
of the invitation. The firm is the Pacific northwest
distributor of the Cheney and the new radio equipped
Cheney is well received by the public, according to
Mr. Johnson. The new department carries the Fed-
eral, with which the Cheney is equipped, and the
Zenith radio sets. The department is in charge of
W. C. Brown, formerly of the Hallock & Watson
broadcasters, and he is an expert radio man.
POPULARITY OF AMERICAN OAK.
Phil Lehman, progressive piano dealer of St. Louis,
Mo., and wife were visitors to the Chicago trade last
week. Mr. Lehman had many things to tell to his
Chicago friends, but the most important was the
trade conditions in the Missouri city and particularly
the trade of his own establishment, which is one of
the finest in the Mississippi valley.
Mr. Lehman described the activities of his store as
being of the liveliest sort and reported that June was
the best month in volume of sales in the history of
its business, except one month of December, when all
sales records were shattered.
Mr. Lehman was elated over the results of his
sales methods. Consistent advertising has served as
a reminder to the public and has been instrumental
in drawing prospects to the fine warerooms. Sales
campaigns conducted intelligently and appropriately
are characteristic of the progressive firm and the
business methods practiced are of the highest order.
On such a foundation the company has made its
rapid growth.
American oak was before the war considered in
Western Europe as a very suitable wood for ordi-
nary furniture, interior finish, etc., in cases where the
consumers desired a somewhat cheaper article than
the high-grade oak from the former Austro-Hun-
garian empire. The bulk of the shipments from the
United States consisted of Southern oak or oak of
similar quality. The wood was well liked because
it could be worked with a minimum of waste, being
practically square-edged, whereas the European oak
was usually sold in unedged boards.
NEWS ABOUT THE MEN
WHO RETAIL THE PIANOS
A new music store has been opened in Greensburg,
Pa., corner Main and Otterman streets, recently, by
the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. At the opening the first
day special musical programs were given before audi-
ences of 4,000 appreciative musical folk. A band of
several pieces was engaged for the occasion.
Brief Items of Trade News Gathered Here and
There in Music Field.
J. W. Crider, of Los Gatos, Cal., has added a piano
department to his business.
The Hauschildt Music Co. will open a new store
at Manteca, Cal., this week.
G. W. French & Son, Inc., moved this week from
303 West Main street to 324 West Main street, Ionia,
Mich.
Larger quarters for his business have been obtained
by Albert Harris, piano dealer of Trenton, N. J., at
1947 South Broad street.
Royce Chalmers is the proprietor of the Miami
Music Co., in the Halcyon Arcade, Miami, Fla., for-
merly owned by John L. Characci.
The United Music Co. recently opened a new store
at Rockland, Mass. This is the seventh in the chain
FEATURING THE LESTER.
Special features in presenting the Lester piano
have been adopted by Lang Bros., 439 Michigan
street, South Bend, Ind., which company has given
charge of Lester sales to C. H. Crothers, Jr., for-
merly connected with the Brunswick Shop at Trav-
erse City, Mich., and with the Grinnell Bros. Music
House of Detroit, Mich.
NEW GREENSBURG STORE,
BUSY IN WEST ALLIS, WIS.
The West Allis Saxophone Shop, West Allis, Wis.,
under the management of the director of the West
Allis Civic Band, Joseph Paulisch, is doing a lively
business in musical merchandise. Mr. Paulisch han-
dles a full line of all musical instruments besides
saxophones.
EXPANDS IN ALTON, ILL.
Kieselhorst's Music House, Alton, 111., now occu-
pies its ne wbuilding at 206 West Third street. The
piano department embraces a great line of pianos,
players and Q R S music rolls. It is probable that
a sheet music and musical merchandise department
will be put in.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/

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