Presto

July 11, 1925
PRESTO
FIRST SEASON OF
CHICKERING SALON
Over One Hundred and Forty-eight Concerts
Given During Initiation Period in Elegant
Auditorium Formally Opened Under
Art Auspices Last October.
NEXT SEASON'S PLANS
Second Season Promises to Be Even More Com-
plete in Important Musical Functions
by Eminent Artists.
Sensing the need in New York City for a small
concert auditorium for informal recitals, the lovely
Chickering Music Salon was included iu the new
Chickering Hall on 57th street, between Sth and 6th
avenues, which was formally opened to the public
last fall. The structure from the exterior appears
to be an office and show-room building of the most
modern type and design, but as one enters the music
Musical Society, International Society for Contem-
porary Music, League of Composers, Dr. Eugene
Noble and the Musicians' Club of New York.
The three initiatory events were conducted by
Chickering & Sons and the programs were given
by Josef Lhevinne, Lenox String Quartet, Dorothy
Moulton, Leo Sowerby, Ruth Rodgers, Hans Kin-
dler. Helen Davis, Victor Young and Vincent Lopez
with his orchestra. The Music Salon was then
thrown open for public recital affairs at a small rental
fee, the hearty response indicating a general appre-
ciation of what Chickering & Sons had done for
musical art in the city of New York through the
institution of an ideal place for intimate performance.
During the first season just closed over one hun-
dred and forty-eight concerts were given. Among
the prominent affairs held during this period were
two recitals of romantic music by Germaine Schnit-
zer; opera lecture by Clarence Gustlin, under the
auspices of the American Federation of Music Clubs;
reception for Lawrence Tibbett; lecture on quarter-
tone music by E. Robert Schmitz and the Franco-
American Music Society; reception to Marguerite
Sylva; recital by Coenraad V. Bos and Penelope
Davies; benefit for French Hospital by Marion Telva
and Raymonde Delannois of the Metropolitan Opera
Company; seven educational concerts on the music
of all nations by Hans Barth; concert by Bruno
AKRON, 0 . MUSIC DEALER
IN OPTIMISTIC MOOD
A. B. Smith, Head of A. B. Smith Piano Co.,
Suggests National Propaganda for Both
Small Grand and Playerpiano.
The A. B. Smith Piano Co., Akron, O., has moved
to its new location and every preparation is being
made for a big season ahead. A. B. Smith, president
of the company, expressed his own optimistic views
in a letter to Presto this week:
''We have moved into our own beautiful new build-
ing and we are getting ready for one of the best
businesses this fall that we ever have had.
"1 am afraid that some of our men in the trade
do not put the old time punch into it. We should
have a national propaganda or both the small grand
and the playerpiano. The dealers and manufacturers
should all contribute to its success."
Mr. Smith is a practical piano man whose views
are well expressed in the methods of his firm. That
many dealers are indifferent to the necessities of spe-
cial promotion for the small grand and the player-
piano was a matter he dwelt upon more than once
during the convention. That the trade should "bunch
its hits" at this time is a requirement of present con-
ditions in business generally in his belief.
TONKBENCH DEALERS ASSURED
OF FIRST=CLASS SERVICE
New Tonk Manufacturing Co.'s Factory in Los
Angeles Well Managed and Equipped.
Ability to ably serve the music trade of the Pacific
Coast, Mexico, Hawaii and as far east as Salt Lake
City, Utah, and El Paso, Tex., is assured by the
preparations of the Tonk Manufacturing Co., Chi-
cago, for the new branch at 4627 East Fiftieth street,
Los Angeles.
C. E. Patterson, manager of the Los Angeles plant,
is experienced in all the phases of manufacturing
benches and cabinets as well as in the methods of
selling them and shipping them satisfactorily. He
was formerly with the M. K. McCreery Co. in Los
Angeles prior to the sale of its plant to the Tonk
interests.
FAREWELL DINNER FOR
HORACE HAYS IN PITTSBURGH
Testimonial Affair Follows His Retirement as Presi-
dent of the E. G. Hays Co.
VIEW OF INTERIOR
salon through heavy portieres it is easy to be trans-
ported back hundreds of years to the days of the
French Louis. The only disillusionment is the mod-
ern dress.
Purpose of Plan.
The design is in keeping with the purpose and plan.
Simple elegance prevails. One feels at home and
one feels at ease. The room itself accommodates
only 150 to 200 guests, but each is made supremely
comfortable in an upholstered armchair of Louis
XIV type. Crystal chandeliers shed a soft, diffused
light. The feet tread softly upon heavy carpets. The
walls are decorated in delicate tints. Rose draperies
grace the doorways. There are no windows. The
small platform, two steps above the main floor, is
enclosed on three sides. A handsome and valuable
tapestry covers the rear wall. The door on the right
leads to the artist's room and one on the left to
the office of the concert director. Two painted
panels, at either side of the stage, add a glowing
touch of color. From the west side of the hall a
flight of stone steps leads below to the Spanish recep-
tion room where post-recital gatherings are held.
The tiled floors and ornate architectural features lend
a special charm to the place. Details are carried out
with admirable completeness—such as hinges for
doors in designs of treble and bass cleffs and forte
sign as a door handle. All this artistic abundance
means that Chickering & Sons has provided a cor-
rectly fashioned hall for the most exquisite intimate
musical functions.
A Notable Year.
The Chickering Music Salon was formally opened
last October under the auspices of a committee of
the following musical organizations:
American
Music Guild, City Music League, Franco-American
OF MUSIC SALON.
Huhn and Suzanne Zimmerman; recitals for child
students by John Martin; five recitals by Dai Buell
with interpretative remarks; concert by George, Es-
telle and Leonard Liebling; recital by Paulo Gruppe,
etc.
Next season promises to be even fuller and more
complete with many important functions already
scheduled by artists of eminence and the Chickering
Music Salon has already found its place among the
concert halls of New York City. Its great success
during the first season has been a source of grati-
fication not only to its builders but to the artists,
musical organizations and critics who have been so
enthusiastic in its support.
CLOSING OUT IN HARTFORD, CONN.
Sedgwick & Casey, 139 Asylum street, Hartford,
Conn., is conducting a clearance sale preparatory to
retiring from business. The house is one of the
oldest in the music business in the state. Since the
death of J. O. Casey in 1918 the business has been
conducted by Frank A. Sedgwick. Mr. Sedgwick
stated that he had made no plans for the future, but
had decided to give up business and would remain
at the storel until all the stock was disposed of.
FEATURES DUO-ART.
In featuring the Duo-Art in Terre Haute, Ind.,
newspapers, Paige's, 642 Wabash avenue, says:
' T h e Duo-Art reproducing piano. Three com-
plete instruments in one. A piano of unequalled
quality for hand-playing, a Pianola permitting per-
sonal expression in the music, a reproducing piano
offering you the privilege of hearing the world's
greatest pianists in your own home."
Horace Hays, president of the E. G. Hays Co.,
Pittsburgh, Pa., distributor of the Lester piano, was
tendered a testimonial banquet by his sales and office
staff at the Seventh Avenue Hotel. The event was
a farewell gathering following an announcement by
Mr. Hays of his intention of making his permanent
home in Miami, Fla.
Mr. Hays, in a brief talk, stated, however, that,
while he was retiring from active participation in the
affairs of the company, he would not forget Pittsburgh
and his friends and would often arrange to make a
trip back to renew his friendships. By the retire-
ment of Mr. Hays, Charles H. Wilt, for many years
associated with the company first as a salesman then
as sales manager, now becomes president. The other
officers of the company are E. G. Hays, treasurer,
and M. E. Goodman, secretary. The business is
located in the Lando Building, 907 Penn avenue,
where the Lester and Leonard pianos and Brunswick
phonographs are carried.
MORE SPACE FOR MUSIC.
The Tacoma, Wash., warerooms of Sherman, Clay
& Co., now occupy three floors at 928 Broadway.
The sheet music department has been moved from
the side to the center of the main floor, and demon-
stration rooms for trying-over sheet music and radio
now occupy the space left vacant. On the second
floor, the reproducing piano room and the other
piano rooms have been restored and executive offi-
cers and piano repair shop, located on the third floor,
have been repapered and painted.
EFFECTIVE WINDOW DISPLAYS.
The Aeolian Company's representatives, the Mas-
sey Piano Company of Des Moines, Iowa, believe in
the importance of effective window decoration. Their
recent window featuring the Duo-Art was a prize
winner at the Piano Trades Convention. This win-
dow attracted a great deal of attention and aroused
interest that resulted in many Duo-Art sales. Show
cards of Duo Art pianists shown against an attrac-
tive background completed the display.
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