October 10, 1925.
25
PRESTO
SHEET MUSIC AND RADIO
SHEET MUSIC PROBLEMS
They Are Getting Fewer as Years Pass, But
a Few Still Linger to Pester the
Dealer.
The question of net prices being practically settled
the curtailment of publications surely is being accom-
plished, and the invasion of the dealer's territory by
the publisher seems to be less irritating to the dealer.
The existence of old lists with prices cause a little
trouble but in time the observance of net price will
not have anything to disturb it. But while the pub-
lications are fewer in number than they were some
years ago, they are still too numerous.
About four or five years ago there was a loud pro-
test from sheet music dealers about the showers of
new publications. And even the publishers found
they were not getting the results that they should on
the large number of publications sent out yearly.
Things are better today, but not improved to the
satisfaction of a great number of people in the sheet
music trade.
"Only a small percentage of new music gets the
opportunity for sale that the music should have," was
the statement of an experienced sheet music man this
week. "I believe if the production of all classes of
sheet music were cut down it would mean less hard-
ship on the dealers. Fewer publications would cer-
tainly mean a better quality, which result in an
increase in interest on the part of the real music
loving public."
"One reason for the multiplicity of sheet music
publications is that many of the composers have be-
come imbued with the spirit of commercialism, which
is a right thing in a wrong place. There is an assur-
ance of mediocrity when an artist turns business man
and thinks in dollars and cents instead of in har-
monies. We know the artists have set down to the
regular grind of trash when we see their names to
too many things in the monthly bulletins.
"I believe were the publishers to concentrate on a
few rather than on a mass of new publications, the
fewer number would be of a better class and their
aggregate sales would be larger than on the greater
number published, as the case is at present."
MUSIC CONTEST FOR STUDENTS
Carl J. Simonis Organizes Composition Event for
Student Composers and Offers Three Prizes.
Carl J- Simonis, who has fostered the apprecia-
tion and understanding of music among the schools
of this country, particularly in the East, through
performances by his symphony orchestra, has under-
taken, with the assistance of the New York Music
Bureau, to conduct a contest, open to students in the
colleges, normal schools and high schools of the
country, for the best original musical composition.
Co-operating with Mr. Simonis in his undertaking
is the world-famous music publishing house of Peters
Manufacturers of
RADIO
Tables
Cabinets
Consoles
Elgin Phonograph & Novelty Co.
Elgin, 111.
Edition which this year celebrates its one hundred
twenty-fifth anniversary. The publishers through
their American representative, Harry M. Hinrichsen,
have offered three prizes—the Peters silver cup; a
library of compositions from the Masters (Peters
Edition); and a complete collection of the sonatas of
Beethoven and Mozart (piano or violin, Peters edi-
tion).
Dr. Sigmund Spaeth, the distinguished musical
authority, will head the committee of judges which
will include some of the most prominent musicians
and critics in the United States.
PIANO FIRMS AT RADIO SHOW
Indianapolis Music Houses Report Profitable Returns
From Exhibit at Recent Event.
That radios as an adjunct to a piano house prove
profitable was clearly demonstrated at the radio show
held in Indianapolis the week of September 21, at
which two Indianapolis piano houses had displays
which won the admiration of those who attended.
Hundreds of prospects were secured by the piano
firms.
One of the most elaborate displays at the exposi-
tion was that of the Indianapolis Music House.
W. M. Jackson was in charge of the exhibit, which
was given a homelike appearance by rugs, furniture
and flowers. Freshman Masterpiece, the Adler Royal,
the Neutrowound, the Globe and Day Fan sets were
on display. The Burns and Bremmerman loud
speakers were shown.
The Baldwin Piano Company displayed the Bruns-
wick radio set. The combination sets are inclosed in
console cabinets of desk and phonograph design, with
invisible batteries and antenna.
Officials of these two piano houses believe piano
merchants over the country are overlooking a bet in
not installing radio departments. They say the de-
partments do not conflict in any way with piano sales
and can be made paying departments with a little
attention and salesmanship.
A MODEL DENVER SECTION
New Sheet Music Department in Remodeled Store
of Denver Music Company Is Ably Managed.
The size and arrangement of the sheet music de-
partment in the new store of the Denver Music Co.,
Denver, Colo., are evidences of the progressiveness
of the company. The additional store building re-
cently made part of the active music house, gave an
opportunity to the management to provide the sheet
music department with more floor space.
In the improved music section the most modern
means for stocking and displaying sheet music and
music books have been adopted. Tasteful mahogany
counters and cabinets suffice for attending to custom-
ers' wants and the unsightly ladders on which the
sales women heretofore took unwilling exercise, are
no longer in use.
Four library editions are carried and one cabinet
is devoted to the operas. The wants of a high class
trade are well attended to by the manager, Miss
Frost, and her able force of helpers.
RADIO WINDOW CONTEST.
The window trimming contest, held in connection
with the second annual northwest radio show held
last week at the auditorium in St. Paul, Minn.,
came to a close Thursday night, when judges selected
the winning window from more than twenty-five
entered by Minneapolis and St. Paul dealers. The
judges for the contest were F. J. Anderson, editor
of the Radio Record; H. H. Cory, chairman of the
show committee, and Ray Ullom, St. Paul. The
winning' exhibit was displayed at the show.
SHEET MUSIC TRADE NOTES
A Few Items Interesting to People in Sheet Music
Department Are Printed.
Sheet music department managers in Denver, Colo.,
are noting a revival for popular songs of a decade
ago. A revival of the songs on radio, and in some
cases, on the stage.
A sheet music department under the management
of Ben Marti has been opened in the Schmucker &
Burk drug store. Minneapolis, Minn.
Irving Sklare, manager of the Remick Song & Gift
Shop, Portland, Ore , now on a business trip through
Washington, reports big sales of Remick's "Oh, Say
Can I See You Tonight," "By the Light of the Stars,"
and "Sweet Georgia Brown." Mr. Sklare's trip will
extend through British Columbia and he will return
by way of Montana and Utah.
"Dixie," which became the battle song of the Con-
federacy, was composed by Dan C. Emmett in 1859
for a walk 'round or closing march of a minstrel
troupe playing in Mechanics' Hall New York.
May Breen, the composer, is now conducting a
ukulele course of instruction over the radio.
The Italian government announces the introduc-
tion of a measure providing for a national radio in-
stitute which will control the broadcasting of songs
and other forms of music.
The spread of the school band spirit has given
impetus to the sale of books of instruction in various
instruments.
"By the Light of the Stars," a Remick hit, is one
of the best sellers in the Gulbransen-Brunswick
Music store, Rockford, 111., according to Miss Lillian
Larsen, manager.
Irving Sklare, manager of the Remick Song and
Gift Shop, Portland, Ore., is now on a business trip
which will cover the wide territory in which he repre-
sents the Remick catalog.
PLAN AHEAD FOR CONVENTION.
Twenty members of the Boston Music Publishers'
Association attended the first luncheon of the season
at the Hotel Westminster when several topics of in-
terest to the trade were discussed. F. E. Burgstaller,
president of the association, presented tentative plans
for the convention of music publishers to be held in
Boston in 1927. "It seems a long way off, but there's
nothing like an early start," was the president's view.
To Piano Makers
and Dealers/
For best advertising Song Books for Grand
Openings, Special Occasions, Holidays, Quanti-
ties for Country Schools, Societies, etc., write
to the Illinois State Register, Dept. P, Spring-
field, Illinois.
REMICK SONG HITS
By the Light of the Stars
Sometime
Got No Time
Oh Say Can I See You Tonight
Sweet Georgia Brown
Swanee Butterfly
Old Pal
Don't Bring Lulu
We're Back Together Again
If I Had a Girl Like You
Everyone Home Is Asking for You
I'm Going to Charleston, Back to
Charleston
When Eyes of Blue Are Fooling You
Isn't She the Sweetest Thing
J. H. REMICK & CO.
New York
Chicago
Detroit
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