Presto

MUSICAL
TIMES
PRESTO
Established
1884
Established
1881
THE AMERICAN MUSIC TRADE JOURNAL
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CHICAGO, ILL., APRIL, 1931
REGULAR NATIONAL CONVENTIONS OF THE
MUSIC INDUSTRIES AND TRADES AND
ANNUAL BANQUET TO BE HELD AT
THE PALMER HOUSE, CHICAGO
Convention Dates June 8, 9 and 10—The Banquet to Be Given the
Night of June 9
The governing committee entrusted with fixing the
dates and making other arrangements, including the
selection of a hotel, for the coming June convention^
of the music trades made some radical changes in
both respects at the recent committee and board
meeting in New York. The place fixed upon is the
Palmer House, Chicago; the time-was cut down from
the original plan of four days to three days, namely
June 8, 9 and 10.
This change was made largely to work in accord
with the radio convention which has chosen those
same days for its period at the Stevens Hotel, Chi-
cago. The change by the piano and other music trade
men to the Palmer House was made chiefly in com-
pliance to a request of the Radio Manufacturers As-
sociation, all given in a kindly spirit, that neither con-
vention could have justice if both conventions were
held at the same hotel at the same time—everybody
would be too crowded and too busy to get proper
attention. Besides, the Stevens, in fairness to the
radio men, would be obliged to charge the same
square foot space rates for piano and allied interests
display as for radio, which might not be satisfactory
to the piano men.
The radio men do not give a big banquet of their
own, and as the National Association of Music Mer-
chants will give a big one, many radio people are
expected to attend it as guests, which is another
advantage not to be overlooked.
Some of the committee wanted to hold the big-
meeting of the national organizations a week earlier
or later than the radio convention, but the dates men-
tioned were finally fixed upon and there is bound to
be a considerable commingling of radio and music
trade men in both conventions, as their work and
worries—and in many instances their customers—are
practically identical.
And so the thirteenth annual convention is to be
held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 8,
9 and 10. This important gathering will include noi
only the merchants' group but also the various other
associations affiliated with the Music Industries
Chamber of Commerce, and all to be held at the
Palmer House in Chicago.
Good Reasons for the Change
The reason for this change was because it was
believed that a considerable number of merchants
might desire to be in Chicago at the time of the annual
radio trade show and convention which will take place
during the week beginning June 8, headquarters being
at the Hotel Stevens, Chicago.
The Radio Manufacturers Association will also have
complete accommodations available at the Blackstone,
Congress and Auditorium hotels. The Palmer House
is advantageously located, only a short distance from
these hotels and is one of the most beautiful and one
of the largest hotels in the Middle West, admirably
equipped to handle the music industries convention.
President Otto B. Heaton of fne Merchants As-
sociation, who attended both the chamber directors'
meetings in New York and the convention committee
meetings in Chicago in company with Executive Sec-
retary Loomis, strongly favored shortening the conven-
tion this year to three days instead of four, and this is
the arrangement which has been made, as it was
heartily concurred in by the other groups affiliated
with the Chamber of Commerce.
President Heaton is also very much interested in
the open forum idea for at least one of the merchants'
meetings, and he and Mr. Loomis have prepared a
list of topics for forum discussions. Leaders will be
from among the prominent members of the associa-
tion.
An important feature of the coming convention will
be the annual banquet, to be held Tuesday evening,
June 9, in the magnificent grand ballroom of the
Palmer House. In view of the fact that there will be
no formal banquet in connection; -with the radio trade
show and convention this year, the merchants'
banquet will be not only largely attended, but will
surpass in interest any previous affair of the kind.
DEALERS ADVERTISE FAVORING
AND URGING THE GIVING OF
PIANO LESSONS TO ALL
A dominant tone in much of the advertising done
these days by music stores throughout the entire
nation is that which speaks urgent words in favor of
the extension of musical culture by means of teaching
piano lessons, and particularly in public schools of
the country.
Nearly every piano dealer in the land seems to have
lined up in this universal cause for the betterment
of the children and to divert the young and suscepti-
ble away from the down-dragging influences of the
"gang" and of gin orgies and the loss of morale.
Already many communities have noticed among their
young folks new pep and a new step—a disposition
to look forward to life with joy and pride, look the
whole world in the face and treat their elders not as
fossils or barnacles but with the respect that is their
due.
The belief prevails that music is doing this
and that the piano is taking the stead of inaninities
and lifting many young people out of pure silliness.
Many of the dealers are offering the use of piano
salons free for lessons, which in most instances are
also free, and the pupils are allowed to choose their
own music teachers to instruct them. Clubs, schools,
churches in many communities are turned over to
class piano and other musical instruction.
Muskogee, Okla.
The advantages that children deserve are presented
by the Kroh Music Co., Muskogee, Okla., in the fol-
lowing language: "For 23 years Kroh Music Co.
has sold only quality pianos, standard instruments of
known quality and value. You will realize that now
is the time to purchase the piano which the advantages
of your children and the home furnishings demand."
Richmond, Va.
The Corley Co., 214 East Grace street, Richmond,
Va., touches eloquently on this subject—the whole-
someness of music for the young when it says:
"How important today to teach children to play—
and store up for them all the wholesome pleasures
that only music can give. Lessons cost no more than
most children spend on movies. And good pianos
may be had at Corley's to fit any budget, on terms
as low as 10 per cent cash, the balance over three
years."
San Antonio, Tex.
The San Antonio Music Co., 316 West Commerce
street, San Antonio, Tex., says: "Enroll now! Free
piano lessons. New class beginning tomorrow. No
piano needed—no costs. Only a small charge for
material needed. Personal charge of Miss Magdalene
Manchak of Bush Conservatory, Chicago—here espe-
cially to conduct the Curtis Method. Register now!
Ages 6 to 60. No cost."
Issued Monthly—
Fifteenth of Bach Month
Kansas City, Mo.
Wurlitzer's, 1015 Grand avenue, Kansas City, Mo.,
announce these inducements: "Music lessons free.
Teach your child to play a piano, violin, saxophone,
cornet, trombone, any wind instrument, guitar, man-
dolin, banjo and string instrument—or drum—private
lessons by best private teachers in city. Enroll now—
loan of instrument if necessary. Wurlitzer Music
Studios."
Pueblo, Colo.
Knight-Campbell's, Colorado building, Pueblo. Colo.,
declare: "Your children deserve the best in musical
education! There is no incentive like a grand piano."
Jacksonville, Fla.
The Edwards Piano Co., 127 West Adams street,
Jacksonville, Fla., has been quite successful in offer-
ing its store for piano class teaching. Several classes
have been formed in connection with the work of the
Musical Development Association, which maintain
headquarters at the Edwards store.
Bloomington, 111.
Two hundred and twenty-eight Illinois high schools
have enrolled for the Illinois State High School Music
and Literary Association contest, the finals for which
are to be held at Bloomington, 111., on May 14, 15
and 16. Dr. Fred S. Sorenson, of Illinois State Uni-
versity, estimates that the finals will draw 3,000 rep-
resentatives.
Eight Chicago Bands Competing
Eight high school bands in Chicago played on April
15 in the final stage of competition for the honor
of representing Chicago in the national high school
band contest in Tulsa, Okla., on May 23, 24 and 25.
At Glen Ellyn, 111.
The Glenbard vocal and piano contest at Glen Ellyn,
111., will take place in the new high school auditorium
of that Chicago suburb on May 5. A preliminary
contest is to be held about April 30. The total time
for piano is limited to twelve minutes to each con-
testant. Medals and trophies will be given winners.
Outside judges will make the decisions for the final
contests on May 5. The entrants for the piano con-
test should be prepared with three selections: one
classic, preferably by Bach, Handel, Hayden, or Mo-
zart (a prelude or invention by Bach is strongly rec-
ommended by Mr. Carr); one from the romantic
period, by Chopin, Mendelssohn, Liszt, Wagner, etc.,
and one modern by such composers as Grieg, Tschai-
kowsky, Rachmaninoff, Moszowski, or Debussy.
Chicago City Champion Band
Harrison High School, Chicago, will send its band
as the Chicago entry to the National high school band
contest in Tulsa, Okla., May 23, 24 and 25. The Har-
rison band won the city final contest in Chicago on
the night of April 15.
MUSIC'S INFLUENCE ON LIFE;
PIANO THE BASIC INSTRUMENT
By A. G. Gulbransen, President Gulbransen Com-
pany.
Music is being more and more recognized for its
deep influence on life, and the piano as the basic
instrument of the musical industries has a leading
and most important place in the world of music.
The piano for now over two hundred years, from
the day of Christofori, the inventor of the first piano,
to the present period, has served as the medium by
which masters of music contributed their soul stirring
melodies in the realm of music, and the classics among
their compositions will live through ages.
Modern music of the lasting character finds its inter-
pretation on the piano, and in these days of hurry and
speed, the piano in the home with its use tends to
afford both enjoyment and relaxation and makes for
real home atmosphere.
As to the influence of music, so many men and
women in all walks of life have expressed their regret
at not having had a musical education in their youth,
for as years pass on they feel and appreciate what a
great blessing it would have been in so many ways.
Dr. Charles H. Mayo, with his brother, Dr. William
J. Mayo, both of international fame, at the world
celebrated institution at Rochester, Minn., are firm be-
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