Classic Mode

Presto

Issue: 1936 2280

PRESTO TIMES
AMERICAN
MUSIC TRADES-INDUSTRIES
Established 1884
1 Waiv. . .$1.00.
C Months. . . .60
rents
CHICAGO, ILL., SEPT.-OCT., 1936
Established 1881
JOURNAL
Fifteenth
of
Publication
Month
festival for the purpose of creating an interest in
than at any previous one—more lady dealers, proprie-
music, especially the piano, and the aim was that all
tors, clerks, salesladies. There had been years when
A GREAT CONVENTION YEAR
just one or two and not more than three ladies were those connected in the industry should benefit accord-
ingly. For instance, no player was accepted in the
in the halls of deliberation, and one year, at least,
IN MUSIC
festival except as entered by a regular piano teacher.
just unc solitary woman sat in the conclaves that
"The many details necessary to organize so large
year. She was very attentive and was on hand at
AMATEUR, PROFESSIONAL
a group can readily be realized when you consider
every meeting and did her work in committee well.
that the music must be selected for each group ac-
Although several associations which formerly helped
EDUCATIONAL, INDUSTRIAL
cording to age. It was necessary to have the music
to make up an imposing aggregation of interests along
for both players and artists arranged, adequate
with the Music Merchants' National Association have
NOTABLE FEATURES IN THE
marches had to be provided, practice groups had to be
cither ceased to exist, discontinued activities or
organized so that each group of players would have
CHICAGO GATHERING
dropped out entirely, yet several new organizations
an opportunity to practice beforehand. After they
have formed to help fill up the gap. The piano tuners'
had had numerous practices in groups of fifty to
organizations now hold their annual meetings at other
REVIEW OF HIGHLIGHT EVENTS
dates than contemporaneous with the music mer- seventy they were brought together in groups of
two hundred and twenty-five for final practice four
chants' group; the Phonograph Manufacturers' Asso-
weeks before the festival.
ciation has stopped short, and the piano travelers are
Since the close of the 1936 Music thinking about getting together again, which, it would
"One of the first things that was done in organizing
the festival was to arrange about the pianos, the
Trade Convention, in many ways the most im- seem, is a timely thing to do.
Wurlitzer Grand I'iano Company agreeing to supply
portant and best attended of any past gather-
Leadership as a whole of the annual conventions
ings, Presto-Times has made inquiries per- centers in the National Music Merchants' Association, one hundred and twenty-five pianos, but after the
was organized and a great amount of interest
sonally and by phone and has sent out scores as all the interests are brought together under the festival
shown by teachers, players and the public in gen-
of letters asking what was thought of the influence and, in a way, fostership and sponsorship, was
eral. It was soon seen by the interest created that
of the Music Merchants' Association which following
grand affair as a whole and from all angles.
it would be easy to sell these pianos, and plans for
the 1936 convention enters upon its 40th year. Other
Not a negligible reply has been received, not formations of selling and manufacturing interests join tying up the festival with the sale of the one hundred
one speaking in any way unfavorable or dis- with the music merchants and in this way are affiliated and twenty-five pianos were made. Letters to the
paragingly of the event, but every letter in with the work of the music merchants' association teachers announcing that the pianos would be for sale,
great or lesser degree has had praise for the though the relationship is not an amalgamation. The and through advertising and direct contact the month
work done and the outcome, the general en- Association of Retail Musical Instrument Dealers of May proved to be the biggest month of the year
came into existence in 1934 on a call sent out by Ray for piano sales and it was found that not only the
semble of results.
Lammers of Cincinnati asking dealers to meet at the festival pianos but practically all other lines in the
An inquiry has gone forth: "Why not make Medinah
store enjoyed a good sale, and we also found that
Club, Chicago. This association bears cer-
the big yearly gathering a four-day event tain characteristics
which are working features of the not only ourselves but all dealers in the city enjoyed
plus the preceding Sunday which seems a National Music Merchants' Association and the mem- sales from the festival. Many sales have been made
necessary get-ready day. The convention is a bership of this organization is largely interwoven directly as a result of the festival by other dealers.
big affair and one of many phases and angles. with the Music Merchants' Association, each with
"As an aftermath of the festival one of the out-
standing things to me is the fact that practically all
Tt is a strenuous three days of activity as now the other.
carried on and with the exhibit element so Mr. Wilking Explains About the Big Piano Carnival of the teachers represented in the festival, and many
prominent there is not much time for either
In connection with the moving pictures of the big who were not represented, want to be in the next
festival, and all are asking that the festival be made
the principals or their assistants to get to the Indianapolis piano carnival carried out under the an
annual institution."
meeting of any of the associations not to men- general supervision of Frank Wilking, president of
They
say that the violin student, or the student
tion the neglect that prevails in not register- the Wilking Piano Co., Mr. Wilking gave an interest-
who plays the horn or other instruments, is soon
ing
address
on
how
that
piece
of
managerial
and
con-
ing or paying dues to affiliated associations of
placed in an orchestra where he can play before the
their choice, headed by the Music Merchants structive work was carried out.
public and under a director. A piano student does
He
said
that
for
a
long
time
he
had
given
serious
Association. A day longer would be appre-
not have the same opportunity, and the 125 Grand
thought
to
the
idea
of
a
gigantic
piano
festival,
and
ciated by the exhibitors and would give buy-
i'iano Festival fills that need for the piano student.
while the plan was more or less arranged in the fall
ers a longer breathing and resting up spell.
They can look forward to playing in a large group,
of 1934 it was presented to a large musical sorority
under a conductor and before a large audience, which
It is estimated that 70 per cent of the total attend-
in Indianapolis with the view of presenting the con- gives them poise and ability equal to two or three years
ance at the convention this year—and the statement
cert in Indianapolis. "The undertaking was of such
of private teaching.
holds good as to last year's convention—of visitors
magnitude," he said, "and I saw that the whole re-
and others interested in one branch or another of
There are individuals in the music trade who favor
sponsibility would rest on me, and I did not feel at
music and what is going on in music, were not
that time justified in attempting the project. I con- a semi-annual convention instead of annually. The
members of the National Music Merchants' Associa-
tinued to work and presented the idea to the Wurlitzer thought has been expressed that the executive meet-
tion, and many also not members of any one of the (Irand Piano Company as to finding out how far they ing generally held in winter could be broadened out
other associations which were meeting concurrent with
for a mid-winter convention with displays and ex-
would go with me in furnishing one hundred and
the music merchants. Many who were there did
hibits. Then, on the other hand, there are merchants,
twenty-five pianos.
not register at the official registration desk although
"After carefully analyzing the idea it was easy to many of them non-members and non-participants of
something above 700 naim:s were registered. But
see that to derive the benefits desired from such an the association, who get a lot of good from convention
this simple registration did not mean membership in
undertaking it would be necessary to make it bigger activities through the reports that come to them from
any one of the organizations. With an official regis-
and
more spectacular than was first thought. It was convention headquarters, the trade papers and in other
tration of National Association of Music membership
then
decided to enlarge the scope of this project to ways. To such ones the occurrence of the meetings
of, say, 250-300, the entire attendance each day may
take
in
tiic entire state of Indiana and to issue an matters not MUCH.
be put down as 1,000 persons, which includes prin-
invitation to all piano teachers who wished to have a
cipals and attendants at exhibits, salesmen, miscel-
Evidently the Gulbransen factory at Kedzie
laneous representatives, professionals, various artists part. Considerable trouble was experienced in secur-
ing a list of piano teachers, but after this was finally and West Chicago avenues, Chicago, has been
and other visitors.
accomplished and the invitations issued to some eleven a center of special attraction for many of the
Many principals among the exhibitors did not regis-
hundred students of various grades in piano study.
music trade merchants who have been visit-
ter, and in several cases there would be only a few From this group eight hundred players were selected
ing
Chicago during the past several weeks, for
names registered from a commonwealth when the
together with twenty-five artists to play with each in the Gulbransen Monthly Bulletin many ex-
actual attendance from that state would be many more
group, making eight hundred and twenty-five in-
tracts from letters are published, speaking of
than shown on the registration cards. There was a dividual participants."
their Museum
visits (www.arcade-museum.com).
to the factory and placing of orders.
larger attendance
of content
ladies © at
the convention
this
year - The Musical
Enhanced
2008-2009
and presented
by MBSI
Society
(www.mbsi.org)
and to
the International
"The Box
desire
of International
the management
was
use the Arcade
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/
PRESTO-TIMES
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS NA-
TIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MUSIC
MERCHANTS YEAR ENDING 1937
George L. Kyerly, the 193<>-37 vice-president of the
Retail Musical Instrument Dealers' Association, is
the president and general manager of the Byerly Bros.
Music House, Peoria, 111., the beginning of which
business was in 1921. In 1926 it was incorporated
as the Conn-Peoria Company, being a factory branch
of the C. G. Conn Company, Ltd., Elkhart. This con-
tinued until 1931 when Mr. George Byerly, who had
been manager and a minor stockholder in the Conn-
Peoria Company since it started, bought the controll-
ing interest and in January, 1932, the name was
changed to Byerly Bros. Music Company with George
Byerly president and E. S. Byerly secretary and treas-
urer. Mr. George Byerly gives his main attention to
the band instrument and musical merchandise depart-
ment and E. S. Byerly to the piano department.
A few years ago the Byerly Bros, moved to their
new and elegant store, 106 N. Adams Street, and the
opening on October 21, 1933, was a grand affair. They
introduced a spectacular parade of about 17 visiting-
school bands from points in Central Illinois and as
a souvenir to all drummers and members of drum
corps a pair of drum sticks was given; a shining cloth
was presented to all wind instrument players and a
set of finest quality steel strings to all fretted instru-
ment players who visited the store.
Sept.-Oct., 1936
The Resolution of Thanks
This is the resolution of thanks passed the last day
of the convention:
"WHEREAS, certain individuals, firms, corpora-
tions and organizations have rendered services at the
President and Vice-Presidents
annual Convention of the National Association of
Charles K. Wells ((.'has. K. Wells Music Co.), Den-
Music Merchants held at the Stevens Hotel, Chicago,
ver. Colo., President.
July 27, 28 and 29, therefore be it
Jerome F. Murphy, Boston; W. Howard Beasley,
RESOLVED—That the National Association of
Dallas; Robert T. Shackleton, Louisville; Paul S.
Music Merchants hereby expresses its deep gratitude
Felder, New Orleans, vice-presidents.
to the following individuals, firms and groups listed
S. Ernest Philpitt, Miami, Fla., secretary.
below for their generosity in contributing to the suc-
Carl A. Droop, Washington, D. C , treasurer.
cess of this convention without cost to the association.
Executive Secretary
Our fellow member, Mr. Melville Clark, for his ap-
W. A. Mennie, 45 \V. 45th St., New York City.
pearance as harpist at the thirty-fifth annual banquet.
Directors
Steinway & Sons for the presentation of Mischa
W. Barry Hamilton, Pittsburgh; J. F. Huber, Buf-
Levitzki at the banquet.
falo; Carl Wittich, Reading, Pa.; Melville Clark, Syra-
Lyon & Healy, Inc., Chicago, for furnishing the
cuse, N. Y.; R. F. Heidner, Holyoke, Mass.; Edwin
piano for the use of Levitzki at the banquet.
J. Walt, Lincoln, Nebr.; J. W. Jenkins III, Kansas
The Baldwin Piano Co. for furnishing the piano for
City, Mo.; Jay Grinnell, Detroit; and Raymond E.
the use of Dr. Sigmund Spaeth at the banquet.
Durham, Chicago.
J. C. Deagan, Inc., for the presentation of Clair
These are the officers and committee elected to suc-
Omar Musser at the banquet.
ceed the officials of 1935-'36.
Kranich & Bach for furnishing a grand piano for
the banquet program.
The National-Dobro Corporation for the presenta-
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS NATIONAL RE-
tion of the Osborne Guitar Trio at the banquet.
TAIL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT DEALERS'
H. A. Selnier, Inc., for the presentation of the
THAT TIMELY RESOLUTION
ASSOCIATION, FOR 1936-37
Warmelin Clarinet Quartet at the banquet.
Howard Lyons, Chicago, President.
There had been much time, careful consideration
The Chicago Musical Instrument Co. for the pre-
Geo. Byerly, Peoria, Ills., Yice-President.
given to making a declaration on the matter of dis-
sentation of Jerry Shelton, accordionist, at the ban-
demons Lueck, Ripon, Wis., Secretary and Treas-
counts, to whom and to whom not. Finally the fol- quet.
urer.
C. G. Conn, Ltd., for the presentation of the cornet
lowing resolution was accepted and unanimously
Executive Committee-Directors
trio at the banquet.
R. 1. Salter ( Fx-Pres.), Wilmington, Del., chairman. adopted:
The Banquet Committee for invaluable assistance in
"WHEREAS, the sales promotion and service ac-
Members: P. W. Guest (Ex-Pres.), Detroit, Mich.;
arranging the musical program and other banquet
T
Chas. Parker, Houston, Tex., E. L. Weir, Los An- tivities of the music merchants of the L nited States
details.
geles, Calif., W. P. Hare, Warren, Ohio. Mr. Weir are primarily responsible for the extension of musical
The Chicago Piano & Organ Association for spon-
culture, and for the growth and future prosperity of
is now with the Wurlitzer Company.
soring the opening convention luncheon on July 27.
the music business, and
All the exhibitors for their splendid display of musi-
Mr. Charles E. Wells in accepting the presidency of
WHEREAS, the continuation and expansion of
cal instruments and accessories.
the Nat'onal Association said that he does so with these sales promotion and service activities, requiring
The National Retail Musical Instrument Dealers'
considerable fear "for," as he says, "following in the the investment of substantial sums, are wholly de-
Association for participating in this convention.
footsteps of Alfred D. La Motte and having in mind pendent upon a fair and adequate profit for the music
The National Association of Sheet Music Dealers
the notable work he did for the association it is not merchant, therefore, be it
for participating in this convention.
going to be an easy task for me (nor would it be for
Last, but not least, the trade press for publicity and
RESOLVED, that the Advisory Board of the Na-
anyone); When Mr. La Motte took over the duties
co-operation.
tional
Association
of
Music
Merchants
urge
manufac-
of president, a great proportion of our bunch of fine
and always ready members had pulled out, each with turers and wholesalers of band instruments, musical
CONVENTION LEFT-OVERS: RE-HASH
some excuse or another; yet Mr. La Motte accepted merchandise, phonograph records and accessories, and
the job and we all know what wonderful work he publishers and wholesalers of sheet music and music
AND
OTHER HYPHENATED FILLER-
books, to confine their sales discounts from list prices
did."
INS.
to established music merchants who carry adequate
When a young man and just after his marriage, Mr. stocks of the types of products involved."
Mr. W. R. Kellerman. known to some of his friends
Wells secured a position as bookkeeper and cashier
as "Bill Kay," who is the president of the Bergstrom
During the discussion, although it was fully agreed
with a commission house of Chicago where he re-
Music Company, Honolulu, and one of the two gentle-
mained thirteen years. His friend, George Campbell, that the resolution covered practically every depart-
men who were honored at the convention as traveling
who had been a piano tuner and who, with Mr. Knight, ment of music trade commerce, it was brought out
the farthest distance for the convention, did a con-
had formed the Knight-Campbell Music House, in- that it did not cover completely one matter of vital
siderable deal of buying during his stay in this coun-
duced him to come to Denver where he joined Mr.
try. To have been host to Mr. Kellerman was an
Campbell in his newly organized business. He re- importance. "Phonograph record makers, all of them
honor sought after and he, in turn, was a delighted
mained with the Knight-Campbell Company about 19 have adopted the policy that any man in a community
and appreciative guest. On the opening day of the
years and on the death of Mr. Campbell Mr. Wells who owns and operates nickel-in-the-slot machines
convention at the P. & O. opening luncheon, he
with his two sons, Russell and Horace, started the that play records is entitled to receive exactly the
was the guest of Mr. Cook of the Schiller-Cable Piano
business which has now become the great Charles E. same price on every record he buys, as you receive.
Company and he attended numerous other dinners
Wells Music Company.
He maintains no place of business, he resells no rec- and festivities and many individual and private get-
togethers and "then some." However, Mr. Kellerman
One of the first vice-presidents of the association. ords, but he is enabled to buy records from your jobber
could not remain for the Wednesday night banquet
Mr. Jerome F. Murphy, that gentleman, although at your full discount." It is absolutely wrong; there-
inasmuch as he had booked passage on the S. S.
far from being an old man, has had a long experi- fore the following resolution was regularly moved,
Lurline which sailed from San Francisco on Saturday.
ence in the music business and all the years, from seconded and unanimously adopted:
He left Chicago on the streamline train City of San
boyhood with the house of M. Steinert & Sons with
Francisco.
which he was first employed as an errand boy. For
"WHERKAS, it has become known to this Asso-
"'We were greatly pleased at the enthusiasm of
about 25 years Mr. Murphy was the managing director ciation that there is a general practice upon the part
nearly
400 dealers from the larger cities and towns
of the Steinert Manufacturing subsidiary, the Jewett of the makers of phonograph records to sell these
who visited our exhibit. They seemed happier than
Piano Company at Leominster, Mass. For ten years records directly to the consumer, when that consumer
those who visited the convention last year and like-
he was treasurer and general manager of the East- is operating coin-operated devices for the playing of
wise for several preceding years. This is significant
those
records;
and,
ern Talking Machine Company, wholesale Victor dis-
that they are optimistic and have every reason to be
WHEREAS,
We
consider
as
non
ethical
the
prac-
tributors for New England At the present time Mr.
of any manufacturer permitting his jobber to so so. As we see it, the convention was a great success."
Murphy is the president and treasurer of the M. Stein- tice
market his product directly to the consumer and at —D. D. Luxton of Vose & Sons in a special message
ert & Sons Company, Inc., which concern has for the same time expect the support of the retail music
to Presto-Times at the close of the convention.
many years controlled various subsidiary houses and stores which are the true outlet to the consumer,
branch stores in every state in New England.
T H E R E F O R E , BE IT RESOLVED, that this
Did persons who came in contact with these indi-
Association very strongly condemn this procedure by
Mr. Wm. H. Lyons, president-elect of the Musical the manufacturers and by the jobbers of phonograph viduals during various conventions this summer re-
call that they were prominent in their respective music
Instrument Retail Dealers Association, was formerly records, and
trade associations a decade ago. W. C. Hess, now sec-
BE
IT
FURTHER
RESOLVED,
that
we
call
of the Tom Brown Music Company, Chicago. In 1927
he organized the Lyons Band Instrument Company, upon the manufacturers to correct this error in the retary of the Estey Piano Company, was then presi-
dent of the Musical Supply Association of America
Chicago; Wm. H. Lyons, President; H. R. Lyons, system of the distribution of their product, and
and Roy Hibschman of Chicago was secretary. C. D.
BE IT F U R T H E R RESOLVED, that copies of
Yice-President; C. L. McCreery, Sec'y-Treas.
this resolution be given to the trade press and be sent
Greenleaf, head of the C. G. Conn Company, was then
They were located in the State Lake Bldg. until to the manufacturers of records throughout the
president of the Band Instrument Manufacturers' As-
May this year, moving into the large and commodious United States."
sociation; Karl B. Shinkman was vice-president, an
quarters at 17 W'est Lake Street where they have a
It Avas desired to get the widest publicity of this office to which he has again been elected this year as
large and complete store, studios, stock and display resolution and the trade press requested to help carry
a running mate with his competitor and contemporary,
room.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The
Musical
Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade
(www.arcade-museum.com).
out
this Box
request.
Fred Museum
A. Holtz.
Gordon Laughead, sales manager
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/

Download Page 3: PDF File | Image

Download Page 4 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.