Nov.-Dec, 1937
21
PRESTO-TIMES
Bands, Orchestras, Musical Merchandise
BAND AND ORCHESTRA PROGRESS
There has been all over the country much activity
this season in organizing bands, particularly in educa-
tional centers. In schools the work has been progress-
ing at a very rapid rate.
Schools which a few years ago kept up only a
struggling band of ten or a dozen members now sup-
port junior high and high school bands with twenty,
and up, pieces.
At Chenoa, 111., the school band recently engaged
Dale Eymann of Pontiac, 111., as leader and instructor.
Several meetings have been held and the principal of
the school, R. A. Osborn, has become interested in
seeing a substantial band organization established.
George Diver, musical instrument dealer at 321 S.
Wabash Ave., Chicago, has had a representative in
Chenoa who made an exhibit in the library of the
grade school building of musical instruments which
would be required by the band. It was announced
that the instruments could be inspected and probably
short musical programs, would be given. To all ap-
pearances Chenoa is going to have an excellent band
organization under the direction of Mr. Eymann, who
is a graduate of the Illinois Wesleyan University at
Bloomington and has served as instructor in various
localities.
At Kalkaska, Mich., Montie Darby, the leader of the
village band at the place, is organizing a junior baud
and recently made offers to musically inclined youths
of Kalkaska and vicinity, girls as well as boys, to
join a "beginners' band," later to be known as Kas-
kaska Band Number 2.
George Thain of the Thain Music Company of
Fort Wayne met recently with those interested in a
band at the high school at Silver Springs, Ind. Much
interest was shown in the organization of a band by
both parents and students, and a representative of
the company is interviewing the parents relative to
purchase of instruments.
H. A. Strom, bandmaster of the Mokena, 111., school
band, is reorganizing that organization and has estab-
lished a rental system on instruments. Mr. Strom's
announcement says: "In order to find out who can
readily learn to play an instrument a rhythm and
pitch test is being given to the students of the school
to determine whether or not the children have talent
for music."
The Perryville, 111., band purchased a new set of
costumes on the occasion of its concert and annual
music festival, given at the Perryville high school
Nov. 6. The money received from the sale of tickets
is to be used to buy band instruments for pupils who
want to learn to play. There are 14 pupils now using
school instruments. This year the orchestra has been
increased by seven new violin players. The Perry-
ville mass band is composed of 51 members.
At Lakeview, Mich., the parent-teachers' association
sponsored a play put on by the pupils of the schools
in that town, the proceeds of which were to go toward
the purchase of band uniforms for the members of
the high school band, and if a little money is left
over after the purchase of the uniforms it is planned
to buy several new band instruments which would soon
be needed.
At Edinburg, Ind., Mr. S. C. Harrell has organized
a young people's band organization and has been giv-
ing instruction to several groups of children in band
instrument playing.
Neil Lauman of the Lauman Music Store, Michigan
City, Ind., says that a recent survey of musical in-
strument sales shows that guitars are outselling all
other stringed instruments, even the ever-popular
ukelele. The present manner of amplifying the volume
of tone in the guitar by the pick substituted for the
old fingering method has much to do with the in-
creasing popularity of the guitar. Another thing was
the changing taste in music, the swing style replacing
very largely the jazz and the jazz feature of musical
expression.
In a half column story on band organizations in
high schools the Lawton, Mich., Leader says, "Boost
the Band." The first paragraph in the Leader reads
as follows:
During the past few 3'ears Lawton has had in its
school an organization of which it can well be proud.
That organization is the High School Band. Last year
the band put on some excellent performances in Law-
ton and also made a very fine showing at the Blossom
Festival Parade at Benton Harbor. This year the
band wishes to attain new heights in its field of ac-
complishment. The school has increased the regular
hours of band practice, and has set aside certa'n days
of the week on which the gymnasium is to be used for
marching rehearsals, but the band still lacks one im-
portant thing which the school is not able to give
it, that is financial aid.
The School of Music at Bloomington, Ind., has re-
cently purchased four upright pianos which have been
placed in practice rooms of that school.
Hartford City, Ind., has a newly organized accor-
dion band. Miss Ruth Edwards is the president and
Mrs. Oliver Miller, vice-president.
The Beverly Y. M. C. A. Accordion Band at Bever-
ly Hills, Chicago, has been organized and practice is
now going on at the Y. M. C. A. rooms, 11055 Home-
wood avenue. Lessons are being given by a well-
known teacher and Michael Parti is general instructor.
Winchester, Ky., has a new band which is under
the direction of C. D. Gatson, acting as temporary
bandmaster.
At Addison, Mich., a survey was made to ascertain
who would be interested in forming a new school band.
Sixty-five applied for membership, which number is
about three times that which was expected when it
was decided to organize a beginners' band. The local
paper at Addison, speaking of band instruments, says:
"Nearly every high school today has its band, and
how these youngsters take up music so quickly and
perform so well in so short a time is a thrill and satis-
Targ & Dinner, Inc., Issues Novel
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Legitimate music dealers who have not received a
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