AN OLD MAGAZINE
...
NEW
AND
D IFFERENT
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A N C I E N T
§ 8 3 3 • R Q t h e western world has
g J S B J B B f l »^r known. It is recorded
*erf^e—_S»«5H Q £ t n e m e n 0 £ Athens that
they met on the Acropolis, or Mars Hill, or
in the Agora for the purpose of "seeing
or hearing some new thing." The desire
to see, hear, understand and do something
new is at the bottom of progress.
Nothing that is always just the same
remains always interesting. If every day
were just the same in heat, wind, clouds,
and other features, then no matter how
pleasant it might be it would be just an-
other day. But when there is some variety
of heat, and different breezes, flowers, fruits,
birds, and enjoyments then the days are
more interesting.
Some periodicals never change. When-
ever we see a person finger over a magazine
and say " J u s t the same old stuff," we know
the reason. When a magazine has been
"just the same old stuff" for a long time,
it loses its appeal and value. A magazine,
like any other creation of the human mind
that aims to be attractive and useful must
be sensitive to the changing modes of
thought, the new currents of sentiment, and
the most recent trends in business.
On December 21 I became identified with
the old Presto Times, which has had a
continuous and honorable history since 1881,
the oldest periodical in the United States
devoted to the music trades and industries.
It was my immediate aim to discover the
attitude of the men in the music world to-
wards trade journalism. Needless to say
I discovered "a lot" in a short time. It is
my desire to act on the splendid advice
given me by these men and to make this
magazine a living and creative force in the
world of music business.
One of the very first things to do was
to get an outstanding make-up man. I am
pleased to say that it was possible to obtain
a man who has a most enviable record
as a creator of most attractive magazine
designs.
The next thing to do was to have news
for the various departments or activities in
the music trades and industries. Hence we
are able to present some new and differ-
ent sections in this issue that we hope will
be attractive to our old friends and will be
seen by new eyes and draw them within
our circle of friendship.
Special articles have been written by
national leaders in various fields of busi-
ness. We have also been successful in ob-
taining articles from some notable writers
who are composers, directors, and business
leaders. These articles will reveal to us all
what a magnificent part music plays in our
modern life.
The editorials aim to be brief and to deal
with vital topics in connection with the
business and art of music.
A great deal of attention will be given to
the gathering of the newest developments
in the trade and the latest news from manu-
facturer, wholesaler, and retailer, and the
reaction of the public to this news. Right
now we invite you to send us your latest
news.
In order to link this magazine more closely
with its field of activity we have changed
the name from "Presto Times" to PRESTO
MUSIC TIMES which we feel is more
descriptive of its character.
Here is a new magazine with a long
and honorable history! Here is a different
magazine with the outlook of today! We
sincerely hope it will be most vital and
useful.
My chief desire now is to meet the men
of the industries and trades dealing with
music, and also the publishers, band and
orchestra directors and teachers, and to
learn from them how we can help to make
this magazine a real factor in upbuilding
the various elements that mean success in
the music world.
J. BRADFORD PENGELLY
P A G E
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
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/