ILLINOIS ACCORDION BAND ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATES ISSUED
As we go to press we learn that Mr. J. S. Daurer, Secre-
tary-Treasurer of the Illinois Accordion Band Association
has announced that the 1941 membership certificates are being
mailed to all charter members during this month. January.
MISHA ELMAN PLAYS THREE VIOLINS
WORTH $100,000
When Mischa Elman arrived in Chicago for his concert at
Orchestra Hall on Sunday, January 12th, he brought with him
three violins totalling more than 600 years in age and valued
at nearly $100,000.
The oldest of the three instruments is a Stradivarius made
in 1717 and considered one of the three most prized violins in
the world. It was presented to Mr. Elman by his wife. A
second Stradivarius, made five years later, was given Elman
by his father in 1908. The third violin is a 170 year old
Amati.
All three instruments are in constant use, for Mr. Elman
does not believe in treating his violins as museum pieces.
"A good violin," he says, "improves with use as well as age."
"LOVE AT LAST" Left to Right: Franchot Tone, Robert Benchley,
Deanna Durbin, Anne Gwynne, Ann Gillis, and Robert Stack
DEANNA DURBIN USES LOUIS XV
STORYGRAND
Deanna Durbin, Universal's great star, joyously sings and
plays her own accompaniment upon a Louis XV Storygrancl
in "Love At Last," a Joe Pasternak production directed by
William Seiter. "Featured with Miss Durbin is a remarkable
group of actors including Robert Benchley, Franchot Tone,
Walter Brennan, Helen Broderick, Robert Stack, Anne
Gwynne, Ann Gillis, Nana Bryant and Elizabeth Risdon.
Russell Gausmann, one of Hollywood's leading directors
of set decorations, told Gordon Laughead, Sales Manager of
Story & Clark Piano Company, that the 48C Louis XV Story-
grand was one of the most beautiful pianos in the world.
Mr. Laughead and Russell Elam, Manager of Barker Bros.,
Story & Clark dealer in Los Angeles, were guests of Universal
executives for luncheon and on the set at the final shooting
of "Love At Last."
FUTURE OF MUSIC RESTS IN AMERICA
We have just received a report on the following interest-
ing interview given by Sir Ernest MacMillan, Director of the
Toronto Conservatory of Music and Conductor of the Toron-
to Symphony who said that the future of music rests with
America.
"America has fallen heir to all that is best and noblest in
European music, including much that Europeans have stup-
idly discarded for other than aesthetic reasons! To all this
America is adding her own quota and, year by year, is stand-
ing more firmly on her own musical feet," he said.
Sir Ernest told the Music Teachers' National Association
that in the past America lias been a musical debtor, an im-
porter rather than an exporter.
Pointing to what he described as "the crumbling of cul-
tural greatness in Europe," the Canadian director said, "the
flood of first class musicians who have been driven to our
shores by troubles in their native lands may postpone nat-
ural, native development, but I fancy it will not be long before
our own young conductors will come into their own."
PAGE THIRTY-TWO
PRESTO MUSIC TIMES FURNISHES
LECTURE MATERIAL
We have just received a letter that pleased us very much.
It was from Mr. John F. Hess of the Call-Chronicle News-
papers, Allentown. Pennsylvania. He ordered an extra copy
of the October issue of Presto Music Times and stated that
he used the material in the article, "500 Years of Printing:
The First Printed Book with Music," for a lecture to a study
class. We are glad to know that Presto Music Times is so
widely read and used.
"YOU NEED MUSIC"! AN INTERESTING
NEW BOOK BY RUTH V. MATHEWS
Presto Music Times has just received the announcement
of the publication of "You Need Music!" by Ruth Vendley
Mathews, the Advertising Manager of the Chicago Musical
Instrument Company and Editor of the Band World Maga-
zine, Chicago, Illinois. The book is published by the Neil
Kjos Publishing Company of Chicago. The price of this use-
ful book is $1.50 per copy with a 40% discount to music
dealers.
The book contains a collection of quotations from famous
people from all ages and all nations, from the ancient Chinese
philosopher, Confucius, to the modern industrialist, Henry
Ford, on the benefits of music. These quotations are ar-
ranged in chapters with introductory prose prefaces by the
author. They furnish a good outline of the history of Music
and its value in everyone's life. It is beautifully designed
and illustrated by Carl LaRoss, a prominent Chicago artist.
This book is valuable to music dealers as it contains in-
teresting material for use in advertising, in talks before civic
groups, etc. It makes a lovely gift for the music supervisor
in his territory. It is excellent "propaganda" to spread around
in favor of music study for every child. And it is interesting
reading for everyone.
EVERETT PIANO COMPANY GIVES AN
EXCLUSIVE ORGATRON FRANCHISE TO
THE CABLE PIANO COMPANY
Mr. George Stapley, President, and Mr. Earl R. Billings.
Jr., of the Everett Piano Company, South Haven, Michigan,
have just informed Presto Music Times of the granting of an
exclusive franchise to the Cable Piano Company of Chicago
for the merchandising of the Orgatron.
The editor of Presto Music Times had a pleasant visit
with some of the executives of the Cable Piano Company who
were pleased to confirm the information above and to furnish
some details concerning it.
The Cable Piano Company is an old established firm and
has a number of stores in and around Chicago. The terri-
tory covered by this new franchise includes all of the Cable
agencies in Illinois and Indiana.
Mr. Bertram Webber who has had many years of expe-
rience with the Orgatron will be the manager of the new
department for Cable which will be known as the Orgatron
Department.
PRESTO MlTSIC TIMES
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