Music Trade Review
Issue: 1899 Vol. 28 N. 22 - Page 3
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With which is incorporated T H E KEYNOTE.
VOL. XXVIII. No. 22.
Published Every Saturday at 3 East Fourteenth Street.
MR. C. Q. CONN.
MONG the men who are playing an
important part in the development of
the musical culture of the American people
to-day, is Mr. C. G. Conn, whose picture
appears on the cover page of this issue.
His was the master mind, which some-
thing over a quarter of a century ago saw
the great possibilities for active work in
the improvement of band and orchestral
instruments.
At that time the United States was
exclusively controlled by foreign manufac-
turers, everything considered "anything"
was imported. With that grit and enter-
prise so characteristic of the Western
pioneer, Mr. Conn started in to manufac-
ture in Elkhart, Ind., with a few assistants
and modest capital. He labored tirelessly
but effectively to blaze his way along new
paths of effort. He utilized brain as well
as muscle. After a careful study of the
various makes of band instruments he
realized their defects and through his
technical and inventive genius originated
such remedial and improved methods of
construction as have made their author
famous among the great inventors and
improvers of our time.
The celebrated " Wonder " band, orches-
tral and string instruments manufactured
by Mr. Conn are to-day the best monument
to his ability and enterprise. They have
won the encomiums of the famous band
masters and instrumental soloists in this
country and abroad. In construction, in
tonal quality in all essentials that go to
make the best in their line they are stamped
with the individuality of the maker, and
estimated from any standpoint are sui gen-
eris.
Through the opening of the New York
warerooms some two years since Mr. Conn's
personality has been made better known to
Eastern musicians. This move has also
helped toward a wider recognition of the
intrinsic merits of the different instruments
which he manufactures.
As might be expected from a man of Mr.
Conn's force of character, expansion has
been the order of the day in his establish-
ment, and new moves all tending to a
greater augmentation of prestige have been
recorded from time to time. The latest is
the securing of new quarters at 34 E.
Fourteenth street, to be known as the Conn
Building and which will be occupied early
this month. In this immense establish-
New York, June 3,1899.
ment of five stories, will be centered his
various interests, the object being to es-
tablish a central emporium, worthy of the
metropolis, where everything in the musi-
cal line can be purchased.
That Mr. Conn is destined to become a
still greater force in the musical life of
America seems to us certain and is logical-
ly based upon past achievements. If we
consider him as a creator of an individual
system of band instrument manufacture
which is the superior of any the world
over; as the owner of one of the largest
factories in the world devoted to the manu-
facture of these instruments; as the orig-
inator of a co-operative plan by which
profits are divided between himself and
his employees; as a capable and clever
writer and editor; as a Mayor several times
of his native City, Elkhart; as a legislator
in the halls of Congress; or as a progres-
sive opening-of-the-century business man
—take him in either or all of these po-
sitions and it must be admitted that Mr.
Conn is a unique and forceful personality
who is bound to make his way still higher
not only in the estimation of men but in
inventive, musical and industrial spheres.
*
TEAN DE RESZKE, who recently sang
^ with a number of the Grau forces
at Windsor Castle, has been invested by
Queen Victoria with the Royal Victorian
Order of the fourth class. Sir Arthur
Sullivan is the only other musician who
has received this decoration. We hope this
will not result in the entrance fee being
increased at the Metropolitan next season.
*
T H E Secretary of the Park Board an-
* nounces the following schedule of
band concerts to be given in the various
parks of Manhattan borough during the
summer: Central Park 71 st Regiment Band,
Fanciulli, thirty concerts, Saturday and
Sunday afternoons at 4 o'clock, beginning
May 27. Mount Morris, Squadron A Band,
Laderhaus, thirteen concerts, Tuesday
evening at 8 o'clock, beginning May 30.
Abingdon square, Old Guard Band, Ram-
pone, fifteen concerts, Wednesday evenings,
beginning May 31. Washington square,
8th Regiment Band, Crowley, eleven con-
certs, Monday evening, beginning May 29.
Madison square, 14th Regiment Band,
Conterno, fifteen concerts, Thursday even-
ings, beginning June 1. Battery, 69th
Regiment Band, Bayne, thirteen concerts,
$2.00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES 10 CENTS.
Friday evening, beginning June 2. Tomp-
kins square, 9th Regiment Band, Bent, and
Wagner's Band, seven concerts each, Tues-
day evenings, beginning May 30. Mul-
berry Bend, Berndt's, Di Matteo's and
Camera's bands, twelve concerts, Wednes-
day evenings, beginning May 31. East
River, Boswald's and Kauer's bands, thir-
teen concerts, Thursday evenings, begin-
ning June 1. Corlears Hook, Kauer's, Ward's
and Halle's bands, twelve concerts, Monday
evenings, beginning May 29.
*
J N connection with the band concerts in
* the city par^s the suggestion is made
that this service could be admirably sup-
plemented by either the city or private in-
dividuals in giving a series of what is
termed in Liverpool "court and alley
open-air concerts." The experiment was
tried m that city about three years ago.
It has not got to London yet, but last
year Birmingham took it up, and this
year Manchester slum dwellers will be
favored. The great advantage of these
affairs is that the music is brought to
the doors of the poor, many of whom are
unable to go any distance from home.
Particulars are not at hand of the way
the concerts have been conducted in Liver-
pool, but the manner in which they might
be given easily suggests itself. The poor
have little besides hard work and indiffer-
ent food and shelter. New York is rich
enough to spend a few thousand dollars for
their entertainment, and nothing would be
more acceptable than music. One needs
but to watch the eagerness with which a
good street piano is welcomed to be con-
vinced of this, but even the street pianos
are seen but little in the sections where
they would be most appreciated, for their
proprietors must live, and small coin is
scarce in the slums.
T F rumors current over the water be cor-
* rect, Mme. Patti may again honor us
with one of her farewell tours. No doubt
she understands what a drawing card her
new title is in this democratic country of
ours, and the opportunity of adding a good
many dollai-s to her bank account is an in-
ducement she cannot well resist.
#
I EONCAVALLO is said to be writing
*-** an opera, based on the novel "Quo
Vadis." The next thing, Kipling, Marie
Corelli and Laura Jean Libbey will be im-
mortalized in some of the musical forms.
With which is incorporated T H E KEYNOTE.
VOL. XXVIII. No. 22.
Published Every Saturday at 3 East Fourteenth Street.
MR. C. Q. CONN.
MONG the men who are playing an
important part in the development of
the musical culture of the American people
to-day, is Mr. C. G. Conn, whose picture
appears on the cover page of this issue.
His was the master mind, which some-
thing over a quarter of a century ago saw
the great possibilities for active work in
the improvement of band and orchestral
instruments.
At that time the United States was
exclusively controlled by foreign manufac-
turers, everything considered "anything"
was imported. With that grit and enter-
prise so characteristic of the Western
pioneer, Mr. Conn started in to manufac-
ture in Elkhart, Ind., with a few assistants
and modest capital. He labored tirelessly
but effectively to blaze his way along new
paths of effort. He utilized brain as well
as muscle. After a careful study of the
various makes of band instruments he
realized their defects and through his
technical and inventive genius originated
such remedial and improved methods of
construction as have made their author
famous among the great inventors and
improvers of our time.
The celebrated " Wonder " band, orches-
tral and string instruments manufactured
by Mr. Conn are to-day the best monument
to his ability and enterprise. They have
won the encomiums of the famous band
masters and instrumental soloists in this
country and abroad. In construction, in
tonal quality in all essentials that go to
make the best in their line they are stamped
with the individuality of the maker, and
estimated from any standpoint are sui gen-
eris.
Through the opening of the New York
warerooms some two years since Mr. Conn's
personality has been made better known to
Eastern musicians. This move has also
helped toward a wider recognition of the
intrinsic merits of the different instruments
which he manufactures.
As might be expected from a man of Mr.
Conn's force of character, expansion has
been the order of the day in his establish-
ment, and new moves all tending to a
greater augmentation of prestige have been
recorded from time to time. The latest is
the securing of new quarters at 34 E.
Fourteenth street, to be known as the Conn
Building and which will be occupied early
this month. In this immense establish-
New York, June 3,1899.
ment of five stories, will be centered his
various interests, the object being to es-
tablish a central emporium, worthy of the
metropolis, where everything in the musi-
cal line can be purchased.
That Mr. Conn is destined to become a
still greater force in the musical life of
America seems to us certain and is logical-
ly based upon past achievements. If we
consider him as a creator of an individual
system of band instrument manufacture
which is the superior of any the world
over; as the owner of one of the largest
factories in the world devoted to the manu-
facture of these instruments; as the orig-
inator of a co-operative plan by which
profits are divided between himself and
his employees; as a capable and clever
writer and editor; as a Mayor several times
of his native City, Elkhart; as a legislator
in the halls of Congress; or as a progres-
sive opening-of-the-century business man
—take him in either or all of these po-
sitions and it must be admitted that Mr.
Conn is a unique and forceful personality
who is bound to make his way still higher
not only in the estimation of men but in
inventive, musical and industrial spheres.
*
TEAN DE RESZKE, who recently sang
^ with a number of the Grau forces
at Windsor Castle, has been invested by
Queen Victoria with the Royal Victorian
Order of the fourth class. Sir Arthur
Sullivan is the only other musician who
has received this decoration. We hope this
will not result in the entrance fee being
increased at the Metropolitan next season.
*
T H E Secretary of the Park Board an-
* nounces the following schedule of
band concerts to be given in the various
parks of Manhattan borough during the
summer: Central Park 71 st Regiment Band,
Fanciulli, thirty concerts, Saturday and
Sunday afternoons at 4 o'clock, beginning
May 27. Mount Morris, Squadron A Band,
Laderhaus, thirteen concerts, Tuesday
evening at 8 o'clock, beginning May 30.
Abingdon square, Old Guard Band, Ram-
pone, fifteen concerts, Wednesday evenings,
beginning May 31. Washington square,
8th Regiment Band, Crowley, eleven con-
certs, Monday evening, beginning May 29.
Madison square, 14th Regiment Band,
Conterno, fifteen concerts, Thursday even-
ings, beginning June 1. Battery, 69th
Regiment Band, Bayne, thirteen concerts,
$2.00 PER YEAR.
SINGLE COPIES 10 CENTS.
Friday evening, beginning June 2. Tomp-
kins square, 9th Regiment Band, Bent, and
Wagner's Band, seven concerts each, Tues-
day evenings, beginning May 30. Mul-
berry Bend, Berndt's, Di Matteo's and
Camera's bands, twelve concerts, Wednes-
day evenings, beginning May 31. East
River, Boswald's and Kauer's bands, thir-
teen concerts, Thursday evenings, begin-
ning June 1. Corlears Hook, Kauer's, Ward's
and Halle's bands, twelve concerts, Monday
evenings, beginning May 29.
*
J N connection with the band concerts in
* the city par^s the suggestion is made
that this service could be admirably sup-
plemented by either the city or private in-
dividuals in giving a series of what is
termed in Liverpool "court and alley
open-air concerts." The experiment was
tried m that city about three years ago.
It has not got to London yet, but last
year Birmingham took it up, and this
year Manchester slum dwellers will be
favored. The great advantage of these
affairs is that the music is brought to
the doors of the poor, many of whom are
unable to go any distance from home.
Particulars are not at hand of the way
the concerts have been conducted in Liver-
pool, but the manner in which they might
be given easily suggests itself. The poor
have little besides hard work and indiffer-
ent food and shelter. New York is rich
enough to spend a few thousand dollars for
their entertainment, and nothing would be
more acceptable than music. One needs
but to watch the eagerness with which a
good street piano is welcomed to be con-
vinced of this, but even the street pianos
are seen but little in the sections where
they would be most appreciated, for their
proprietors must live, and small coin is
scarce in the slums.
T F rumors current over the water be cor-
* rect, Mme. Patti may again honor us
with one of her farewell tours. No doubt
she understands what a drawing card her
new title is in this democratic country of
ours, and the opportunity of adding a good
many dollai-s to her bank account is an in-
ducement she cannot well resist.
#
I EONCAVALLO is said to be writing
*-** an opera, based on the novel "Quo
Vadis." The next thing, Kipling, Marie
Corelli and Laura Jean Libbey will be im-
mortalized in some of the musical forms.
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).