Music Trade Review
Issue: 1908 Vol. 47 N. 15 - Page 44
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
J . HAYDEN-CLARENDON. E d i t o r
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
SUBSCRIPTION, (including postage). United States and
Mexico, $2.00 per year; Canada, $3..">0: all other coun-
tries, $4.00.
Telephones—Numbers 4677 and 4678 Gramercy
Connecting all Departments
NEW YORK, OCTOBER 10, 1908
COMMENTS B Y - „
The almost indecent haste with which the
"popular" publisher falls over himself to give
away his music is forcibly demonstrated by the
prodigal liberality which he displays in carry-
ing on, what he is pleased to term an "Orches-
tra Club." In the majority of cases the pub-
lisher supplies band and orchestra leaders with
at least twelve orchestrations of his most popu-
lar numbers per year for the ridiculous sum of
$1. There are, of course, exceptions to t h n rule,
F. B. Haviland and Theodore Bendix, each of
whom charge $2 annually for their club mem-
bership, being among the most prominent mem-
bers of the music publishing fraternity, which
come to the writer haphazard. These two pub-
lishers may possibly clear their expenses, so
far as their orchestrations are concerned, but
it is a palpable fact that at the present prices
of labor, paper, etc., no publisher can carry on
an orchestra club other than as a loring propo-
sition at a membership fee of $1 per year. It may
be a small, or it may be a large leak, but it
must be taken into consideration that, large or
small, the leak is one of many, which have lit-
erally put the music publishing industry in the
same category as a water-logged vessel.
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
The Eccentricity of Genius.
be amusing that these supposedly business men
Far be it from the writer to underestimate the were apparently oblivious of the fact that each
band and orchestra as a means of popularizing and every subscription which they joyfully speak
instrumental music, or indeed music of any de- of is nothing more or less than a dead loss to
scription; but, unfortunately, bands and orches- their business and an exti-a shackle to the
tras for the most part are shrinking, timid or- credit side of their balance sheet. Let us look
ganizations and modestly refrain from taking into figures. If twelve numbers are given for
the initiative in anything. In this wise, they each subscription (one each month that is), the
patiently wait until a song or musical number cost is approximately as follows: Printing twelve
becomes popular before they exploit it; and numbers, 2 cents each, 24 cents; postage, 2 cents
even then they oftentimes do not play it until each, 24 cents; wrapper and addressing, VL> cent
requested to do so by one or more of their each month per club, G cents; cost of keeping
patrons. It is conceded that there never was club subrcription books or card system, labor,
a "rong hit" made by its being played on bands blanks, etc., at least 50 cents per year per club;
or orchestras, but it is true to a certain ex- total, $1.04. These figures do not include cost of
tent that after a song has reached a large de- plates, advertising or arranging. Frequently
gree of popularity bands and orchestras may help there are fifteen numbers given per year, as weil
it to a certain degree. That is the time, how- as medley selections and medley overtures, which
ever, the public usually demand it. It is not a increase the cost of th& club at least 25 cents a
surprising fact that musicians are required to year. It can be seen at a glance, therefore, that
pay a price for their instruments which gives the average club subscription costs the publisher
the retailer a margin of profit. And ye: these at least $1.50 per year, and on the basis of a $1
same musicians, with that eccentricity which is subscription his actual loss on each and every
usually supposed to be part and parcel of
individual subscriber is no less than 50 cents a
genius, metaphorically weep tears of blood when year. These figures have been gathered from
required to pay for music which in the past ha?, all sources and may be safely said to be the
in most cases, been sold to them below the actual minimum outlay of the publisher.
cost of production. Of course, there is a certain
What We Are Driving At.
amount of reason in even free distribution of
One thing is certain. Bands and orchestras
band and orchestra parts in the case of instru- must have the tools of their trade, and the actual
mental number?. But these, too, are rarely music itself is every bit as important to mu-
played except when there is some sort of de- sicians as the very instruments upon which
mand for them.
they play. The leader of any important orches-
Some Facts and Figures.
tra, therefore, cannot well afford to stand in his
An unfortunate characteristic of the music own light for the sake of $1, or $2, or $10, or
publishing industry is its sheep-like regard for $20 a year. He must have material, and a little
the doings of its neighbors. Because A, while firmness upon the part of the publisher will con-
suffering from a bad attack of "Publishers' vince the greatest musical genius that there is
Pique" or some other form of publishers' insan- no hardship in paying for that material a sum
ity, establishes a precedent, B blindly follows consistent with a small profit for the publisher.
with an idea that he is "getting back" or "get- Two dollars per year, therefore, should be the
ting even" or getting something el-e on his con- minimum price for a yearly membership of any
frere. In this way the dollar-per-year orches- orchestra club worthy of the name, for, with all
tra club through sheer force of imitation has said and done, it is the publisher who smelts
become more or less general, in spite of the fact and refines the metal upon which bands and or-
that on its face, it is a losing proposition. On chestras may possibly place the hallmark of suc-
more than one occasion the writer has been cess. Again, 25 cents is by no means an un-
greeted by publishers, who, with a great joy de- reasonable price to charge for a single orchestra-
picted on their countenances have informed him tion. Will the publishing fraternity think this
that they had just enrolled twenty new numbers over?
to their orchestra club at a subscription price
Are You Sincere? Sure!
of $1 a membsr. Were it not pathetic it would
Not the least amusing incident of a somewhat
ItKINLEYIOWC
Costs You 3 Cents
Write To-Day for Simples and Special Offer
McKINLEY MUSIC CO. WM. McKINLEY, Pres.
158 Harrison St., Chicago
THE MOST POPULAR. PIANO PIECES
OUR LATEST ENGLISH
BALLAD SUCCESS
"ROSE IN THE BUD"
Music by
DOROTHY FORSTER
Four Keys, B6, C, D*>, E *
CHAPPELL & CO., Ltd.
37 West 17th Street, New York
A collection of 3T> standard
piano pieces arranged and in
some instances simplified by
the famous American com-
poser and musician, George
Rosey, intended especially for
the use of second and third
year piano students, and for
the use of amateurs who wish
to have good piano music
which they can play without
any great degree of technical
ability. The contents include
a wide variety of composi-
tions and is of such a nature
as to appeal to every lover
of piano music. Regular price,
7oc. Price to the trade,
2714c. per copy; 25 copies 01 more at 25c; 100 copies or
more at 22%c.
Published by HINDS, NOBLE & ELDREDGE
31-35
W e s t
1 5 t h S t r e e t ,
N
e
w Y o r k
NOW
74 5th Ave., N. Y.
READY!
All the musical numbers of that charm-
ing comic opera by PIXLEY & LUDERS
ii
Marcelle
C i t y
With LOUISE GUNNING
At the Casino Theatre, New York
AMALGAMATION
44
We beg to announce to the trade that the catalogs of the old established houses
is the unanimous opinion of press and publi c
T. B. HARMS CO. a n d FRANCIS, DAY & HUNTER
have been amalgamated and will in future be controlled by the T. B . HARMS & FRANCIS DAY CO.
We beg to thank the trade for past favors and trust to be honored with a continuance of your
esteemed support.
The new company has also established connections with the famous German firms of N. SIMROCK,
a n d BOTE & BOCK, of B e r l i n , to carry a full line of their publications. New price list on application.
T. B. HARMS & FRANCIS DAY CO.
1431-1433 BROADWAY
NEW
EVERY NUMBER A SUCCESS "
YORK
BE
P R E P A R E D
STOCK UP A T ONCE
M. WITMARK & SONS
NEW YORK
CHICAGO
PARIS
LONDON
THE
EDWARD LYMAN BILL - Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
J . HAYDEN-CLARENDON. E d i t o r
Published Every Saturday at 1 Madison Avenue, New York
SUBSCRIPTION, (including postage). United States and
Mexico, $2.00 per year; Canada, $3..">0: all other coun-
tries, $4.00.
Telephones—Numbers 4677 and 4678 Gramercy
Connecting all Departments
NEW YORK, OCTOBER 10, 1908
COMMENTS B Y - „
The almost indecent haste with which the
"popular" publisher falls over himself to give
away his music is forcibly demonstrated by the
prodigal liberality which he displays in carry-
ing on, what he is pleased to term an "Orches-
tra Club." In the majority of cases the pub-
lisher supplies band and orchestra leaders with
at least twelve orchestrations of his most popu-
lar numbers per year for the ridiculous sum of
$1. There are, of course, exceptions to t h n rule,
F. B. Haviland and Theodore Bendix, each of
whom charge $2 annually for their club mem-
bership, being among the most prominent mem-
bers of the music publishing fraternity, which
come to the writer haphazard. These two pub-
lishers may possibly clear their expenses, so
far as their orchestrations are concerned, but
it is a palpable fact that at the present prices
of labor, paper, etc., no publisher can carry on
an orchestra club other than as a loring propo-
sition at a membership fee of $1 per year. It may
be a small, or it may be a large leak, but it
must be taken into consideration that, large or
small, the leak is one of many, which have lit-
erally put the music publishing industry in the
same category as a water-logged vessel.
MUSIC
TRADE
REVIEW
The Eccentricity of Genius.
be amusing that these supposedly business men
Far be it from the writer to underestimate the were apparently oblivious of the fact that each
band and orchestra as a means of popularizing and every subscription which they joyfully speak
instrumental music, or indeed music of any de- of is nothing more or less than a dead loss to
scription; but, unfortunately, bands and orches- their business and an exti-a shackle to the
tras for the most part are shrinking, timid or- credit side of their balance sheet. Let us look
ganizations and modestly refrain from taking into figures. If twelve numbers are given for
the initiative in anything. In this wise, they each subscription (one each month that is), the
patiently wait until a song or musical number cost is approximately as follows: Printing twelve
becomes popular before they exploit it; and numbers, 2 cents each, 24 cents; postage, 2 cents
even then they oftentimes do not play it until each, 24 cents; wrapper and addressing, VL> cent
requested to do so by one or more of their each month per club, G cents; cost of keeping
patrons. It is conceded that there never was club subrcription books or card system, labor,
a "rong hit" made by its being played on bands blanks, etc., at least 50 cents per year per club;
or orchestras, but it is true to a certain ex- total, $1.04. These figures do not include cost of
tent that after a song has reached a large de- plates, advertising or arranging. Frequently
gree of popularity bands and orchestras may help there are fifteen numbers given per year, as weil
it to a certain degree. That is the time, how- as medley selections and medley overtures, which
ever, the public usually demand it. It is not a increase the cost of th& club at least 25 cents a
surprising fact that musicians are required to year. It can be seen at a glance, therefore, that
pay a price for their instruments which gives the average club subscription costs the publisher
the retailer a margin of profit. And ye: these at least $1.50 per year, and on the basis of a $1
same musicians, with that eccentricity which is subscription his actual loss on each and every
usually supposed to be part and parcel of
individual subscriber is no less than 50 cents a
genius, metaphorically weep tears of blood when year. These figures have been gathered from
required to pay for music which in the past ha?, all sources and may be safely said to be the
in most cases, been sold to them below the actual minimum outlay of the publisher.
cost of production. Of course, there is a certain
What We Are Driving At.
amount of reason in even free distribution of
One thing is certain. Bands and orchestras
band and orchestra parts in the case of instru- must have the tools of their trade, and the actual
mental number?. But these, too, are rarely music itself is every bit as important to mu-
played except when there is some sort of de- sicians as the very instruments upon which
mand for them.
they play. The leader of any important orches-
Some Facts and Figures.
tra, therefore, cannot well afford to stand in his
An unfortunate characteristic of the music own light for the sake of $1, or $2, or $10, or
publishing industry is its sheep-like regard for $20 a year. He must have material, and a little
the doings of its neighbors. Because A, while firmness upon the part of the publisher will con-
suffering from a bad attack of "Publishers' vince the greatest musical genius that there is
Pique" or some other form of publishers' insan- no hardship in paying for that material a sum
ity, establishes a precedent, B blindly follows consistent with a small profit for the publisher.
with an idea that he is "getting back" or "get- Two dollars per year, therefore, should be the
ting even" or getting something el-e on his con- minimum price for a yearly membership of any
frere. In this way the dollar-per-year orches- orchestra club worthy of the name, for, with all
tra club through sheer force of imitation has said and done, it is the publisher who smelts
become more or less general, in spite of the fact and refines the metal upon which bands and or-
that on its face, it is a losing proposition. On chestras may possibly place the hallmark of suc-
more than one occasion the writer has been cess. Again, 25 cents is by no means an un-
greeted by publishers, who, with a great joy de- reasonable price to charge for a single orchestra-
picted on their countenances have informed him tion. Will the publishing fraternity think this
that they had just enrolled twenty new numbers over?
to their orchestra club at a subscription price
Are You Sincere? Sure!
of $1 a membsr. Were it not pathetic it would
Not the least amusing incident of a somewhat
ItKINLEYIOWC
Costs You 3 Cents
Write To-Day for Simples and Special Offer
McKINLEY MUSIC CO. WM. McKINLEY, Pres.
158 Harrison St., Chicago
THE MOST POPULAR. PIANO PIECES
OUR LATEST ENGLISH
BALLAD SUCCESS
"ROSE IN THE BUD"
Music by
DOROTHY FORSTER
Four Keys, B6, C, D*>, E *
CHAPPELL & CO., Ltd.
37 West 17th Street, New York
A collection of 3T> standard
piano pieces arranged and in
some instances simplified by
the famous American com-
poser and musician, George
Rosey, intended especially for
the use of second and third
year piano students, and for
the use of amateurs who wish
to have good piano music
which they can play without
any great degree of technical
ability. The contents include
a wide variety of composi-
tions and is of such a nature
as to appeal to every lover
of piano music. Regular price,
7oc. Price to the trade,
2714c. per copy; 25 copies 01 more at 25c; 100 copies or
more at 22%c.
Published by HINDS, NOBLE & ELDREDGE
31-35
W e s t
1 5 t h S t r e e t ,
N
e
w Y o r k
NOW
74 5th Ave., N. Y.
READY!
All the musical numbers of that charm-
ing comic opera by PIXLEY & LUDERS
ii
Marcelle
C i t y
With LOUISE GUNNING
At the Casino Theatre, New York
AMALGAMATION
44
We beg to announce to the trade that the catalogs of the old established houses
is the unanimous opinion of press and publi c
T. B. HARMS CO. a n d FRANCIS, DAY & HUNTER
have been amalgamated and will in future be controlled by the T. B . HARMS & FRANCIS DAY CO.
We beg to thank the trade for past favors and trust to be honored with a continuance of your
esteemed support.
The new company has also established connections with the famous German firms of N. SIMROCK,
a n d BOTE & BOCK, of B e r l i n , to carry a full line of their publications. New price list on application.
T. B. HARMS & FRANCIS DAY CO.
1431-1433 BROADWAY
NEW
EVERY NUMBER A SUCCESS "
YORK
BE
P R E P A R E D
STOCK UP A T ONCE
M. WITMARK & SONS
NEW YORK
CHICAGO
PARIS
LONDON
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