Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
JUNE 28,
1924
THE
MUSIC TRADE
51
REVIEW
Mtfflts
Increased Sheet Music
"Don't Mind the Rain" Is
Representing Two Highlands
Sales in Hongkong, China
Proving a Best Seller Herewith is a photograph of Victor Young,
Most of Popular Dance Music Comes From
United States, Says U. S. Consul, With Ballads
From England
Special Campaigns on the Number Bringing
Excellent Results in Point of Sales—An At-
tractive Window Display
Through the United States Department of
Commerce, Consul Leroy Webber, Hongkong,
China, reports that there is a good demand for
sheet music in that city, and dealers report a
marked improvement in this line during the
past few years. The 1923 sales were valued at
approximately $2,500, of which amount it is
estimated that 30 per cent represented dance
music and popular songs and the remainder
classical, semiclassical and band music. Prac-
tically all of the sales are confined to the for-
eign residents of the colony and the more pros-
perous class of Chinese. Jazz music is increas-
ing in popularity, a condition attributed to the
return of large numbers of Chinese who have
been educated in the United States and Europe.
Hongkong being a British colony, with a large
number of British residents, the chief demand
has been for songs and semiclassical and band
music popular in the United Kingdom; and the
bulk of this class of trade has been supplied
by English firms. Imports from the United
States have consisted chiefly of dance music
and popular songs, while most of the classical
music was secured from continental Europe.
However, local dealers report that they have
lately been able to secure a very good selection
of classical and semiclassical music in portfolio
and album bindings from the United States and
that American sales of such music are on the
increase.
Prices which have remained firm during the
past twelve months are quoted by the large
retailers as follows: Popular songs and dance
music, 30 cents to 40 cents; semiclassical, classi-
cal and band, 25 cents to 50 cents; albums and
portfolios, 25 cents to $2.50.
Among the songs that continue to keep sheet
music counters active is the Leo Feist, Inc.,
number, "Don't Mind the Rain." In recent re-
ports this song has been among the leading
former music critic for the Edison Recording
Laboratory, well-known concert pianist and
composer, taken at a demonstration of an Edi-
son machine before the Passion Players who
recently visited this country, and who were en-
tertained by Thomas A. Edison, Inc. Besides
their taste for music, the Passion Players have
one other thing in common with Mr. Young—
Two Highlands Represented
sellers and from present indications it will be
one of the most important offerings of music
dealers for the Summer months.
The J. G. McCrory store, Brooklyn, N. Y.,
recently made a special campaign on "Don't
Mind the Rain" and, in conjunction with this
sales drive, gave the title pages of the song an
exclusive as well as an attractive window show-
ing. The window attracted more than a little
attention which was reflected in the sales during
the week and gave the number much publicity in
the city.
FEIST HITS TAKE THE
they are mountaineers of Germany, and he was
born and reared in the East Tennessee Moun-
tains. His early life is well shown and de-
picted in some of Mr. Young's compositions,
which include "Mountain Girl's Lament," "Tho
Caterpillar," "Three Encore Songs" and "Jedg
ment Day," the latter being his latest work
The State of Delaware lias granted a certifi-
cate of incorporation to a new music publishing
firm which is to operate under the trade name
C. J. Potter Music Publishing Co., Inc.