Presto

PREST 0-T I M E S
December 3, 1927
C. W. COLLINS ON THE
MORAL VALUE OF MUSIC
Director cf Conn National School of Music
Contributes Instructive Article to Glen
Ellyn Newspaper.
THINGS SAID OR SUGGESTED
A CONGENIAL
But I've no rhyming knock
For those with poor pin-block.
Why should the tuner mock
What quick jobs bring?
CHANGE.
"What's become of all the muckrakers who used
to write for the magazines some time ago," asked
the perpetual inquirer.
"To a large extent they have gone to writing smut
songs for the vaudeville and cabaret vocalists," an-
swered the wise editor.
* * *
When a young man thinks a girl's piano practice
is music—that is love.
* * *
There is a wide difference between the holiday
spirit and the holiday spirits.
* * :;=
THIi AXTHHM.
Once more the suitability of the national anthem
is questioned; this time by an organization which has
the hard-working theme "Peace" as its motive. The
"Star Spangled Banner" is too roystering in its lines
and the ladies of the organization would have Con-
gress substitute some good hands-across-the-sea
verses. It may happen eventually that we will be
unwilling to sing the version Congress decides upon
and that everybody will be forced to write his own
anthem. In case of such an eventuality the following
suggested versions of "Amerfca" may be acceptable:
The Good Dealers' Version.
My country, 'tis of thee,
Conies every chance to me
In gilt-edged notes.
When in competing dash.
Ardent but never rash
Chasing thy jingling cash
My spirit gloats.
The Piano Traveler's Version.
Dear land, expansive, wide.
O'er thee I love to ride,
Selling the line.
Land of the carload quest.
Where rivals never rest,
Home of the tipping pest,
Helluva time.
A good way to raise the wind is to make your ad-
breezy.
* * *
COME-BACKS.
Success isn't a matter of orders. It is the re-orders
that go to make success. For the piano dealer, for
instance, the good customer wrongly treated lasts
only until he finds out how worthless is the piano
he bought. One thing is certain; there is a "come-
back" on every piano sale. But whether it is a come-
back in more orders, a come-back in a returned in-
strument, or a fatal come-back in discredit depends
entire 1 }' on the dealer and his methods.
You may break .you may shatter the square as
vim will, but it keeps on returning to plague dealers
still.
Some people buy pianos on such a long-time plan
that they measure the passing of the years by the
due notes.
••'.••
The Skipping Dealer's Version.
Land of the factoree,
Wlierefrom the owners' free
Pianos dispense.
Consigned with pure delight
To foxy fly-by-night
Who sells, then stepping light,
Vanishes hence.
Mrs. Ethics' Version.
My country, 'tis of thee.
Comes the rascality.
Which makes me pine.
Land of the slurs and slams,
Crooked advertising lamms,
Roughhouse which kills and damns
Honesty's line.
Even
work.
t h e lowly
• . -
*
bod-carrier
*
*
is e n g a g e d
in upliit
••::
There's nothing standard about the poor piano but
trouble.
BOOK FOR CONTEST PROMOTERS.
A nation-wide expansion of the music memory con-
test is under way as the result of special efforts of
state and national organizations. This medium of
musical appreciation is being developed in a state-
wide way in several states. Another new publication
for use in these contests is the "Third Year's Music
Memory Selections," issued by the Playground and
Recreation Association from its headquarters in New
York City. That reproduces the third in the series of
contest lists prepared by Professor Peter W. Dykema
of Teachers College, and containing descriptive notes
on each contest selection.
The Piano Tuner's Version.
My country, 'tis of thee.
Earth's best pianos be,
Of these I sing.
S. E. Moon was unanimously elected chairman of
the Eederation of I'ritish Music Industries fur 'he
ensuing year.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER
In the Beacon of Glen Ellyn, 111., C. W. Collins,
director of the Conn National School of Music, Chi-
cago, writes about the "Moral Value of Music." Mr.
Collins resides in that charming suburb of Chicago,
has charge of music matters in the schools, and is
conductor of the Glen Ellyn Grade and High School
Band.
The very nature of music, says Mr. Collins, not
only tends to bring out the most worth-while traits
of character, improve the scholarship of the children,
but is also of a very practical value to them after
graduation. Continuing he says:
"Character building is the fundamental note in
education today. The ultimate test by which the
school system of which we are so proud must stand
or fall is its ability to form character, to send out
youngsters ready to take the : r place in the world
as high-minded responsible citizens. The new con-
ception of education can be felt in practically every
subject in the grade school curriculum. Mathematics
makes for straightforward, honest thinking. There
can be no fudging or sliding over in sums which
can be checked and proved back. History teaches
the lesson of moral values, the ultimate downfall of
the unmoral man. And so it is with the rest of the
school subjects. They can all be made, and we are
trying to make them, lessons in right thinking and
high moral standards."
Serving the same purpose of moral training and
character building, and often in greater degree, are
the so-called extra-curricular subjects, according to
Mr. Collins. These generally have a sugar coating
that the requr'red studies lack and are. therefore, ea-
gerly welcomed by the children. Music, art, athletics,
manual training and domestic science all have valu-
able lessons to teach and on these grounds alone jus-
tify the time and expense they involve, he declares.
"Take music for example," says Mr. Collins. "Musr'c
has been found the solution of many disciplinary
problems, It teaches the children the lesson of co-
operation, develops a sense of pride and self-respect,
and cultivates a taste for beauty and the worthwhile
tilings in life. It calls for infinite patience and per-
severance, quick think : ng, accuracy and similar worth-
while character traits. The grammar school that is
fortunate enough to have its own band and orchestra
is doubly blest as it will get and hold the children's in-
terest more than any other activity, it will keep the chil-
dren off the street, adds to their pride in their own
school and makes a real contribution to the com-
munity. The day is past when educators and parents
look on music as a frill to education, a side issue. It
is being recognized now for its true worth, and the
music organizations in schools are multiplying by
leaps and bounds."
YOUNGSTOWN FIRM RETIRES.
It has been announced that the Greenwood Co., 322
West Federal street, Youngstown, O., is to retire
from business. Harry E. and Paul Greenwood are
proprietors and it is said the move is caused by the
ill-health of Harry E. Greenwood, the senior partner.
The Greenwood Co. was established in 1897. The
entire stock of the store will be closed out and the
location relinquished about the first of the year.
PS SALESMEN
Outside Salesmen must be equipped so as to "show the goods." The season for country piano selling is approaching. Help your sales-
men by furnishing them with the New Bowen Piano Loader, which serves as a wareroom far from the store. Tt is the only safe
delivery system for dealers, either in city or country. It costs little. Write for particulars.
BOWEN PIANO LOADER CO.,
Winston Salem, N. C.
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