Presto

May 12, 1928
P R E S T 0-T I M E S
MUSIC MERCHANTS
MEET IN PHILADELPHIA
a modern two-story structure which will contain
about 10,000 square feet, which is expected to be ready
for occupancy some time in July. A substantial
section of the building will be devoted to radios and
victrolas.
PORTLAND, ORE., MUSIC
DEALERS ARE ACTIVE
Under Auspices of Pennsylvania Association
of Music Merchants, Dealers in All
Lines from Four States Meet.
TWO GOOD ADDRESSES AT
PIANO CLUB LUNCHEON
Free Music Lessons Offered by Sherman, Clay
& Co., for Which Over Two Hundred En-
rolled the First Day—Other News.
The convention of the piano, talking machine and
radio dealers of Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey,
Delaware and Maryland, under the auspices of the
Pennsylvania Association of Music Merchants, was
held at the Hotel Adelphia, Philadelphia, on Monday
and Tuesday of this week (May 7 and 8). Instead
of confining this convention to the members of the
Pennsylvania Association of Music Merchants, the
directors decided to invite all piano, talking machine
and radio dealers of the states named to join them.
Every dealer and employe was made welcome,
whether a member of the Pennsylvania association or
not, and no membership fees were collected. The
entire affair was held on the Roof Garden of the
Hotel Adelphia.
The list of speakers included Hon. Harry A.
Mackey. mayor of Philadelphia; Philip H. Gadsden,
president, Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; Her-
mann Irion, Steinway & Sons, New York, president.
Musical Industries Chamber of Commerce; C. J.
Roberts, president, National Association of Music
Merchants; Alfred L. Smith, general secretary,
Musical Industries Chamber of Commerce; C. M.
Tremaine, director, National Bureau for Advancement
of Music; Edward Boykin, director of publicity, Na-
tional Association of Piano Manufacturers; C. B.
Amorous, general sales manager, Aeolian Company;
Herbert W. Simpson, general manager, Kohler In-
dustries; Roy A. Forbes, general sales manager.
Victor Talking Machine Co.; Joie L. Ray, general
sales manager, Radio Corporation of America; J. E.
Henderson, manager, record sales, Brunswick Co.;
Paul M. Klugh, vice-president, Zenith Radio Cor-
poration; R. E. Smiley; P. A. Ware; Dorothy Martin,
Camden, N. J., Victor Co.; Frederick E. Sard, New
York, director, Schubert Centennial, Columbia Phono-
graph Co.; Richard W. Lawrence, president, Bankers'
Com. Security Corp.; Francis S. Chapman, dean,
Temple University Law School; James Francis Cook,
editor, "Etude"; W. S. Pearce; Prof. R. C. Borden,
and Prof. Alvin C. Busse.
Special luncheons were served Monday and Tues-
day on the Roof Garden of the Hotel Adelphia. On
Monday night there was a special entertainment, con-
cert and dance. On Tuesday evening the grand
banquet was held, at which Mayor Mackey of Phila-
delphia and the finest speakers in the entire music
trade spoke. Special entertainment features were pre-
sented through the courtesy of the various phono-
graph and radio companies participating in the
convention.
The Convention Committee comprised G. C. Rams-
dcll, chairman, Ramsdell & Son, Philadelphia, presi-
dent, Philadelphia Piano Trade Association; A. C.
Weymann, H. A. Weymann & Son; George Miller,
F. A. North Co.; G. W. Witney, C. J. Heppe & Son.
OLD PIANO USED IN
BALTIMORE RECITAL
C. Edward Phorney Describes Recreational
Advantages Close to Chicagoans, and
Eugene Whalen Tells of the Amazing
Enthusiasm in Piano Tournament.
"One Hundred Miles Around Chicago" was the
title of a very descriptive and illuminating talk that
pointed out the many recreational advantages that
are available within 100 miles of Chicago by C.
Edward Phorney of the Commonwealth Edison
Recreational Department at the luncheon this week of
the Piano Club of Chicago. E. V. Lapham introduced
Mr. Phorney, who got his message across in a pleas-
ing way.
Following Mr. Phorney's talk, Eugene Whalen of
the committee of promotion of the Piano Playing
Tournament told of the progress of the contest pre-
liminaries and dwelt with satisfaction on the amazing
display of enthusiasm of the boys and girls of the
schools.
"It would be a revelation to members, not to say
people outside of the music trade, to note the ardor
of the school heads and teachers and the joyousness
of the young folks at their participation in the con-
tests," said Mr. Whalen. "The tournament this year
far exceeds in interest the ev«nt of last year, and its
results in piano sales are plainly noticed in the trade
even at this early period," he said.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
At the closing session of the New York State Music
Merchants' Association at Syracuse last week the
nominating committee presented the following slate
of officers for the coming year, which was adopted
unanimously: Honorary president, Sidney H. More-
croft; president, E. R. Weeks. Binghamton; first
vice-president, J. J. Glynn, New York City; second
vice-president, B. E. Ncal, Buffalo; secretary, Ken-
neth Marks, Elmira; treasurer, F. W. Bush, Pen Yan.
and directors for three years, M. J. Slason, Malone:
I 1 ". II. Scudder, Albany, and Harry N. Leiter,
Syracuse.
The association accepted the most cordial invitation
of Binghamton to hold next year's convention in that
citv.
WALTER LANE'S TRIP.
Walter Lane
Holland, Mich.,
Saturday, April
months' tour of
of the Bush & Lane Piano Co.,
and wife sailed on the "America,"
2 ! , from New York for a three
Europe.
Sherman, Clay & Co. of Portland, Ore., has en-
rolled over 200 children of the city for free music
lessons on the piano, violin, banjo, saxophone, or
any instrument they may choose, the only condition
being that they never have had musical instruction
previously. A course of eight weeks has been ar
ranged. Announcement of the lessons was made by
advertisements in the papers and over the radio, and
the 200 were enrolled within a week. It was expected
that 500 would have signed up by May 1 when the
lessons started. Prominent certified music teachers
will give instructions, with instruments furnished the
pupils free of cost for the occasion. This is being
done by Sherman, Clay & Co. to demonstrate to
parents the new methods of teaching music and also
for them to find out if their children have any musical
ability, without their having to purchase instruments
or pay instructors to start them.
Walter White of the Hyatt Music Company of
Portland, Ore., who last week resigned his position
as manager of the piano department of the firm to go
into the Frigidaire company's branch in that city, is
back again in his old position. Mr. White had been
15 years in the piano business and could not resist
the musical call.
Frank Lucas Goes East.
Frank Lucas of the Seiberling, Lucas Music Co.
of Portland, Ore., left April 23 for Chicago, and
before leaving said he might extend his trip to New
York. Mr. Lucas and Mr. Seiberling recently an-
nounced their purpose of severing their partnership
relations, which have extended over many years, and
Mr. Lucas announced that upon his return he would
have an important statement to make.
NEW A. P. COMPANY AGENTS
The American Piano Company, New York, an-
nounces an additional list of dealers who have been
appointed sole agents for the company lines:
The M. O'Neil Company, Akron, Ohio.
E. E. Forbes & Sons Piano Co., Birmingham, Ala.
Christena-Teague Piano Co., Indianapolis, Ind.
Glen Bros.-Roberts Piano Co., Salt Lake City, Utah.
Thearle Music Co., San Diego, Cal.
Jones Piano Co., Des Moines, la.
J. O. Adams Music Co., Wichita, Kans.
Thos. Goggan & Bro., Houston, Tex.
Redewill Music Co., Phoenix, Ariz.
Winter Piano Co., Erie, Pa.
Platt Music Co., Los Angeles, Cal.
Charles F. Cooper has opened a branch music
shop at 9219 Grand River avenue, Detroit, Mich.
WURLITZER FOR THREE IN FAMILY
Square Model in Possession of Stieff Family
for Over One Hundred Years Added
to Interest of Event.
One of the oldest pianos in the country, owned by
the Stieff family of Baltimore, Md., well known man-
ufacturers of Stieff and Shaw pianos, was used in
a piano recital over Baltimore station of WBAL
during a program that presented the "Story of the
Piano." The instrument which was built some time
between 1743 and 1800 was used to give the historical
narrative a musical background.
This piano is square in design, as all the early
pianos were, and though the keys are yellow with age,
the tone is still as true and mellow as the day it
was made. The piano has been in the family of
Frederick P. Stieff, member of the Stieff Company,
who will narrate this program for several genera-
tions. The musical selections which illustrated the
historic "Story of the Piano" were played by Sol
Sax, staff pianist.
The piano used, which is at least 128 years old,
and possibly 180 years old, is one of the most treas-
ured heirlooms of the Stieff family, which has been
identified with the piano industry for almost a cen-
tury.
Miller Bros., 244 North Patterson Park avenue,
Baltimore, furniture retailers, will open a modern
radio and victrola department in their new store at
3117-19 Greenmount avenue. The concern will erect
THE CRANCER COMPANY'S TRUCK.
Recently Ray Crancer of the G. A. Crancer Com- of the Wurlitzer grand that they persuaded Mr. Gies'
pany, Wurlitzer dealers of Lincoln, Neb., sold three two brothers, George Gies and Gerald Gies, to also
Wurlitzer grand pianos to three members of the Gies take Wurlitzer grands. The three instruments, loaded
on the Crancer truck, were delivered to the three
family of Beaver Crossing, Neb. F. L. Gies, accom- families in Beaver Crossing on the same day.
panied by his wife, called at the Crancer store, and
The Crancer Company is enjoying splendid bus-
were so well pleased with the tone and case design iness on Wurlitzer grands at the present time.
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