Presto
Issue: 1936 2280 - Page 3
PRESTO TIMES
AMERICAN
MUSIC TRADES-INDUSTRIES
Established 1884
1 Waiv. . .$1.00.
C Months. . . .60
rents
CHICAGO, ILL., SEPT.-OCT., 1936
Established 1881
JOURNAL
Fifteenth
of
Publication
Month
festival for the purpose of creating an interest in
than at any previous one—more lady dealers, proprie-
music, especially the piano, and the aim was that all
tors, clerks, salesladies. There had been years when
A GREAT CONVENTION YEAR
just one or two and not more than three ladies were those connected in the industry should benefit accord-
ingly. For instance, no player was accepted in the
in the halls of deliberation, and one year, at least,
IN MUSIC
festival except as entered by a regular piano teacher.
just unc solitary woman sat in the conclaves that
"The many details necessary to organize so large
year. She was very attentive and was on hand at
AMATEUR, PROFESSIONAL
a group can readily be realized when you consider
every meeting and did her work in committee well.
that the music must be selected for each group ac-
Although several associations which formerly helped
EDUCATIONAL, INDUSTRIAL
cording to age. It was necessary to have the music
to make up an imposing aggregation of interests along
for both players and artists arranged, adequate
with the Music Merchants' National Association have
NOTABLE FEATURES IN THE
marches had to be provided, practice groups had to be
cither ceased to exist, discontinued activities or
organized so that each group of players would have
CHICAGO GATHERING
dropped out entirely, yet several new organizations
an opportunity to practice beforehand. After they
have formed to help fill up the gap. The piano tuners'
had had numerous practices in groups of fifty to
organizations now hold their annual meetings at other
REVIEW OF HIGHLIGHT EVENTS
dates than contemporaneous with the music mer- seventy they were brought together in groups of
two hundred and twenty-five for final practice four
chants' group; the Phonograph Manufacturers' Asso-
weeks before the festival.
ciation has stopped short, and the piano travelers are
Since the close of the 1936 Music thinking about getting together again, which, it would
"One of the first things that was done in organizing
the festival was to arrange about the pianos, the
Trade Convention, in many ways the most im- seem, is a timely thing to do.
Wurlitzer Grand I'iano Company agreeing to supply
portant and best attended of any past gather-
Leadership as a whole of the annual conventions
ings, Presto-Times has made inquiries per- centers in the National Music Merchants' Association, one hundred and twenty-five pianos, but after the
was organized and a great amount of interest
sonally and by phone and has sent out scores as all the interests are brought together under the festival
shown by teachers, players and the public in gen-
of letters asking what was thought of the influence and, in a way, fostership and sponsorship, was
eral. It was soon seen by the interest created that
of the Music Merchants' Association which following
grand affair as a whole and from all angles.
it would be easy to sell these pianos, and plans for
the 1936 convention enters upon its 40th year. Other
Not a negligible reply has been received, not formations of selling and manufacturing interests join tying up the festival with the sale of the one hundred
one speaking in any way unfavorable or dis- with the music merchants and in this way are affiliated and twenty-five pianos were made. Letters to the
paragingly of the event, but every letter in with the work of the music merchants' association teachers announcing that the pianos would be for sale,
great or lesser degree has had praise for the though the relationship is not an amalgamation. The and through advertising and direct contact the month
work done and the outcome, the general en- Association of Retail Musical Instrument Dealers of May proved to be the biggest month of the year
came into existence in 1934 on a call sent out by Ray for piano sales and it was found that not only the
semble of results.
Lammers of Cincinnati asking dealers to meet at the festival pianos but practically all other lines in the
An inquiry has gone forth: "Why not make Medinah
store enjoyed a good sale, and we also found that
Club, Chicago. This association bears cer-
the big yearly gathering a four-day event tain characteristics
which are working features of the not only ourselves but all dealers in the city enjoyed
plus the preceding Sunday which seems a National Music Merchants' Association and the mem- sales from the festival. Many sales have been made
necessary get-ready day. The convention is a bership of this organization is largely interwoven directly as a result of the festival by other dealers.
big affair and one of many phases and angles. with the Music Merchants' Association, each with
"As an aftermath of the festival one of the out-
standing things to me is the fact that practically all
Tt is a strenuous three days of activity as now the other.
carried on and with the exhibit element so Mr. Wilking Explains About the Big Piano Carnival of the teachers represented in the festival, and many
prominent there is not much time for either
In connection with the moving pictures of the big who were not represented, want to be in the next
festival, and all are asking that the festival be made
the principals or their assistants to get to the Indianapolis piano carnival carried out under the an
annual institution."
meeting of any of the associations not to men- general supervision of Frank Wilking, president of
They
say that the violin student, or the student
tion the neglect that prevails in not register- the Wilking Piano Co., Mr. Wilking gave an interest-
who plays the horn or other instruments, is soon
ing
address
on
how
that
piece
of
managerial
and
con-
ing or paying dues to affiliated associations of
placed in an orchestra where he can play before the
their choice, headed by the Music Merchants structive work was carried out.
public and under a director. A piano student does
He
said
that
for
a
long
time
he
had
given
serious
Association. A day longer would be appre-
not have the same opportunity, and the 125 Grand
thought
to
the
idea
of
a
gigantic
piano
festival,
and
ciated by the exhibitors and would give buy-
i'iano Festival fills that need for the piano student.
while the plan was more or less arranged in the fall
ers a longer breathing and resting up spell.
They can look forward to playing in a large group,
of 1934 it was presented to a large musical sorority
under a conductor and before a large audience, which
It is estimated that 70 per cent of the total attend-
in Indianapolis with the view of presenting the con- gives them poise and ability equal to two or three years
ance at the convention this year—and the statement
cert in Indianapolis. "The undertaking was of such
of private teaching.
holds good as to last year's convention—of visitors
magnitude," he said, "and I saw that the whole re-
and others interested in one branch or another of
There are individuals in the music trade who favor
sponsibility would rest on me, and I did not feel at
music and what is going on in music, were not
that time justified in attempting the project. I con- a semi-annual convention instead of annually. The
members of the National Music Merchants' Associa-
tinued to work and presented the idea to the Wurlitzer thought has been expressed that the executive meet-
tion, and many also not members of any one of the (Irand Piano Company as to finding out how far they ing generally held in winter could be broadened out
other associations which were meeting concurrent with
for a mid-winter convention with displays and ex-
would go with me in furnishing one hundred and
the music merchants. Many who were there did
hibits. Then, on the other hand, there are merchants,
twenty-five pianos.
not register at the official registration desk although
"After carefully analyzing the idea it was easy to many of them non-members and non-participants of
something above 700 naim:s were registered. But
see that to derive the benefits desired from such an the association, who get a lot of good from convention
this simple registration did not mean membership in
undertaking it would be necessary to make it bigger activities through the reports that come to them from
any one of the organizations. With an official regis-
and
more spectacular than was first thought. It was convention headquarters, the trade papers and in other
tration of National Association of Music membership
then
decided to enlarge the scope of this project to ways. To such ones the occurrence of the meetings
of, say, 250-300, the entire attendance each day may
take
in
tiic entire state of Indiana and to issue an matters not MUCH.
be put down as 1,000 persons, which includes prin-
invitation to all piano teachers who wished to have a
cipals and attendants at exhibits, salesmen, miscel-
Evidently the Gulbransen factory at Kedzie
laneous representatives, professionals, various artists part. Considerable trouble was experienced in secur-
ing a list of piano teachers, but after this was finally and West Chicago avenues, Chicago, has been
and other visitors.
accomplished and the invitations issued to some eleven a center of special attraction for many of the
Many principals among the exhibitors did not regis-
hundred students of various grades in piano study.
music trade merchants who have been visit-
ter, and in several cases there would be only a few From this group eight hundred players were selected
ing
Chicago during the past several weeks, for
names registered from a commonwealth when the
together with twenty-five artists to play with each in the Gulbransen Monthly Bulletin many ex-
actual attendance from that state would be many more
group, making eight hundred and twenty-five in-
tracts from letters are published, speaking of
than shown on the registration cards. There was a dividual participants."
their Museum
visits (www.arcade-museum.com).
to the factory and placing of orders.
larger attendance
of content
ladies © at
the convention
this
year - The Musical
Enhanced
2008-2009
and presented
by MBSI
Society
(www.mbsi.org)
and to
the International
"The Box
desire
of International
the management
was
use the Arcade
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
AMERICAN
MUSIC TRADES-INDUSTRIES
Established 1884
1 Waiv. . .$1.00.
C Months. . . .60
rents
CHICAGO, ILL., SEPT.-OCT., 1936
Established 1881
JOURNAL
Fifteenth
of
Publication
Month
festival for the purpose of creating an interest in
than at any previous one—more lady dealers, proprie-
music, especially the piano, and the aim was that all
tors, clerks, salesladies. There had been years when
A GREAT CONVENTION YEAR
just one or two and not more than three ladies were those connected in the industry should benefit accord-
ingly. For instance, no player was accepted in the
in the halls of deliberation, and one year, at least,
IN MUSIC
festival except as entered by a regular piano teacher.
just unc solitary woman sat in the conclaves that
"The many details necessary to organize so large
year. She was very attentive and was on hand at
AMATEUR, PROFESSIONAL
a group can readily be realized when you consider
every meeting and did her work in committee well.
that the music must be selected for each group ac-
Although several associations which formerly helped
EDUCATIONAL, INDUSTRIAL
cording to age. It was necessary to have the music
to make up an imposing aggregation of interests along
for both players and artists arranged, adequate
with the Music Merchants' National Association have
NOTABLE FEATURES IN THE
marches had to be provided, practice groups had to be
cither ceased to exist, discontinued activities or
organized so that each group of players would have
CHICAGO GATHERING
dropped out entirely, yet several new organizations
an opportunity to practice beforehand. After they
have formed to help fill up the gap. The piano tuners'
had had numerous practices in groups of fifty to
organizations now hold their annual meetings at other
REVIEW OF HIGHLIGHT EVENTS
dates than contemporaneous with the music mer- seventy they were brought together in groups of
two hundred and twenty-five for final practice four
chants' group; the Phonograph Manufacturers' Asso-
weeks before the festival.
ciation has stopped short, and the piano travelers are
Since the close of the 1936 Music thinking about getting together again, which, it would
"One of the first things that was done in organizing
the festival was to arrange about the pianos, the
Trade Convention, in many ways the most im- seem, is a timely thing to do.
Wurlitzer Grand I'iano Company agreeing to supply
portant and best attended of any past gather-
Leadership as a whole of the annual conventions
ings, Presto-Times has made inquiries per- centers in the National Music Merchants' Association, one hundred and twenty-five pianos, but after the
was organized and a great amount of interest
sonally and by phone and has sent out scores as all the interests are brought together under the festival
shown by teachers, players and the public in gen-
of letters asking what was thought of the influence and, in a way, fostership and sponsorship, was
eral. It was soon seen by the interest created that
of the Music Merchants' Association which following
grand affair as a whole and from all angles.
it would be easy to sell these pianos, and plans for
the 1936 convention enters upon its 40th year. Other
Not a negligible reply has been received, not formations of selling and manufacturing interests join tying up the festival with the sale of the one hundred
one speaking in any way unfavorable or dis- with the music merchants and in this way are affiliated and twenty-five pianos were made. Letters to the
paragingly of the event, but every letter in with the work of the music merchants' association teachers announcing that the pianos would be for sale,
great or lesser degree has had praise for the though the relationship is not an amalgamation. The and through advertising and direct contact the month
work done and the outcome, the general en- Association of Retail Musical Instrument Dealers of May proved to be the biggest month of the year
came into existence in 1934 on a call sent out by Ray for piano sales and it was found that not only the
semble of results.
Lammers of Cincinnati asking dealers to meet at the festival pianos but practically all other lines in the
An inquiry has gone forth: "Why not make Medinah
store enjoyed a good sale, and we also found that
Club, Chicago. This association bears cer-
the big yearly gathering a four-day event tain characteristics
which are working features of the not only ourselves but all dealers in the city enjoyed
plus the preceding Sunday which seems a National Music Merchants' Association and the mem- sales from the festival. Many sales have been made
necessary get-ready day. The convention is a bership of this organization is largely interwoven directly as a result of the festival by other dealers.
big affair and one of many phases and angles. with the Music Merchants' Association, each with
"As an aftermath of the festival one of the out-
standing things to me is the fact that practically all
Tt is a strenuous three days of activity as now the other.
carried on and with the exhibit element so Mr. Wilking Explains About the Big Piano Carnival of the teachers represented in the festival, and many
prominent there is not much time for either
In connection with the moving pictures of the big who were not represented, want to be in the next
festival, and all are asking that the festival be made
the principals or their assistants to get to the Indianapolis piano carnival carried out under the an
annual institution."
meeting of any of the associations not to men- general supervision of Frank Wilking, president of
They
say that the violin student, or the student
tion the neglect that prevails in not register- the Wilking Piano Co., Mr. Wilking gave an interest-
who plays the horn or other instruments, is soon
ing
address
on
how
that
piece
of
managerial
and
con-
ing or paying dues to affiliated associations of
placed in an orchestra where he can play before the
their choice, headed by the Music Merchants structive work was carried out.
public and under a director. A piano student does
He
said
that
for
a
long
time
he
had
given
serious
Association. A day longer would be appre-
not have the same opportunity, and the 125 Grand
thought
to
the
idea
of
a
gigantic
piano
festival,
and
ciated by the exhibitors and would give buy-
i'iano Festival fills that need for the piano student.
while the plan was more or less arranged in the fall
ers a longer breathing and resting up spell.
They can look forward to playing in a large group,
of 1934 it was presented to a large musical sorority
under a conductor and before a large audience, which
It is estimated that 70 per cent of the total attend-
in Indianapolis with the view of presenting the con- gives them poise and ability equal to two or three years
ance at the convention this year—and the statement
cert in Indianapolis. "The undertaking was of such
of private teaching.
holds good as to last year's convention—of visitors
magnitude," he said, "and I saw that the whole re-
and others interested in one branch or another of
There are individuals in the music trade who favor
sponsibility would rest on me, and I did not feel at
music and what is going on in music, were not
that time justified in attempting the project. I con- a semi-annual convention instead of annually. The
members of the National Music Merchants' Associa-
tinued to work and presented the idea to the Wurlitzer thought has been expressed that the executive meet-
tion, and many also not members of any one of the (Irand Piano Company as to finding out how far they ing generally held in winter could be broadened out
other associations which were meeting concurrent with
for a mid-winter convention with displays and ex-
would go with me in furnishing one hundred and
the music merchants. Many who were there did
hibits. Then, on the other hand, there are merchants,
twenty-five pianos.
not register at the official registration desk although
"After carefully analyzing the idea it was easy to many of them non-members and non-participants of
something above 700 naim:s were registered. But
see that to derive the benefits desired from such an the association, who get a lot of good from convention
this simple registration did not mean membership in
undertaking it would be necessary to make it bigger activities through the reports that come to them from
any one of the organizations. With an official regis-
and
more spectacular than was first thought. It was convention headquarters, the trade papers and in other
tration of National Association of Music membership
then
decided to enlarge the scope of this project to ways. To such ones the occurrence of the meetings
of, say, 250-300, the entire attendance each day may
take
in
tiic entire state of Indiana and to issue an matters not MUCH.
be put down as 1,000 persons, which includes prin-
invitation to all piano teachers who wished to have a
cipals and attendants at exhibits, salesmen, miscel-
Evidently the Gulbransen factory at Kedzie
laneous representatives, professionals, various artists part. Considerable trouble was experienced in secur-
ing a list of piano teachers, but after this was finally and West Chicago avenues, Chicago, has been
and other visitors.
accomplished and the invitations issued to some eleven a center of special attraction for many of the
Many principals among the exhibitors did not regis-
hundred students of various grades in piano study.
music trade merchants who have been visit-
ter, and in several cases there would be only a few From this group eight hundred players were selected
ing
Chicago during the past several weeks, for
names registered from a commonwealth when the
together with twenty-five artists to play with each in the Gulbransen Monthly Bulletin many ex-
actual attendance from that state would be many more
group, making eight hundred and twenty-five in-
tracts from letters are published, speaking of
than shown on the registration cards. There was a dividual participants."
their Museum
visits (www.arcade-museum.com).
to the factory and placing of orders.
larger attendance
of content
ladies © at
the convention
this
year - The Musical
Enhanced
2008-2009
and presented
by MBSI
Society
(www.mbsi.org)
and to
the International
"The Box
desire
of International
the management
was
use the Arcade
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).