Exhibitor's Trade Review (Nov 1925 - Feb 1926)

February 20, 1926 Page 11 Alexander Keese (insert to right) and his Palace Theatre, Dallas, Texas, orchestra which was recently augmented to make possible an improved score for the pictures shoicn. Striking a New Key Note for Theatre Orchestras A NEWS item to the effect that the Palace Theatre, way out in Dallas, Texas, recently augmented the orchestra by several men, came to the attention of the editors of Exhibitors Review. They wrote to the orchestra leader and asked him some very pertinent questions about the why and wherefore of the change. Figuring that good musicians are worth about sixty to seventy-five dollars a week in motion picture theatres (average union scale), it meant a neat little investment for the owners of the theatre to make the four or five new additions. But from the tone of Keese's answer, it was no doubt thought a very equitable investment. trons of the theatre who attend these wonderful concerts on Sunday afternoons are not going to have much patience with the ordinary washywilly musical programs that usualy result from hastily thrown together orchestras, planned more for conservation of expense than for entertainment value. And so, the theatre allowed Mr. Keese The Palace Theatre is a first class house, and as such, must uphold certain traditions of good presentations. One of the features of this theatre was a Sunday afternoon symphony concert, which has been in progress for the past eighteen weeks. These concerts have become a recognized part of the social life of Dallas, and the many music lovers have come to expect only the best of music. On these afternoons the orchestra is augmented with local talent to forty men. Music of a pure symphonic nature is rendered. To the readers who are acquainted with music, it would be of interest to know that Beethoven's C Minor and Tschaikowsky's Pathetique are part of the repertoire. Now, it stands to reason that the pa Golf is Not a Parlor Game NEITHER should an orchestra leader who has no more than twelve musicians under his baton attempt any of the standard overtures. The results might be just as disastrous as shooting the little white pill in a parlor. That is only one angle of many that were treated by Mr. Alexander Keese, musical director of the Palace Theatre, Dallas, Texas, in a letter to Exhibitors Review. One other matter was the giving of Sunday afternoon concerts with an augmented orchestra, and on this page that usage is explained. materially the scope of music that could be played, as for example, Mendelssohn scores which make a varied use of the horns in the ensemble. THE impression of this new spirit on the audience was also immediate. The pictures could be better scored because of the increased scope of selection of music. The music could be more of a continuous nature throughout the filming of the feature because with the added men to bear the physical brunt of the playing, the orchestra could be manipulated in two sections, one section tacit while the other performed. Mr. Keese wrote of many other very interesting things in his letter. But this idea of Sunday afternoon concerts struck us as having great possibilities in cities that are too small to boast of a regular music hall. to add two French horns, a second clarinet and a second cello. The beneficial effect of these instruments upon the orchestra were remarkable. First, they made actual performance better, and resulted in a really balanced orchestration. It also increased If you have a real musician at the head of your orchestra, he can easily train a local orchestra to do just what Mr. Keese has done. Then you can take your place, where you as an exhibitor, rightly belong, as one of the leading civic men in your city, giving to your city the better things in life — two sources of pleasure and entertainment, the silent drama and music — instead of on.y one as in the past. Your orchestra leader will work hand and hand with you on any such developments, for it is part of the existence of a musician. He likes to play, and if you can add some interest to his job, you'll be getting much more in return than his weekly salary.