The talking machine world (Apr-June 1921)

May 15, 1921 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 107 MEMORY CONTEST IN PORTLAND, ORE. Nearly 1,000 Contestants in Great Music Memory Contest Held Recently Under Auspices of Music and Talking Machine Dealers Portland, Ore., May 4. — Portland's first music contest came to a close Friday afternoon, April 15, at the Public Auditorium and was a great success from every standpoint, and the fine records made by the children exceeded the fondest hopes of those in charge. Comparative records show that the Portland contest was the most successful from a standpoint of popularity, number and results of any of the contests which have been held throughout the country under the auspices of the National Bureau for the Advancement of Music. A great deal of the credit belongs to E-velyn McFarland McClusky, of the educational department of Sherman, Clay & Co., "who devoted all of her time and thought to making it a success. Mrs. McClusky received her preparation in the East, studying at the Victor factory at Camden, N. J , to fit her for just this type of work. The Portland-school children called her "The Victrola Lady." Fifty classical compositions were studied by the pupils and twenty of these were chosen for the final test and were presented to the children through the medium of a Victrola furnished by Sherman, Clay & Co., and a Chickering Ampico supplied by the G. F. Johnson Piano Co. Twentyfour grammar schools and four high schools entered teams of fifteen pupils, making 420 selected entries, but 982 took the final test, as every child above 70 per cent at the preliminary tests vvas eligible for the finals. Out of this number twentytwo made 100 per cent and thirteen made 99 per cent, while all entries scored high. The Glencoe school scored highest, as six out of the team of fifteen scored 100 per cent, and to this school was given a handsome picture of "Beethoven and Friends" hy the Federated Music Clubs of Portland. The Creston school was second and received a prize of $20 in gold from the Parent Teachers' Association, while the Oakley Green school won the third prize, $10 in gold, given by the Musicians' and Woman's clubs. These schools will purchase records for their phonographs with the prize money. In addition, all those making 100 per cent and 99 per cent received a $1.75 record from the following dealers: Sherman, Clay & Co., G. F. Johnson Piano Co., Sieberling & Lucas, Bush & Lane, Hyatt Talking Machine Co. and the Wiley B. Allen Co. They were also the guests of the Portland Symphony Orchestra at their concert, April 20, being chaperoned by Mrs. McClusky. Also each contestant who scored 100 per cent received a certificate of honor and all who qualified for the finals received a certificate of merit. Sherman, Clay & Co. are being congratulated for starting such a movement in Portland, and as a result of the movement it is an assured fact that more time will be devoted hereafter to musical appreciation in the Portland public schools. Mrs. McClusky had the hearty co-operation of the Portland music lovers. VICTOR SHOP IN DEPARTMENT STORE Gottlieb's Concern in Kenosha, Wis., Establishes Talking Machine Section — Tastefully Arranged and Competently Managed Kenosha, Wis., May 7. — Gottlieb's department store of this place has just opened a talking machine department which will handle all the latest styles lines of Victrolas and records. This department is modernly equipped in all respects with commodious sound-proof demonstration booths. J. M. Jensen, for six years with the Joseph A. Pitts Co. of this city, will be in charge of the new department on the second floor of the Gottlieb store. After a year's operation of a music shop in Knoxville, 111., Mrs. R. D. McCracken is closing out her stock of talking machines and records preparatory to retiring from business. SEND=OFF FOR M. M. MITCHELL Buehn Phonograph Co. and Office Staff Present Mr. Mitchell With Handsome Traveling Bag on His Resignation From That Company Pittsburgh, Pa., May 10. — Mark M. Mitchell, for the past five and a half years manager of the retail store of the Buehn Phonograph Co., Edison distributor and dealer, resigned on' May 1 to engage in private business and will locate at Warren, Pa. Mr. Mitchell's going was keenly regretted by the Buehn management, as he was well liked and was highly esteemed. The firm and sales and office stafif presented Mr. Mitchell with a handsome leather traveling bag. On Tuesday evening. May 3, some of the members of the office and sales staff of the retail store who had been more intimately connected with Mr. Mitchell tendered him a farewell dinner. The arrangements for the dinner, which was held in a private dining room in the Paris Inn, were made by Mrs. Claudine Barnes and Mrs. Ruth Owens. An elaborate dinner was served. Brief remarks eulogistic of Mr. Mitchell and his work and bidding him Godspeed were made by A. A. Buehn, treasurer of the company; Mrs. Barnes, Mrs. Owens and C. C. Latus. Others present were Mrs. Maynard Phipps, formerly Miss Marie Kinney; Miss Orilla Berry and Mrs. Mark M. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell made a brief response. Mr. Mitchell will be succeeded as manager of the retail store by L. A. O'Neill, who has been connected with that department for the past four years. Prior to that Mr. O'Neill was located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., with the Murray Smith Co., talking machine dealer. REGINA CO. 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