The talking machine world (July-Dec 1927)

136 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD July, 1927 IN THE MUSICAL MERCHANDISE FIELD— (Continued from page 135) Milwaukee Band Instrument Merchants Forecast Still Greater Sales Progress Field Which Band Instrument Exploitation Possesses Capable of Much Wider Expansion, They Believe— "They Like to Play" Makes Sales Milwaukee, Wis., July 5.— Band instruments are being used more than ever, judging from the amount of sectional and lay group band tournaments which are being held throughout the State, and music merchants in the city are confident lhat the band instrument business within the next few years will develop to heretofore unthought of possibilities provided more intensive exploitation is undertaken. A number of band instrument men of the city have attended the various band tournaments held in different sections of the State during the past few weeks. Vesey Walker, manager of the band instrument department of the KesselmanO'Driscoll Co.'s store, attended the tournament which the Wisconsin Volunteer Firemen staged in connection with their convention at Baraboo, Wis., in which twenty bands from various cities in the State participated. The Northwestern band tournament to be held at Waterloo, Wis., July 31, is expected to draw a large crowd of representatives from the northwestern section of Wisconsin. A. J. Niemiec, manager of the Flanner-Hafsoos Music House instrument department, and a most successful merchandiser of Conn band instruments, has announced that in all probability he will at• tend that concert. Mr. Niemiec is extremely optimistic with regard to the future of the band instrument business. He states that in his opinion people who now listen to band musicians with envy and admiration will own and play instruments of their own. "A few years ago," said Mr. Niemiec, "we would have had visions of overselling and a tight consuming market if we did the volume of business which is being done to-day. It seems that the farther we get into the development of the band instrument field the more we see to develop. I believe that there is an unlimited opportunity to improve upon what has been done, in spite of the fact that there has been great progress in the sale and distribution of band instruments. I hope that some day we merchants will have built up business so that it will be the exception not to be able to play an instrument." Mr. Niemiec further stated that in his opinion the musical training which is given by the organization of school bands is doing much to further music interests. "It is only necessary now for music dealers to make use of these efforts and to show people that music as an accomplishment need not be a rare occurrence." Vesey Walker, of the Kesselman-O'Driscoll organization, also was of the opinion that the extremely active interest in band instruments is caused, in part, by the musical education fostered among school children. He said that there is more active interest in band instruments in Wisconsin at present than in any other State. "The only difficulty in the situation is that we may be overselling ourselves," said Mr. Walker. "In view of the fact, however, that the field which the band instrument business offers for exploitation is large, this seems hardly probable." Holtonphones have been in exceptionally good demand at the Frank Holton band instrument store in Milwaukee, according to A. E. Borgeson, who reports that the business is keeping up quite well in all lines at the present time. In the music department of the Boston Store there is little demand for portable Victrolas or for ukuleles because of the poor weather, according to William F. Armstrong, manager. Mr. Armstrong states, however, that the higherpriced machines are selling quite well now. Well-known Artist Buys Gold-Finished Vegaphone Boston, Mass., July 6. — The Vega Co., of this city, announces the addition to its many boosters in professional circles of Charles Navarro, banjoist with Yerkes Musical Bell Hops. This orchestra, outfitted in the familiar bell hop uniform, is playing a very successful season at the Castillian Gardens, Valley Stream, L. I. Mr. Yom'H enjoy looking it over — THE NEW J^^^!^ CATALOG **0" NOW READY 84 Pages 285 Illustrations The most complete Drummers' Instrument Catalog ever published. Twelve Pages Natural Color Photographs. SEND FOR YOURS TODAY Instruments That Sell" : Co. Indianapolis, Indiana "Silver Bell" Banjos Send for illustrated book of Prominent Orchestra and Professional Players The Bacon Ban joCo.Jnc. GROTON CONN. Navarro plays a gold-finished Vegaphone banjo which attracts much attention not only in ensemble playing, but also under the spotlight in solo work. King Line Made Many Sales at Convention R. M. White Reports More Business at Chicago Meetings Than All Previous Gatherings Held Cleveland, July 6.— Officials of the H. N. White Co., manufacturer of King band instruments, returned last week from the Chicago convention of the music industries with the report that the firm did more business at the convention than at any previous one. In fact, according to R. M. White, secretary of the company, more business viras done than at all of the previous conventions put together. "A large number of new accounts were opened," stated Mr. White, "and it was excellent selling from start to finish, dealers reporting that business was picking up materially." The King display had a number of unusual features, including four new trumpets: Tiny Tim, less than a foot long; Liberty and Long Ton, regular models, and the Gargantua, a huge eight-foot trumpet. Tiny Tim is claimed to be the smallest trumpet made and the Gargantua the largest, but each is a perfect musical instrument. Another addition to the King line is the Cadet Sousaphone, which is designed for high school work, having a small body, is light weight, finished in brass, silver, silver and gold, and is low priced. New French horn models recently added to the line were also a part of the display. The advertising department of the company showed among its dealer helps a display board for use in the window or on the counter. It is five feet high and contains the 448 parts that go into a saxophone, and in the center is a King de luxe saxophone, the beauty of which is brought out by a rich plush red background. After the convention this display was sent to the Harry Brook Music Co., Chicago, King distributor. An interesting entertainment feature of the King exhibit at the convention was supplied by the Weurl Sisters, a saxophone quartet from Milwaukee. The Mayes Music Shop, Durant, Okla., has opened a branch store at Sulphur, Okla., under the name of the Sulphur Music Shop.