The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

164 The Talking Machine World, New York, June, 1928 Victor Co. to Award $40,000 for Native Concert Compositions In Order to Encourage Musical Creation in United States, Victor Co. Will Award $25,000 for Symphonic Work and $15,000 for Popular Compositions For the purpose of encouraging musical creation in the United States, the Victor Talking Machine Co. on May 28 made formal announcement of its offer of awards aggregating $40,000 for native symphonic and popular concert compositions, which includes a single award of $25,000 for the best work of the symphonic type within the playing scope of a full symphony |lSERV)^J^^^UM£NTSll a. c. Portable d. c. Laboratories Most Complete Test Sets Ever Designed SUPREME MODEL IO0A Radio Service I n strum en t and Traveling Case Instrument lifts out of case. Fully equipped with instrument, all tools, and supplies necessary for a service man to step out on a job. This case contains compartments for everything and has a tube shelf designed for instant accessibility hut absolute protection to tubes. Under this swinging shelf are felt-Lined compartments for small tubes, oscillator coils, etc. Has lock and key. Strong leatherette covered case, size 1036x18x7 inches. Price complete, $98.50 net. Equipri'd with large AC meter 0-3. 0-18, O-150 volt triple scale with leads, in leather case. $11.00 extra. Installment Plan: $28.50 Cash and $10.00 Monthly. mm Patents Applied For SUPREME MODEL 80A RADIO SERVICE INSTRUMENT, STORE CASE Cover has slip hinges for removal Fully equipped with instrument, special test cords, adaptors, coils, and everything needed to test radios and demonstrate in the store or on counter. Cover has compartment to hold all accessories. Has lock and key. Strong leatherette covered carrying case, size 7x18x5% inches. PRICE COMPLETE $89.50 NET Equipped with large AC meter 0-3. OlS, O-150 volt triple scale with leads. In leather case $11.00 extra BOOKLET ON SERVICE READY FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION The Supreme Instruments Corporation of Greenwood, Miss. , makers of the Supreme radio service instruments and portable laboratories, have recently received a G4-page booklet from the press, entitled, "How to Service Radios and Money Making in Radio Service," which will be mailed free to all dealers and service men requesting same. This large booklet of 30,000 words is written in an entertaining manner and has numerous subjects of interest to the service man. Something new started by this concern for users of Supreme instruments is the newly created branch of the engineering department which helps the service man in his difficult service problems. This service is free to Supreme users at all times and is run by practical service men and a former radio editor. THE SUPREME IEISTSUMEHTS CORP. VOOO, MISSISSIPPI orchestra, which is believed to be the largest amount ever offered for a single composition. The offer of the Victor Co. was presented before a distinguished group pi patrons of music, musical critics, artists and writers at a dinner at the Savoy-Plaza Hotel by John Erskine, president of the Juilliard School of Music and prominent author, and was broadcast over Station WJZ, New York, and affiliated stations of the Blue Network of the National Broadcasting Co. Mr. Erskine was introduced by Rudolph Ganz, noted pianist and former conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, acting as toastmaster, who in turn had been presented to the guests by E. E. Shumaker, president of the Victor Talking Machine Co. The competition, as explained by Mr. Erskine, is in two divisions, one for a work of the symphonic type, and one for a concert composition within the playing scope of the American dance, jazz, symphonic jazz or popular concert orchestra type of musical organization. For the best composition within the playing scope of the symphony orchestra a single award of $25,000 is offered. While no specific restriction is being imposed upon contestants, the hope has been expressed by the Victor Co. that out of the competition may come a symphonic work which will be truly American in conception. For the best composition in the so-called jazz or symphonic jazz idiom an award of $10,000 is offered, and for the second-best composition in this class $5,000 is offered. The board of judges who will pass upon the symphonic manuscripts is composed of the following distinguished musicians and conductors: Mme. Olga Samaroff, concert pianist and musical critic; Rudolph Ganz, former conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; Leopold Stokowski, conductor of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra; Serge Koussevitsky, conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Frederick Stock, conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Judges for the popular competition will be announced at a later date. Because the competition is a movement definitely to encourage American creative music, it is open only to composers of American citizenship, and manuscripts submitted by those not within this classification will not be considered. This restriction applies to both divisions E. E. Shumaker of the competition. The ^official rules are obtainable from the donors of the award, In offering separate awards for two distinct types of compositions the Victor company recognized "a clear division among the ideals of American composers," as explained in the rules. Because of the essentially different problems of composition involved in the two classes, participants in the symphonic competition will be given one year in which to submit manuscripts, while those competing in the jazz class will have five months for composition. Both competitions opened May 28, 1928. Symphonic manuscripts must be submitted not later than midnight of May 27, 1929, and the award will be announced on October 3, 1929. Jazz compositions must be submitted on October 29, 1928, and the awards will be announced December 28, 1928. At the announcement dinner the speakers included, in addition to Mr. Erskine, Mme. Olga Samaroff, Ernest Schelling, both noted artists; Mrs. E. Stillman Kelly, president of the National Association of Music Clubs, and several others, including John Philip Sousa, the noted bandmaster, who led the orchestra with one of his march compositions. Reinald Werrenrath, the baritone, sang a number for the edification of the guests, and other entertainment was provided during the evening by the Victor Salon Orchestra, under the direction of Nathaniel Shikret, and by the Revelers. Hope was expressed by the various speakers that as a result of the generous action of the Victor Co. there would be brought to light a great symphonic work reflecting in no uncertain manner the spirit of America. Gulbransen Enters Radio Set Field The Gulbransen Co., Chicago, has announced the addition of a line of radio receivers, this division of the Gulbransen business being entirely separate from the piano department. The first Gulbransen receivers are furnished in two styles, a table model, retailing at $137.50, and a console model at $225. The Gulbransen receiver is a sixtube AC receiving set. It bears a name respected in the world of music, due to the prestige of Gulbransen pianos, built up over a period of years through consistent national advertising. The Gulbransen receivers are said to be instruments sturdy in construction, simple to operate and of great beauty from the standpoint of cabinet work. The Gulbransen radio line is now in production, and A. G. Gulbransen, president, announces that the first shipments will probably be made the middle of June. Back of Gulbransen radio products are Mr. Gulbransen's fifty years of experience and background in the music business. M ore than 150,000 people in the United States are already familiar with the reputation of the Gul bransen Co., through ownership of Gulbransen pianos. In making announcement of the radio receivers, Mr. Gulbransen stated that the piano salesmen will continue on piano activities in a division separate from the radio. The console model contains a built-in speaker, one-dial control, and* is produced in a walnut cabinet. The table model is also in a walnut finish. All of the public acceptance for Gulbransen products, built up through the firm's national advertising campaigns, becomes an additional asset in the merchandising of the new radio line. The company has announced that an aggressive advertising program has been prepared for the radio division. Increase Freshman Co.'s Common Stock — ( At a meeting of stockholders of the Charles Freshman Co., Inc., New York, on June 4, it was decided to increase the common stock of the company from' 225,000 shares to 500,000 shares of no par value, according to an announcement by C. A. Earl, president.