15
MUSICAL COURIER
June 28, 1923
GEORGE FISCHER RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE
MUSIC PUBLISHERS’ ASSOCIATION OF UNITED STATES
Organization Goes on Record as Desirous of Furthering Interests of American Composer
ident; E. T. Pall, re-elected secretary, and Harold Flam-mer, re-elected treasurer. Practically every publishing house of any importance in this country had a representative present or communicated with the Association during the one-day session.
On Tuesday night the customary annual banquet was also held at the Astor Hotel. The distinguished speaker of the occasion was Carl Engel, of the Congressional Library, who was to have read a paper which he had prepared entitled The Element of Gamble in the Music Publishing Business. He did not follow his original intentions, however, but talked most instructingly on music publishing, its various problems, its history, and its results as an industry. Of course Mr. Engel’s remarks were very apropos in view of the fact of the long proposed idea of writing such a history which has been before the Association. The second speaker at the banquet was the Rev. Carl Weist. Paul Parks contributed several songs ; this singer recently won the David Bispham prize.	M. J.
Woman’s Club Asks for Gray-Lhevinne’s Return
The following is a copy of a letter received by Estelle Gray-Lhevinne :
My dear Madame Gray-Lhevinne:
I am still under the spell of your charm and the wizardry of your wonderful old violin.
You came to our little old Virginia town, like a ray of your dearly beloved California sunshine; you left a memory as full of fragrance as your own California gardens.
You fascinated us with your own vivid personality and your music carried us off our feet.
I was so pleased at your choice of program, for it seemed to have delighted every one of your audience, those of every taste. Our High School orchestra boys fairly radiate pride. When I asked one of them: “Did you see the old Cremona?” he pridefully said, “I touched it.” Another one said, “Why I didn’t know ’twas possible to make a violin do such things as she did with it.” Our musicians tell me your technic was faultless. May I tell you what I liked best? The G string melody and the Butterfly and the Wind, though I liked them all.
Our club has been congratulated in bringing such an artist to Suffolk and we do sincerely hope to be able to secure a return date and have you come again in the fall; this is the unanimous desire.
Next to the beautiful melody of your violin and your skill as a great artist and musician, your unspoiled naturalness has 90 impressed me that I wonder how it is possible for one who has swayed the hearts of so many to remain, so unspoiled herself.
Please accept the very sincere thanks of the Woman’s Club for yourself and their hopes for a return.
With my best wishes for your continued success, I am,
Sincerely,	(Signed) Mrs. Frank Holliday,
President Woman’s Club, Suffolk, Va.
Middleton Given Honorary Degree by Alma Mater
Indianola, Iowa, June 15.—Simpson College, where Arthur Middleton studied voice culture five years, conferred the degree of Doctor of Music upon her distinguished alumnus during the annual commencement just closed. Mr. Middle-ton was unable to be present but sent a letter expressing his appreciation of the honor to John L. Hillman, president, and Frank E. Borrows, dean of the Simpson Conservatory.
L. C. T.
impossible to keep people from losing good money, still, with the co-operation of the trade press and daily papers and the untiring efforts of the Better Music Bureau of the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce, conditions are greatly improved. All the combined efforts in the world could not stop some persons from sending their perfectly good money either to have their lyric set to music or their
© Underwood & Underwood.
GEORGE FISCHER, president of J. Fischer & Bro.
music supplied with a lyric by wholly unscrupulous fake firms. It is sure, however, that when such a faker is located, it is only a matter of days before it is in the hands of the law.
The following officers were elected for the coming year: George Fischer, re-elected president; Sam Fox, vice-pres-
The Music Publishers’ Association of the United States held its twenty-ninth annual convention at the Hotel Astor, New York City, on June 12, when George Fischer, of J. Fischer & Bro., was re-elected president. There was a fair size attendance only, due no doubt to the fact that a great many representatives of the various publishing firms had gone to Chicago the week previous to attend the Music Industries Chamber of Commerce. In looking over the various topics diseussed at the convention, the one of most interest generally was the suggestion made by George Fischer, president, that some sort of special recognition should be given to the American composer and his compositions. It was suggested that perhaps the music could be marked or stamped in some way so as to designate the Americanism of the composer. This was discussed in a limited way, with considerable opposition to any of the plans introduced, owing to the fact that some of the publishers have large catalogues of foreign publications and composers. It seemed to be the popular desire that there should be something to designate the American composer and even a catalogue was suggested. There really was nothing defin-nite decided upon, but M. E. Tompkins, of G. Schirmer, Inc., moved that the Association go on record as desirous of furthering the interests of the American composer as much as possible. This motion was seconded by Walter Fischer. The Musical Courier heartily agrees with George Fischer in his statement that it was time for the publishers to take cognizance of the necessities of exploiting the American composer. While he did not believe a great deal could be accomplished at this meeting, he was in favor of making a beginning. This was the most important subject discussed and should interest all immensely. Of course such questions as mechanical royalties and radio tax were also discussed.
The subject of marking all music with the actual net selling price was discussed in detail. Several houses have already begun to mark their orchestrations and octavo editions with the actual selling price. It was the majority opinion that the time was not exactly appropriate to make such a radical change from the old marking of sheet music, with its fictitious price, but it is hoped the public gradually will be educated to the new ideas.
Isador Witmark was chairman of a committee to report on a uniform royalty contract. The protection of the publisher and the composer was considered and particular emphasis was given to questions of the renewal of copyrights, which under the copyright laws is said to be rather complicated at the present time. These new contracts will be ready for distribution among the various publishers in a very few days.
A committee in charge of the fake music publishers’ campaign reported that there had been considerable activity during the past twelve months, and while it will be utterly
“DISTINCTLY ONE OF THE FINEST VOICES ON THE CONCERT PLATFORM.”
NEW YORK TRIBUNE.
“AN ARTIST TO HER FINGER TIPS.”
PITTSBURGH TELEGRAPH.
© George Maillard Kess!ere, B. P.
Management:
C H AS. N. DRAKE
507 Fifth Avenue, New York
(MASON & HAMLIN PIANO)
SUE
HARVARD