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News From VHSource, LLC Vol 7 July 2012 T.B. Harms and Max Dreyfus

(1860-1906), making it the oldest firmly established The Other Behemoth American music publishing house devoted entirely to n perusing the April edition of this newsletter we popular song. You may remember that G. Schirmer realized that we had failed in June to deliver any was the oldest classical with an 1866 Idiscussion of the second giant of American founding date. Thus, in the American music history publishing - Max Dreyfus (1874-1964). This was not annuals, the big three music publishing houses were so much an oversight as it was a concern for space G. Schirmer (1866-serious music), T.B. Harms, since we had already consumed a number of pages in Inc. (1875-popular music) and M. Witmark & Sons, our discussion of M. Witmark & Sons, Inc. Inc. (1886 - theatrical). The brothers Harms did well enough for themselves that they soon had hordes of Just as M. Witmark & Sons, Inc. dominated the emulators and thus helped spawn . publishing of operetta and musical comedy from the However, post 1886, the house was eclipsed by 1890s to the 1930s, Harms, Inc. would do the same M.Witmark & Sons, Inc., which rapidly established thing from 1920s well into the 1960s. Ergo, to skip itself as the innovator and leader of the entire over Dreyfus would be a real disservice to the industry industry. NOTE: To read more about M.Witmark & as this gentleman probably ended up accomplishing Sons, see VHS newsletter Vol 6, Jun 12. even more than the Witmark brothers did in truly shaping the twentieth century’s and thus, America’s H o w l e y , huge domination of popular song as well as the golden H a v i l a n d & age of the American musical. Now, that is truly an Company (1893) amazing claim! was the first NYC music publishing While Dreyfus did not found a single new publishing house to employ house all by himself, he was the mogul pulling all the the skills of young strings from 1901 until his passing in 1964, in the Max Dreyfus following music publishing houses: T.B. Harms Inc.; who, at age 19, T.B. Harms & Francis, Day & Hunter, Inc.; became their first Chappell-Harms; De Sylva, Brown and employee. The Henderson; Remick Music; Green and Stept; youngster quickly Famous Music; Consolidated Music Corporation; b e c a m e t h e New World Music Corporation; and Chappell. He arranger for the also had a huge hand in launching almost every major f i r m ’ s t o p Max Dreyfus in the 1950s iconic musical composer after Victor Herbert. composers and also proved to be a fine “inside” plugger, meaning he The oldest of these publishing houses was T.B. was the one performers asked for on the premises to Harms, Inc. founded in 1875 by brothers Alexander teach them a new song. He considered himself a fine T. Harms (1856-1901) and Thomas B. Harms composer as well, and when, by 1895, an offer to publish did not seem to come forth from Howley 2 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 7 July 2012

Haviland, Dreyfus stopped by M. Witmark & Sons, time Dreyfus met this young man, T.B. Harms was Inc. to pitch his own work. They didn’t want his songs publishing every British and European musical and either, but they did want his arranging and pitching operetta imported into America. Dreyfus liked what skills. Dreyfus already had a reputation, and that was, he heard and hired him on the spot to both play and remains, gold. rehearsals for these imports and perhaps, write a song or two, here and there, when it appeared to be needed In 1898, the brothers Harms, faced with dwindling - in short, to be an uncredited music doctor. The sales, more important outside interests and a general composer’s first such interpolation was “Wine, lack of aggressiveness, lured Dreyfus away from Wine!” for An English Daisy which opened on Witmark by dangling the title Chief Arranger and Broadway on January 18, 1904. Thus was launched Occasional Composer. He was 24 years old, had spent the theatrical composing career of Jerome B. Kern three years in the employment of the largest music (1885 -1945) by Max Dreyfus. publisher in New York, and was already developing his own ideas on how to “run things.” Two years later The Harms relationship with Kern would then extend in 1901, not only was he managing T. B. Harms, Inc., to both Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (1881-1975) but Dreyfus owned a 25% interest in the company. and Guy Reginald Bolton (1884-1979) – both Dreyfus was definitely righting the sinking ship to the imports from Britain. In one astute hire, Dreyfus extent that he totally bought out the brothers in 1904. would land the single most influential composer of show tunes, theatre and film songs from the 1920s to the 1940s as well as the first truly literate set of lyricist and librettist to work full time in America. Bolton and Wodehouse would be huge leaps forward from Harry B. Smith and Henry Blossom.

Given the Harms involvement with British theatrical productions, it is not at all surprising that Dreyfus found his business approached by the British music publishing firm Francis, Day and Hunter with the idea of a merger. By this time, Max had also installed his younger brother Louis (1877–1967) in T. B. Harms, Inc. When the deal was signed, sealed and delivered, Max and Louis Dreyfus owned two- The team of PG Wodehouse, Guy Bolton thirds of the new firm of T.B. Harms & Francis, and Day & Hunter, Inc. while Fred Day owned one- third. By 1917 Kern’s successes allowed him to Dreyfus also had an amazing ability to spot rising decide it was time to invest, and he purchased a 25% talent. M. Witmark had the current big composers interest in the new firm from the brothers Dreyfus. safely in their “house.” Dreyfus found and hired the unknowns who would become giants, including In 1918, Dreyfus added another “find” to his staff Jerome Kern, Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, when he hired (1898-1937) to George Gershwin, and Vincent write songs for T.B. Harms for $35 per week, plus a Youmans. $50.00 advance and $.03 a copy royalty on each song Max accepted. The very first song accepted was one Young Dreyfus landed his first major discovery when entitled “Some Wonderful Sort of Someone,” sung he hired an 18-year-old piano player and composer. by Nora Bayes (1880 – 1928) in her show Ladies The youngster had caught Dreyfus’ attention on a visit First (produced by Alex Aarons) which opened on to rival Joseph W. Stern. The young man had had his October 24, 1918. Schuyler Green (1880-1927) first song entitled “At the Casino” published by the wrote the lyrics and the song was published under the Lyceum Publishing Company in 1902 and had just title “Look Who’s Here.” By May 26, 1919, returned from a year spent in Europe studying. At the Dreyfus’ gamble paid off again when the first 3 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 7 July 2012

complete score by George Gershwin, La, La Lucille brothers. Youmans’ first opened on May 26, 1919. Another famous American score was for producer composing career was off and running for Dreyfus. Alex Aarons who had given Gershwin his first The publisher also employed lyricist full score opportunity. (1895-1996) who had helped out with some lyrics for This time the show was La, La Lucille and who would also create with Gershwin in 1919 the song – “Swanee” – although it which opened May 3, would take Al Jolson’s (1886-1950) performance and 1921. George suggested recording of the song in 1920 to send it over the top, the hiring and talked his making it the biggest single hit Gershwin ever had. brother Ira into writing the lyrics. Youmans would go on to compose (1923), No, No, Nanette Eventually, George’s (1925), (1927) among 14 total b r o t h e r I r a Broadway productions as well as the movies No, No, Gershwin (1896- Nanette (1930 & 1940). Hit The Deck (1930 & 1983) would enter 1955), and (1933) – among a the songwriting total of 10 films. business in 1921, joining his brother The same year (1920), the for Lady Be Good in Government filed suit against the Consolidated 1924. Dreyfus was Music Corporation and its owners: , the trusted publisher Inc.; Leo Feist, Inc.; T.B. Harms & Francis, Day more than happy to & Hunter, Inc.; Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc.; help Ira on his way. Watterson, Berlin & Snyder, Inc. and M.Witmark Down the road in & Sons, Inc. The basis of the lawsuit was the 1927, Max Dreyfus, Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, a landmark federal George and Ira George and Ira Gershwin statute dealing with competition law. The purpose of Gershwin formed a the law was to prohibit certain business activities that subsidiary company, “New World Music reduced competition in the marketplace. This law Corporation,” to hold all Gershwin copyrights, with requires the Federal Government to investigate and Harms owning a major share of the business. pursue trusts, companies, and organizations suspected of being in violation. One might wonder Here an interesting juxtaposition occurs with the next what on earth could these fine reputable music Max Dreyfus protégé, who simply walked into the publishers have been up to that would attract the office with songs under his arm to impress the microscope of Congress? publisher. The year was 1920, and young Vincent Youmans (1898-1946, war veteran) had spent a good First, it’s interesting to note that these six publishing part of that year assisting Victor Herbert on Oui houses controlled 80% of all American popular Madam (1920). Said Youmans of Herbert: music publishing in 1920 and had formed the Consolidated Music Corporation for the sole purpose There are no treatises or instruction books of “controlling the piano roll business.” Yes, you on how to write an opera or musical read correctly - the publishing houses formed a comedy. Working with a man like Victor corporation to control the prices and royalties on all Herbert was the luckiest thing that ever piano rolls created using their music. Someone happened to me. No money could have complained to his senator about the rather sour smell bought the training I received in less than a year. of a “monopoly,” and Washington, in looking for a case to really solidify this act, moved quickly. Max Dreyfus hired Youmans as a composer and introduced him to Irving Caesar and the Gershwin Fortunately, the case never got very far because, on the good advice of their attorneys, all six owners of 4 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 7 July 2012

the Consolidated Music Corporation backed down and related to the Boosey family. The original British firm of dissolved their new corporation. However, it certainly Boosey & Company dates to 1792. By 1920 the primary was a testament both to the scope of the growth of Chapell Family members had passed away which is these houses since 1885 and the strength of the player partially why Boosey came knocking on the Dreyfus door. Eventually, Kemble & Co., Ltd. (Pianos) bought out the piano business (or, more accurately, the newly piano manufacturing side of Chappell’s business and the blossoming “entertainment” business) in America music store which continues operating today as Chappell from 1915 on. of Bond Street.

When the talking pictures began to take over Hollywood in the late 1920s, both Warner Bros. and M-G-M saw the advantage of owning large old New York music publishing houses who held valuable copyrights on all the famous popular songs. Warner Bros. made the first and surely most important move in swooping down to purchase M.Witmark & Sons, Inc. and Harms, Inc. in 1929. Max Dreyfus remained as a consultant to Warner Bros. until he took over management of the American branch of Chappell in 1935. The two brothers, Max and Louis, now controlled major holdings on both sides of the Atlantic. Their story goes on as each lasted well into the twentieth century with Max passing on in 1964 and Louis in 1967. In 1969, the part of Harms still Editing the Product owned by the estates of Louis Dreyfus and Jerome Kern was bought by band leader Lawrence Welk (1903-1992) and became a part of the Welk Music Being almost sued by the US Government was Group which may still remain in the Welk family actually not such a horrible thing, especially since it today. never really came to fruition. Now the whole world knew just who the US Government considered the We have now managed to hit the highlights of music major players in the American music publishing publishing from its beginnings up to 1930. Of course, industry. Thus, before 1920 was finished, William this has been only the tip of the iceberg, and again, Boosey of Chappell & Co. of London, appeared in we suggest that if this subject interests you, you pick New York at the offices of T.B. Harms and Francis, up a copy of David A. Jasen’s Tin Pan Alley, the Day & Hunter, Inc., at 62 W. 45th Street and Composers, the Songs, the Performers and their suggested a possible merger of the two entities. Fred Times, Primus, Donald L. Fine, Inc., New York, Day immediately sold his portion of the company and 1988. It makes for fascinating reading and will take moved back to London. Louis ended up managing you straight up to the 1950s and the passing of Tin Chappell New York before buying both the Pan Alley. American and the London offices of Chappell & Company outright in 1926, while Max became the When we began in January, Italy ruled the world of CEO of the newly re-named and re-incorporated music publishing. Now it was the pulsating energy of Harms, Inc. It’s not a bad thing at all to move from Tin Pan Alley, American radio, American musical being the owner with all the responsibility to the CEO theatre and American movies, fully seized and fueled with all the responsibility. NOTE: The British music by the composing giants of America that began to set publisher and piano manufacturer, Chappell & Co., dates the tone for the whole rest of the entertainment back to 1810 and was Beethoven’s as well as Gilbert & world. America had finally arrived. NOTE: To revisit Sullivan’s publisher. The William Boosey referred to here the whole story, simply see Vols 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the was on the Board of Chappell & Co. rather than part of 2012 VHS newsletters. All will remain available in the the future Boosey & Hawkes (1930), although he was Archived Newsletters portion of the User Menu at 5 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 7 July 2012

www.vhsource.com until January 2013. Remember you While Herbert never contributed an entire score to need to be logged in to see the User Menu. the Follies, he did have at least one “spectacle” number in every Follies from 1917 until 1924 – Spotlight On . . . stopping only when he passed away on May 26, 1924. There is in fact so much Victor Herbert music Her Regiment (1917) in the Follies that it warrants its own discussion after we finish with the operettas. For now it must suffice efore we explore No. 38, Her Regiment, it to say that the Follies run for Herbert began with the should be noted that 1917 was another one of Follies of 1917. Bthose extremely busy years for Victor Herbert. There were once again four separate creative The year also saw a true successor and sequel to No. outpourings, however, this time only two of them were 36, The Century Girl, which had opened in 1916. operetta in nature. Last month we began the NOTE: see VHS Newsletter Vol 5 May 12 to read exploration of 1917 when we discussed No. 36 Eileen more about this particular Herbert production. This which opened on March 19, 1917. new work, named very simply Miss 1917, continued in the same vein, being more revue than operetta and On June 12, 1917 opened in the same theatre, The Century (Central Ziegfeld’s Follies Park West at W. 62nd St.) on November 5, 1917 would open with a (almost exactly one year later than The Century Girl. bow to the newly As with the earlier show, the significance lay with begun American having two producers, two composers and one of the involvement in the biggest Broadway venues. This time Messrs. Ziegfeld G r e a t W a r and Dillingham chose to team Victor Herbert with (America had the up and coming composer Jerome Kern (1885- entered the fray 1945). Add to that the fact that a sort of book was on April 6, 1917) created by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse who with a special penned almost all the lyrics, and one again sees Finale to Act I Ziegfeld intent upon putting the best together with d e v o t e d t o the best and fielding a team spanning the 1890s into G e o r g e the 1930s. The only really lasting song from this W a s h i n g t o n , major teaming would be Kern’s “The Land Where Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson featuring The Good Songs Go.” a spectacular eagle, a fleet of American battleships which appeared to sail up to the footlights, and a Herbert’s contributions leaned a bit more towards the gigantic American flag. Scores of uniformed chorus “song” side than the scenic production side and fell boys escorted scores of beautiful girls as all sang and entirely within Act I. Appealing to America’s danced to Victor Herbert’s “Can’t You Hear Your patriotic enthusiasm and the fact that women were Country Calling.” Thus was launched the beginnings not to be left out of the war effort, Herbert wrote of an ever growing relationship between Victor “The Society Farmerettes,” celebrating the ladies Herbert and Florenz Ziegfeld, of which few typical staying at home and supporting the troops with their students of are truly aware. agricultural efforts. Since Herbert was already drenched in Irish sensibilities and loyalties from his Ziegfeld was a true connoisseur of the Huge Eileen experience, he took a last 1917 opportunity to Production Number. He loved “spectacle” – the bigger celebrate the songs of his grandfather, Samuel Lover the better! After his initial introduction to working (1797-1868) by working them into a rare double octet with Victor Herbert during the creation of No. 36 The number entitled “The Singing Blacksmith of Century Girl, produced jointly by Ziegfeld and his Curriclough.” Still, this was a Ziegfeld production, archrival, Charles B. Dillingham, Ziegfeld and thus, the biggest Herbert number was a ballet immediately saw the value of Herbert’s ability to paint scene, “Falling Leaves” danced and choreographed vivid musical images and atmosphere for spectacle. by Adolph Bolm (1884-1951). Bolm was a highly 6 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 7 July 2012

esteemed Russian ballet dancer and choreographer of Herbert’s composing output has simply never been who had danced with both Anna Pavlová (1881- equaled by another American composer. Add to that the 1931) and Vaslav Nijinsky (1889-1950) as well as for number of years – 13 – that he routinely opened at least ballet impressario Sergei Pavlovich Diaghilev (1872- 2 and often more new works on Broadway, and you truly have a giant in the industry. Yes, Cohan, Berlin, and 1929). In early 1917 he was injured while on a tour of even Kern wrote thousands of songs, but none of these America with the Ballets Russes and decided to stay prodigious fellows orchestrated all their own work – in New York. He would dance and choreograph for therein lies the most significant difference placing Victor the Metropolitan Opera Company but not before Herbert heads above everyone else. Ziegfeld scooped him up to work on Miss 1917. Her Regiment was a three-act operetta with a written by William Le Baron. Apparently, Henry Blossom was not available for this production. While LeBaron most likely does not jog any of your Broadway memories, he did do the and lyrics for 14 Broadway shows from 1910 through 1925 before moving to Hollywood in 1926 and turning into a very successful film producer. Le Baron has 43 film credits with Cimarron, the film that won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 4th Academy Awards ceremony for 1930/1931, being the biggest. You might also recognize Beau Geste (1926), Rio Rita (1929), Hit The Deck (1930), She Done Him Wrong (1933), and Springtime In The Rockies (1942). Adoph Bolm and Tamara Karsavina in “Firebird” in 1911 The producer of Her Regiment was the venerable Somehow, between the Follies of 1917 and Miss Joe Weber who finalized the contract with Herbert 1917, in mid-July and August, after a three week gig in July of 1917 although, according to Waters, the at Willow Grove with his Victor Herbert Orchestra, piece was already well into the publicity mill. Once Herbert managed to compose another operetta. Her again, the stalwart Fred G. Latham handled the Regiment had its birth in the wilds of Lake Placid in stage direction with Fritz (Frederik) Stahlberg as the Adirondack Mountains at Camp Joyland. Its first music director and Harold Sanford (now also ever production was on October 22, 1917 in the Court Herbert’s music assistant) as concertmaster (1st chair Square Theatre, Springfield, Massachusetts. It’s violin or principal violin I). Broadway opening was at the brand new Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street between Broadway The setting for the three act operetta is as follows: and 8th Avenue) on November 12th (a mere seven days It’s 1914 (pre-Great War) at a French military after Miss 1917 opened). This newest theatre addition encampment in Normandy. Act I is outside the to the Great White Way was built by George H. “Pomme d’Or;” Act II is in a reception room of the Broadhurst and the Schubert Brothers and had C h â t e a u opened its doors for the first time on September 27, Belleville; 1917 with George Bernard Shaw’s Misalliance. and Act III is in an officers’ Unfortunately, production scheduling of the new space quarters at the forced a move to the Knickerbocker Theatre (1396 b a r r a c k s . Broadway at West 38th St.) on December 10, and as Despite the often is the case when such a move occurs, Her obvious, this Regiment closed on December 29 after a total of 56 is, in fact, not performances. NOTE: While we haven’t really mentioned a war play. this very significant detail in quite a while, the sheer size T h e h e r o The Broadhurst Theatre today 7 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 7 July 2012

André de Courcy has enlisted in the army under a fake Frank Sinatra how to dance, and touring with Bob name, Jolicoeur. He is trying to escape a youthful Hope on the first World War II USO tours. indiscretion in Paris. Estelle, newly arrived home from schooling in America, is staying with her aunt in a Unfortunately, while Audrey Maple had roles in 14 nearby château. She is engaged to Colonel Pontsable, Broadway productions, she does fall into that the commander of the nearby regiment when she runs category of “performer of old, slipped from memory into André and true love. Escapades, blustering, fairly soon.” Her three most memorable productions misunderstandings all lead to the inevitable triumph of were most likely the Arcadians (Monckton & Talbot true love over arranged marriage. Sound old - 1910), The Firefly (Friml-1911) and Her Regiment fashioned? The only thing really missing is that which may have been her only leading role. neither of the couple appear to be royalty in disguise. VHSource will do its best to obtain both the libretto The score was tuneful if not brilliant. The book? Well, and piano vocal for Her Regiment before the end of changing librettists never seemed to really win more 2012. There also appears to be a full than “generally highly dull” and “the music was the still in existence for this operetta, although there are best thing about it.” It was to be the continual a significant number of shows standing in line for downfall of Herbert’s work but not really until 30 to restoration well ahead of this work. 40 years down the road when the books became totally undoable and unacceptable to the more sophisticated Next month we’ll take a look at No. 39 Madeleine. modern audiences. The two stars were Donald Brian You might very well cry “wait a minute, that’s an (1877-1948) as André and Audrey Maple as Estelle. opera and a very small one, at that.” However, it is the next major theatrical work and unlike The Magic While you might not Knight it was always meant to stand alone and be recognize Donald exactly what it is – a one act work. It’s also important Brian as a major because it was a composer-initiated project rather Broadway name, the than producer-driven. It would also be more than a tenor began his stage full year before the next operetta, No. 40 The Velvet career with On the Lady (1919) opened, and reunited Herbert and Wabash (1899), and Blossom. Therein lies a couple of most interesting gained the title of the stories. King of Broadway from the New York nd Times as he starred The 52 National Conference of or had major roles in The National Association of Florodora (1902), Little Johnny Jones Teachers of Singing (1904), 45 Minutes From Broadway As you open this newsletter this month, VHSource Donald Brian in 1914 (1906), The Merry will be down in sunny Orlando, Florida at the 52nd Widow (1907), The National Conference of the National Association of Chocolate Soldier (1921), No, No, Nanette (1926), Teachers of Singing (“NATS”) hoping to introduce and finally, Very Warm for May (1939) among a total more teachers of singing to the joys of Victor Herbert of 24 Broadway productions. and make some new friends around the world.

In fact, Brian and soprano Julia Sanderson (1884- If you are unfamiliar with this group, their purpose is 1975) had already introduced a rather famous Jerome to encourage the highest standards of the vocal art Kern song, “They Didn’t Believe Me” in the and ethical principles in the teaching of singing. American production of The Girl From Utah in 1915. They’ve been around since 1944, and are the largest Interestingly, Brian is also credited with teaching professional association of teachers of singing in the Theodore Roosevelt to relax in public, showing world with more than 7,000 members in the United 8 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 7 July 2012

States, Canada, and over twenty-five other countries. nearly eliminate page As VHSource has always attracted clients from turning noise, and copy flat around the world, it’s particularly exciting that NATS on the photocopier with no has members in Australia, Austria, Brazil, China, distortions. If you need to Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, France, , deal with copies of music Iceland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, for your students or Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South yourself, this little machine Wrap and Tape Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, will quickly become your United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. best friend. VHSource knows – we use ours all the Here’s hoping these members show up at this National time for music, librettos and newsletters. You’ll find conference. Paul in Booth 229A or you can visit the VPC Inc web site. Having spent more than two decades sitting in on professional auditions in , we have become very familiar with the need to always have an English song in your “ready-to-go” list of audition pieces. Those of us on the other side of the table do get a bit tired of Bernstein’s “Glitter and Be Gay,” Sullivan’s “Poor Wand’ring One,” or the more common refrain, “I didn’t bring any English with me.” Voila! - Lies Flat That latter comment always shocks us. Fortunately, Victor Herbert has a wonderful array of perfect Did we mention it was affordable? audition songs for every voice type and therein lies the VHSource message this weekend.

This year, NATS has begun auditioning for the First Second Annual Emmerich Kalman National Musical Theater Competition (NMTC) for International Operetta Musical the music theater soloist. This award is seeking out the best individual performers across the nation. Final Conductor Competition Rounds for NMTC are happening this weekend here at the Conference and should prove most interesting. Calling all conductors of operetta: This news alert Should you be interested in learning more about was recently received from Fredericka Silvey NATS, its publications and educational programs, Johns, Professor Emeritus, West Virginia University. visit http://www.nats.org/. WVU is hosting the US portion of this very interesting competition. Here is the introductory If by any chance you letter from Ms. Johns. It contains info and websites happen to be attending this for further information. Ms. Johns also notes that this conference, stop by Booth event will take place on August 21-22, 2012, at West 229B and introduce Virginia University. Ms. Johns’ letter: yourself. Not only will it be a chance to connect in Let me introduce myself. My name is Fredericka person but you’ll also get a Silvey Johns, and I represent the Emmerich Kálmán chance to meet our good Insert Pages International Operetta-Musical Conductor Competition. This is the second time that this friend Paul Clements who runs VPC Inc., based in competition will be organized, after the first one, St. Paul, Minnesota. That title doesn’t even begin to which was held in 2007. For the first time, there will suggest the value of one of Clements’ fine products – also be a preliminary held in the United States. I the “Music Master” Binding System. This great little would like to draw your attention to this event. If machine does everything you wish it to do to easily you are interested in taking part in this competition, and securely bind sheets of music, that will: 1) lie flat please have a look at the description and the on the music stand with no paper bumps or holes; 2) conditions of the event at the following web site: 9 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 7 July 2012

www.kalmanconductingcomp.com and send your Special conductor for this concert with full orchestra application and the necessary required documents to: will be Jose Melendez with singers, Jennifer [email protected] . Holbrook, Megan Monaghan, Jeffrey Halili and If you do not wish to participate in the competition, Daniel Pantano. Tickets are $15 and $10. Visit the please draw the attention to those conductors, who Ocean City Pops website for more information. you know and you think would be interested in applying. Thank you for your attention and co- Hopefully, we’ll see you down in Ocean City, NJ. operation in advance!

Yours sincerely, Fredericka Silvey Johns, Professor Emeritus Pro. Em. of Abraxas Musical Akademie Munich, Germany

If you are intrigued and need more information, contact Ms. Johns directly. She would not mind an inquiry. Upcoming July Events

Saturday, July 21, 2012 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm and Friedlander Theatre, College of Wooster Sunday, July 22, 2012 at 2:00 pm, the Canton Comic Home of the Ohio Light Opera Opera Company will present Victor Herbert’s 1914 We really must mention and direct you to the Ohio The Only Girl, A Musical Farcical Comedy with full rd orchestra at GlenOak High School Theatre, 1801 Light Opera Company’s 33 Season in Wooster, Schneider St. N.E., Canton, OH 44721. Tickets Ohio. While they are not doing any Herbert this year, General Admission - $20; Students - $10. you can choose from Guys and Dolls (1950), A Connecticut Yankee (1943), The Mikado (1908), The Chocolate Soldier (1908), Blossom Time Upcoming August Events (1921), Utopia Limited (1893) and Miss Springtime (1917). That’s a pretty intriguing set of offerings Sunday, August 12th , 8:00pm, Ocean City Pops in including some rarely seen productions. This is truly conjunction with Dan Pantano’s Concert Operetta America’s premiere musical theatre preservation Theater will offer a complete evening of the music of company. Tickets are on sale now. Victor Herbert entitled “Thine Alone”. Yes, this is a repeat of the concert mentioned in June but in a Alyce's Musings . . . totally different vacation oriented setting. This wonderful concert will take place on the boardwalk with the gentle sounds of the Atlantic Ocean appy Fourth of July! The surrounding the concert hall. Take a look at the great holiday is just a few days review that the tune up concerts in Philadelphia got Haway and it’s great to see over the weekend of June 22-23, albeit with piano. today’s orchestras programing Herbert in concerts surrounding this verey American holiday.

On Saturday, June 30th at 7:00 PM , the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra presented its annual "Independence Day Spectacular!" Concert, in the Mariposa County Park Amphitheatre, Country Park Road, Mariposa, CA. As the MSO's parent Ocean City Music Pier sits right on the beach 10 News From VHSource, LLC Vol 7 July 2012

organization the Mariposa County Arts Council Thomas’ opinion), Herbert never quite lived down suffered an almost catastrophic May 11 fire that the fact that he had started as a “band director.” completely destroyed its offices and galleries, it was a relief to see that the orchestra's 10th season was still The work was published for orchestra in 1898, able to open with a rousing patriotic outdoor concert. presumably so Herbert could include it during his Conductor Les Marsden featured Victor Herbert's first season as conductor of the Pittsburgh “American Fantasia” along with Copland's Orchestra. It opens with a major fanfare and then “Fanfare for the Common Man,” Gould's follows a very different set of American works with “American Salute,” Gershwin's “Strike Up the almost a “bow to the Brits” feel to it (remember this Band,” and Rodgers' symphonic suite from “Victory is very EARLY Herbert). You’ll hear a little Stephen at Sea,” the award-winning 26-part WWII Foster, a revolutionary war song, “Dixie,” and documentary. “Columbia, Gem of the Ocean,” before it sails into an excellent of the “Star Spangled Banner.” Moving over to the East Coast, The Lake Placid This very Herbert version of our National Anthem Sinfonietta, Lake Placid, New York will also feature was often used as a stand alone by the VHO. Do click Herbert’s “American Fantasia” in its free on this “American Fantasia” link to hear a Community Concerts series on July 4th , at 7pm in the recording made by the composer himself with the Mid's Park in downtown Lake Placid, along with Victor Herbert Orchestra. Of course its scratchy, but Alford’s “Colonel Bogey March,” Hayman’s “Pops it will give you a good representation of this work. Hoedown,” Gould’s “American Salute,” Copland’s “Hoe Down,” Anderson’s “Bugler's Holiday, and Ah, the summer months – what could be better than Sousa’s “Washington Post,” “Liberty Bell,” and sitting outside or on the beach listening to “Stars and Stripes.” Herbert’s romantic melodies? I try to get to as many as possible, and it is always great fun to meet new Herbert friends, renew old friendships and hear new groups performing this timeless music.

Hope your summer somehow includes Herbert - you certainly won’t be able to stop humming! All thanks to all the fine NATS folks who made the beginning of this month so wonderful!

Perhaps we’ll see you all in Orlando, or in Ocean City, New Jersey, or simply next month for sure.

Lake Placid Sinfonietta in concert

“American Fantasia” was written in 1893 for the Two places can supply referenced back issues you may like to famous Gilmore’s Band and made its public debut read: 1) The E-Book section of Shop VHSource has the new 288 during the first official concert under the baton of the page Exploring The American World of Entertainment, Foundations, 1880 to 1930, which will give you all the VHS band’s brand new conductor Victor Herbert. That newsletters from March 2009 to December 2011. Explore the concert took place in New York City on Sunday Herbert operettas from Prince Ananias (1894) to Sweethearts evening, November 26, 1893 at the . (19113) in one searchable source. Or 2) simply login to www.vhsource.com and choose “Archived Newsletters in the User “American Fantasia” quickly became a Herbert Menu” for 2012 newsletters. Reminder: if you are not logged in, staple in Gilmore Band concerts which continued you will not see a User Menu or any samples. almost to 1900. Herbert at one time was conducting All 2012 newsletters are available to registered users of both Gilmore’s Band as well as the Pittsburgh www.vhsource.com. Simply follow the link, create a user name Orchestra which he took over in 1898. In some high and password and enjoy this newsletter delivered to you inbox free brow quarters (particularly perhaps Theodore of charge every month.