The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-21
GOES TO PIECES.
Pryor's Band Tour Ends With
Topeka Engagement.
Winter Trip Has Not Been a
Success.
is ONE OF THE BEST.
Pleased Small Audience at the
Grand Opera House.
SOIOists Are All Above the
Average.

What's in a name?
Is it because of his commonplace
name that the tour Of Arthur Pryor S
band has not been the financial sue
cess that it is entitled to be If merit
counts for anything2
Is 1t likely that if Pryor had been
endowed with name more suggestive
| Of romance or mystery, perhaps
4 tinged with the magnetism that seems
| to cling to a name Of foreign extrac-
ton, that he would attract larger audi
ences to his concerts?
Arthur Pryor is known to all lovers
| of band music probably on account OF
/ his long association with the Sousa or
SANITATION as trombone soloist vet his
tour this winter with a band of his own
has failed TO attract sufficient mr. ney
to the box office TO make 1t possible to
continue the tour There was some
doubt as to whether the band would
fill its Topeka engagement. And it has
been decided to close the tour and can
Gel the engagements for the remainder
of the winter season.
Pryor's band is perhaps the best, at
any rate the equal of any that has ap-
peared in Topeka in recent years. Prac-
tically every player in the band of 10
or so is a sOloist Of considerable talent.
and it is said that not a single player
receives less than $35 per week and
travelling expenses in addition. From
the figure the salaries range up to con-
siderable proportions for some of the
best of the musicians in the orgauizd
ton.
1OSSlD1y ETEOf naQ q name that
appealed to the public as does the well
known names of Sorrentino, Liberattf
Ellery, Sousa, Innes, Creatore, Sanrle-
man, or any one of a number of others,
ne would be more successful on d trip
Of one night stands.
Pryor's band has been in existence for
about four years, playing summer en-
gagements at some of the leading sum-
mer parks in the principal eastern
cities. While his summer engagements
have been highly successful, his name
Is perhaps not sufficiently well known
on the one night stands to attract pay
ing business
A great deal of money has been sunk
so far this season in trying to turn tine
tide sufficiently to warrant the contir-
uance Of the winter tour of this band
but it has been all to no purpose.
Possibly Pryor may not have as many
medals as other leaders to display on
the broad expanse of his bosom but
this does not gainsay that he is not
heading as good a collection Of musi-
clans as has been heard in Topeka for
several years. The balancing of reed
and brass instruments was near per
feet. The selection of the programme
perhaps could have been exercised With
a better hand not only to the benefit Of
those who listened bur for better ap-
probation of the quality of the players.
The usual number of classics FREEDOM
mated
One of the pronounced characteristics
VI ETSOf'S WOTk Win Inc patton IS the
perfect tempo which he establishes.
Withal he makes a pleasing picture
on the conductors stand-there is no
striving after effects Of the grotesque,
the work is done because there is a
proper demand for it.
In the forty odd players who make
up the tout ensem BILE of the organiza-
ton are a number of familiar faces
who have appeared with Innes. Bell
stedt, and others. a scattering of Ital-
ian and German faces but mainly
wholesome Americans.
Miss Stella Thomas. a contralto. good
to look upon and who has in addition
a mighty good voice Of some compass
and considerable sweetness, accompa-
MES Pryor's as soloist.
The attendance was small and the re-
ceipts could not have paid expenses.