The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-05-16
The Benefits of Music Roll
Distribution by the Libraries

to hear and study all of the operate
music. as we'll as the lesser selections
of popular character. At present IL
braries of player piano rolls are kept
by some of the music houses, and in a
few of the larger cities special circula-
ting libraries have been established
But the great public Libraries will pre-
sent larger scope and a greater op-
portunity for public instruction and
enjoyment. They will be as free in
the distribution of good music as they
are now in the dissemination of good
literature. That such a condition al
ready exists in few of our cities is
all the assurance that is needed
Lists Richmond's Attributes.
A good example of this class of mus
ical communities is that of Richmond,
Indiana, the city to which allusion has
already been made. II is a beautiful
city of about twenty-three thousand
people and as refined and Intellectual
community as may be found any
where. Richmond is manufacturing
city, too, and one of great wealth, con-
sidering it's size. 1t is the home also
of one of the largest piano industries
in the United States, that of the Starr
Piano CO., to the enterprise of which
concern is probably due the beginning
of the free music roll library feature
which is certain to become general. In
Richmond the announcement is made
that owners of SS-note player pianos
may secure records at the MORRISON
Reeves library upon the same terms as
books have been sent out by that in
stitution. This announcement has
been made by Mrs. A. l.. Bernhard, IL
brarian, who has just completed cata-
loguing the rolls. The records, of
which there are nearly 700. are the
gift of the Starr Piano company.
Mrs. Bernhard has selected the mu-
sic from many different composers.
The majority of the rolls are of classi-
cal music of the type that is being stu
died in the public schools. Aside from
this are many rolls of vocal music of
the most high class and also selec-
ton of dance and waltz music.
Famous Composers Works.
Nearly all of the famous composers
are represented in the list of 700 rolls
at the library. Selections of only five
American composers, of whom Mac.
Dowell stands at the head, have also
been chosen.
1t will be realized that when the
player piano rolls become part OF
the public library equipment, the task
of selecting suitable composers and
the works best adapted to the tastes
and education of the public. The fact
that in the Richmond collection five
Americans are represented shows the
proper appreciation of native talent
OF course, the proportion of compost
ton by these home composers is not
given, SO that it is not possible to
judge of the character of the music It.
self. But when the public Libraries be
gin in any general way to include the
player piano rolls. it is to be hoped
that the native composers will receive
their full share of attention. for il
we must have the pop" order of music
and we must-certainly the Ameri
cans are doing as good work in that
line as any.
Tribute to the Gennetts.
1t is interesting to note that the
Richmond library is next to the oldest
in the state of Indiana. 1t was estab
lished by the philanthropy of the citi
zens of Richmond and is considered