User:Kengorden/US School of Music

History
The method of teaching music by correspondence was inaugurated in the late 1890's. At that time, David F. Kemp of Dayton, Ohio, believed that music could be taught by mail, and set about organizing a core of teachers to conduct lessons in this manner. He was able to obtain the very best of teachers to head the schools departments, which included the teaching of Piano, Organ, Violin, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Cornet and Sight Singing.

Sustained by a loan from his advertising firm and helped by the end-of-the-century economic boom, Kemp rapidly expanded the first-year enrollment of four hundred to ten thousand.

In the early 1900's the U.S. School of Music generated additional revenue through instrument sales and a special arrangement with the Sears Roebuck and Co.

By the early 1920s the school offered several dozen courses.

During the economic slump of the 1930s, the staff occasionally worked three-day weeks and some students paid with maple syrup, chickens, and quilts.

The school survived the Depression and one of its former students, band leader Lawrence Welk, almost bought part of the business in the 1950's.

Through 1970's the U.S. School of Music was a well-known and respected correspondence school providing excellent home study music courses for a variety of instruments. They advertised extensively in all of the popular music magazines at that time. Their main theme was that their lessons were a complete music education emphasizing, right from the start, interesting pieces of music rather than boring, tedious scales and exercises. They present scales not as grueling exercises to be mastered for academic reasons, but on an "as needed basis" to understand how to play the music of each lesson. Only after a student has mastered a reasonable repertoire, do they start to encourage heavy practice in scales and other skill building exercises.

U.S. School of Music instrument courses typically consist of at least two years of study. They are organized as 96 lessons, each one expected to take the average student a week to master. The lessons are organized into 8 booklets (called folios) containing 12 lessons each. Some earlier editions of the courses consisted of only 48 lessons. Each lesson consisted of ample text explaining the music theory required to accomplish a particular assignment.

The level taught starts at the very beginning for students who have never played a note, and progresses to an advanced level that would impress anyone.

Timeline
1868 - David Franklin Kemp is born November 23, 1867 (1868) in Dayton, Ohio, son of David C. Kemp (1837-1910) and Gabriella A. Johnson (1843-1923). 1879 - At the age of 12, Kemp obtains an old book on piano music and teaches himself piano by learning the notes and corresponding keys. 1898 - At age 29, Kemp establishes the U. S. School of Music in New York with his wife Annette W. Wyckoff.

Starting with lessons for Piano and Organ, to teach what he referrers to as the "Print-and-Picture" method of learning music. Kemp evolves his system as he goes and is often no more than one week ahead of his students. Sustained by a $1,000 loan and helped by the end-of-the-century economic boom, the U.S. School of Music rapidly expands the first year enrollment of 400 students to 10,000.

1901 - Kemp enlists the help of experienced music teachers and professionals including, C. W. Wilcox, John Koehler, Myron A. Bickford and A. H. Knoll, who have faith in his music taught by mail idea. Together they work to make sure that the existing lessons are correct and prepare instructions for additional instruments.

1902 - The U. S. School of Music begins advertising lessons for Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin taught by Myron A. Bickford and Violin by C. W. Wilcox.

The U.S. Correspondence School of Music relocates offices from 156 5th Avenue to 19 Union Square, New York.

1903 - The U. S. School of Music begins advertising lessons for the Cornet taught by A. H. Knoll.

1907 - The U. S. School of Music relocates its offices from 19 Union Square, to the newly built, Brunswick Building at 225 5th Avenue, New York. 1908 - The U. S. School of Music begins advertising lessons for Sight Singing taught by Madame Newman.

David F. Kemp and the U. S. School of Music featured in the October 1908, National Magazine article, "Music in the Home." The same article states over 100,000 students have enrolled in the U. S. School of Music courses since 1898. 1909 - The U. S. School of Music enters into a special arrangement with the Sears Roebuck and Co and begins advertising "Instruments supplied when needed. Cash or credit"

On June 19, under the headline "Fair Trade and Foul," Collier's Weekly prints an editorial, in which it referred to U. S. School of Music as a "triple-plated swindle." 1910 - The U. S. School of Music begins advertising lessons for the Cello taught by Myron A. Bickford and C. W. Wilcox. 1911 - David F. Kemp's $50,000 libel suit against Collier's Weekly goes to trial on June 20. The trail attracted the attention of New York newspapers, who assigned special reporters to cover the trial. The jury was reportedly 10-2 in favor of Collier's, but failed to reach a verdict.

The U. S. School of Music begins advertising Harmony and Composition course under the name Wilcox School of Composition with C. W. Wilcox, director. In 1915 The U. S. School of Music released lessons for Harp taught by Melville A. Clark. Followed by Clarinet, Piccolo, Trombone, and Flute lessons taught by A. L. Neufeld in 1916. In 1918 lessons for Ukulele taught by Myron A. Bickford and Saxophone taught by A. L. Neufeld were relesed. In 1921 lessons for Hawaiian Steel Guitar taught by Myron A. Bickford, Drums & Traps taught by A. L. Neufeld, and Sight Singing, Voice & Public Speaking and Automatic Finger Control taught by H. P. Longstreet were added to the school's growing course selection. 1925 - John Caples, copywriter for Ruthrauff & Ryan, writes the classic "They Laughed When I Sat Down at the Piano..." advertisement. U. S. School of Music begins advertising lessons for Piano Accordion taught by Francesco Umbriaco. 1930's - In his unpublished autobiography, "Music for the Millions", Kemp explains that during the economic downturn in the 1930s, the staff occasionally worked three day weeks and some students paid with maple syrup, chickens, and quilts.

October 3, 1930, New York Times article reports, the U. S. School of Music to sponsor a radio series called the Musical Enjoyment Club, a series of musical lectures under the direction of Dr. Sigmund Spaeth, composer, music authority and Director of Education for the U. S. School of Music. The purpose of the series is “to foster and teach musical appreciation and encourage the development of musical ability.” The inaugural show airs Sunday, October 5th at 8:15 PM Eastern Standard Time, over the WABC network. 1931	April, Music Trade Review reports, David F. Kemp, President of the U. S. School of Music, and publisher of the well known home study music courses for individual instruction, announces the formation of a new division, to be known as the U. S. Music Co., with headquarters at 225 Fifth avenue for the publication of music texts. The first series to be published for school use is "The Piano Course for Juniors." Devised by the well-known pianist and teacher, Jacob Eisenberg. From time to time it is planned to bring out additional work suitable for elementary and high school grades, as well as works of pedagogical interest.

1932	June 4, The New Yorker magazine features an article titled “Soosh” on the U. S. School of Music in the “Talk of the Town” section. 1933	The U. S. School of Music becomes a National Recovery Administration (NRA) participating business, part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The School includes “NRA Member. We Do Our Part.” logo in advertisements and does what they can to give employment and raise in wages. 1935	In 1935 the Supreme Court found that the NRA violated the Constitution and the U. S. School of Music ceases use of the logo in advertisements.

1950 - 1951	The U. S. School of Music relocates its offices from the Brunswick Building at 225 Fifth Avenue, New York to 145 Main Street, Port Washington, New York. 1953	After more than 50 years of guiding the institution he founded, David F. Kemp turns over management of the U. S. School of Music to two of his five sons, George R. Kemp and Louis F. Kemp.

That same year, the U. S. School of Music takes over the management of Sherwin Cody's 100% Self-correcting Course in the English Language. 1956	David F. Kemp writes his unpublished autobiography, Music for the Millions. In it, Kemp mentions that Lawrence Welk almost bought part of the business in the 1950’s.

The U. S. School of Music takes over the management of Washington School of Art Course.

1957	October 9, David F. Kemp passes away at the age of 88 at the Manhasset Medical Center, Great Neck Long Island. 1962	February 14, New York Times article “Advertising: Slogan is Disappearing After Forty Years,” reports, the U. S. School of Music selling Sherwin Cody course to a New York advertising man, who declined to be identified. 1966	The U. S. School of Music becomes an accredited member of the National Home Study Council (Renamed in 1994 as the Distance Education and Training Council). 1967	In July, New York publishing company, Crowell Collier and Macmillan, Inc., acquires U. S. School of Music and Washington School of Art for 9,140 shares of common stock plus about $450,000 cash. The schools become part of the CCM Home Study division, which includes LaSalle Extension University. 1969	April 17, New York Times reports Crowell Collier and Macmillan’s Home Study Division drops Schwab, Beatty & Porter and hires Rapp & Collins to take over all media advertising for U. S. School of Music and Washington School of Art.

November 21st, the National Home Study Council (NHSC) Accrediting Commission withdrew accreditation from LaSalle Extension University. U. S. School of Music beginning a subsidiary of LaSalle Extension University is swept into the withdrawal action.

December 15, Crowell Collier and Macmillan, Inc. file Federal suit, charging National Home Study Council with monopoly and restraint of trade. 1970	The suit filed by Crowell Collier and Macmillan, Inc. against the National Home Study Council settled amicably.

In an email from Michael P. Lambert, Executive Director, Distance Education and Training Council (formally NHSC), Mr. Lambert explains, LaSalle Extension University corrected the faults and problems NHSC had documented. For its part, NHSC agreed to new due process procedures and to conduct a fresh review with a new committee. All CCM Home Study divisions gained reaccreditation after a new accrediting review took place. 1971	The U. S. School of Music adds 2 LP records for use in conjunction with the print material in the Piano Course. They demonstrate some of the main instructional points of the music by having it played correctly. Pianist, Sondra Bianca performs the music and John Murphy produces the recordings. 1972	The U. S. School of Music adds an LP record for use in conjunction with the print material in the Guitar Course. 1973	Crowell Collier and Macmillan, Inc. changes name to Macmillan, Inc. (A Delaware Corporation)

The U. S. School of Music and Washington School of Art move offices from Port Washington, New York to LaSalle Extension University offices at 417 S Dearborn St, Chicago Illinois. 1975	In a July press release, John Murphy, Director of the U. S. School of Music, states “Fifty years ago the piano was the instrument of the times. Now it’s the guitar.” 1976	The U. S. School of Music changes Piano Course title from “Home Study Course for Piano” to “Piano Self-Study: the Quick-Check Program.” New copyrights are filed and author is listed as LaSalle Extension University, employer for hire. 1979	The 1979 Macmillan, Inc. Annual Report shows Home Study division revenues of $11.5 million in 1979 versus $15.5 million in 1978. The year-to-year decrease was attributed to the lower revenues of LaSalle Extension University.

This decline in turn resulted from the continued planned reduction of the subsidiary’s operations in the face of regulatory pressures and a changed industry environment.

1980	Most likely the year the U. S. School of Music ceased taking new students. They were listed in the NHSC Directory for 1980, but not for 1981. 1981	Macmillan, Inc. closes La Salle Extension University and subsidiaries including the U. S. School of Music, citing shrinking market for non-technical correspondence courses. According to Michael P. Lambert, Executive Director, Distance Education and Training Council, they conducted a multi-year teach out of all students through the 1980s, and no student was stranded or left without training.

Courses
Piano

Organ

Accordion

Cornet

Mandolin

Guitar

Hawaiian Steel Guitar

Banjo

Cello

Ukulele

Violin

Cello

Harp

Piccolo

Clarinet

Flute

Saxophone

Trombone

Drums & Traps

Harmony & Composition

Sight Singing

Voice & Public Speaking

Automatic Finger Control

Instructors
The US School of Music published many editions of their various courses. As time passed and as people's musical interests changed, the school accommodated by modernizing many of their lessons.


 * John Koehler, Piano, Organ
 * Claude Lapham, an arranger and composer, wrote over 200 songs, sonatas and operas, including Sakura, which premiered in 1933 at the Hollywood Bowl and music for a number of Earl Carroll productions.
 * Francesco Umbriaco
 * John Serry Sr.
 * Lawrence Welk
 * Anthony Aretta, nationally respected as an authority on the teaching of the accordion and a pioneer in method-writing for accordion.
 * Anton H. Knoll, part of the cornet team of "Knoll and McNeil" which for many years toured the United States and Europe. They were known as the "King and Queen" of the cornet.
 * Zahr Myron Bickford (1876-1961), one of the foremost mandolin players, composers and teachers of his time, and best known for The Bickford Mandolin Method, a four-volume collection considered to be a popular study for classical mandolinists.
 * Harry Volpe (1906-1995), was a recording artist for Decca Records and was the first guitarist selected to the Radio City Music Hall staff where he was a featured soloist. You can still find his materials through Mel Bay Publications.
 * La Vern Schatz
 * Melville A. Clark, (1883-1953)
 * A. L. Neufeld
 * C. W. Wilcox
 * H. P. Longstreet

Notable Students
Lawrence Welk, Accordionist, Bandleader

Winston "Scotty" Fitzgerald, Fiddler

Paulus Khofri, Composer