Through distribution of music and advertisement, music publication is a crucial step in the release of sheet music. In the peak of the silent music era, the top music publication companies were Remick Music Company, M. Witmark & Sons and T. B. Harms & Francis, Day & Hunter Inc. In 1930, Warner Bros. Records acquired these three top publication companies. Chappell & Co LTD. partnered with Warner Bros. Records in 1987 creating Warner/Chappell Music and became one of the most competitive music publishing company of its time. In 2010, Warner/Chappell Music was named the world’s third-largest music publisher with a catalogue of over one million songs and 65, 000 songwriters.
This exhibit will take a look at the three major publishers of the silent movie era aforementioned. Their individual prosperity played an integral role in the success of Warner/Chappell Music and the advancement of music publication to date.
Credits
Jack Vandermeer, School of Music, University of Ottawa