Hi,  Whilst looking through some Duo-Art rolls, I came across the
following:

  Daily Express Piano Playing Competitions, Test Pieces for Grade D,
  0337, Carse's Miniature Scherzo - Walthew's Sun and Shade,
  Played by William Murdoch.

A pencilled inscription running along the bevelled lead-in, either side
of the hook, reads

 '26/11/1928 from Mr & Mrs Eli Reuben, 9 Glosdale (I think) Terrace,
  Cardiff.  A memento of their son's (Harold Julius Reuben, age 9 - 
  July 16th 1928) success in having won a Piano under the Daily Express
  in Cardiff at YMCA Cardiff on Nov 22nd 1928.  Rogers Pianos.'

Presumably little Harold won the Welsh heat of the competition.
Does anyone have any knowledge of the competition?  I assume it was
open to any young pianist, who could be taught the two set pieces by
a piano teacher, and it was not a requirement to have access to a
Duo-Art piano in order to enter?

I also assume that learning the pieces from a Duo-Art roll was
considered as valid a tutorial as any other teaching method at the
time.  As the inscription says '_From_ Mr & Mrs Reuben' rather than
_To_ them, I assume that this roll was purchased by them for young
Harold, possibly after he had won his heat.  The national final would
surely have been held in London under the auspices of the Daily
Express.  I wonder if the Reubens owned a Duo-Art at the time!

Can anyone supply chapter and verse regarding these competitions?
Thanks in advance!

David Evans
Director, Revelstoke Nickelodeon Museum
http://www.revelstokenickelodeon.com/