The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-02

bands, and they played Bussc thai mace cue1
Tor corr cornet solo to be played while the band
WIS marching at the head ofa regiment, and the
serenadss on the warm summer niehts we're
now why, IL one fellow IN the band had sw.et-
heart In those days, the Others would 20 ana
her window at night but you don't catch EN-
doing that nowadays"
AsroSrsHISo rHr BnrrIsHERs.
Very few American m usicians had q reputa-
non abroad then ana was as hard 70 ooSyiocs
produce music worth listening TO A. that an
American author could write book worth read
ting. A Characteristic story Is told OF Edward
Kendall, the famous bugle player of Boston. One
day In London, about twenty years ago. Yam
kee Of rather unpromisine appearance ans wered
an advertisement for a bugle player In one OF
the regiments of the Guards. The bandit master.
reooenizine the nationality of the STRANGER tire t.
ed him rather contem ptuouslv, and limited that
only the beat qualified players were wanted, but
nnally told him he might show what he could do
Mt the rehearsal next day The Yankee came
with hts bugle under his arm, and took hts place
VA tue band amid the smiles Of the other must
cans. The rehearsal heran with n new piece In
which a dinicuit solo tor the clarinet occurred.
The clarineust tried several times to execute
this part, but failed. At last the Yankee asked
perni sion to pl ~ the solo on his bugle. The
bano master and the musicians Iauv ed derisve-
", aud the proposal was sneeringiy rejec ed
But the Yankee Insisted, declaring that he could
play the solo without winking:' and probably
to get rid of him. he slow ed to try, 90
the ba master assured him h q would only M ke
whole reg ment.
While the prelude was being played the Yam
Britshers, and quiet smile crept over his IL q.
Raising the bugie to his mouth, he began to
play. Hardly a dozen magic notes had fallen
from the instrument before every member OF
the band stopped playing, and 9azed al the
Yankee In establishment. A burst Of applause
followed the conclusion OF the solo, ana "a tue
Yankee, still smiling, dropped the ougle from
his lips, tue bapdmaster grasped his hand, ex-
My name is Kendall" said the stranger,
:" What" exclaimed the musicians, Edward
Kendall, the American, and the greatest ougle
player In the world I"
Tns Yankee musician became the feted guest
OF the band. the members OF which strOve to
make amends for their ungallant conduct
JAMES FISK, JR.'s HAND.
In 1870. Col. James Fisk, Jr., then at the height
OF his career. organized for his regiment--the
Ninth-a band which he intended should be
then as one OF the oest PLAYERS In some OF the
older bands, and prolific writer OF band m usic.
| became the leader of this band, which took its
| name from him. No expense was spared by its
| founder, not only to At out the new band with
| the best instruments and richest uniforms, but
| e. bring into It's ranks the best players Ia the
city. According to Col Fisks plan concerts
we're eiyen by ~. band IN the Grand
Fisk gave the charge OF the band TO Mr.. Down.
ing, who has made u, IN order Of time, the third
great band OF New York.
The advent OF the fourth great band. Gil
more's, about two years ago L. well remem Oef-
ed. MIR. Gilmore Is noted among band leaders
| for possessing. IN degree extremely rare among
m uricians, the talent for organization and great
executive enterprise. said one OF his principal
riyalst - would no more dare TO undertake
such enterprises as Gilmore does than would
| dare to cut on my head. He seems to be per
fectly reckless IA his daring. lie spcculates In
music, ana how he makes 1t pay Is more than
| can undersf and"
Mr. Gilmore, after hts monster jubiees In
| Boston, came To New York, and hts osnd won
distinction here under the name Of Gumore's
rwenty-seeond Regiment Baod. His is the
largest band IN the city, and ranks as one OF the
four which nave a national reputation. His
great concert garden, IN which has men IND
the band before the public cse, but enables IL
To preserve Its organic ation more perfectly per
| haps than some Of tue other bands.
THE SMALLER BANDS.
There are several other rerimental bands In
New York led py hrst-class musicians. and eapa-
bic Of making creditabIe displsvs on parade and
| of producing good concert music, but thcir or
sani.a!,on seems to ee less perfect; as their
city than Is the case with the four bands
mentioned; Then there are a great msnv
| wnicn are employed In the small concert
| halls, and which 20 with picnic excursions
summer resort near tho city, MANY Of these are
said to DC composed OF "muns," who are
by neglecting the daily practice that really nr-t
J class players must undergo. The power Of the
lip, or emoouchure, Is soon lost ny lack Of prac-
| these bands also said to disregard the rules
OF the Protective Union by cutting under the
| estab ished rates, out this Is never done VIII an
| business is good, for then Il il easy for every
practised player to get the regular rates. Those
who are competent to judge assert that, while
| players aOle Of playing FIRST class street
parade music are plentiful, II would be very
| difficult 70 get In New York az orchestra OF the
| New York 10 better OF Ia this respect than any
other American city. Il being the only one capa
bic OF supporting professional bands, whose
| reputation Is more than merely local.
The old, strict organic ton does not now
exist among bands. and most Of their mem ocrs
do not belong exclusively to any one band.
| Each band endeavors TO keep twenty or thirty
men regularly on It's stan but II 1t has no EN-
ployment for them they viii go and play In the
uniform Of any OF its rivals that may need
them; and when band has TO furnish dfty or
| II can only do so by employing men from other
bands. Thus some OF the men VINO one oe-
caslon play In Dodwortn's uniform may at an
each time. now winning honor for one lead or
and now for another.
MUSICIANS SUMMERS.
In July ana August many members Of the
various bands go separately to Long Branch,
Sarat oga, Sharon. aud other watering places,
where the propnetors Of large Lotels employ
band lesders, who may be totally unknown as
members Of rival bands play together during
tue summer. When the season Ia over these
bands break up, and their members return
One OF the pleasantest things that a band has
to do is TO play at the various college COM
msncements. II II very old custom for the
graduating class to furnish band for the com
mencement and class cav exercises. and the
spirit OF rivalry survives from year to year. each
| class endeavoring to Guido the musical achieve
ments OF Its Immediate predecessor. The prin-
cipal New YoIk military bands have almost "a
monopoly OF this business among the colleges OF
the Eastern and middle 81 ties, and they visit in
turn Yale, Cornell, Harvard, Princeton, Dart
mouth, Williams, ana other colleges, usually
| giving concerts In the college towns, the pro
oeeds OF which help the college boys to pay for
the band, and hugely enjoying the taste OF fresh
air and rural beauties which these trips afford
| them. The usual oh rye for such work Is $40 "A
| day Tor each man and expenses paid.
The frequent engagements 10 play at gran
balls at the watering places arc also IL UGH liked
| by the band men, who charge 81 extra for all
such work when done out OF town. while the
leaders are frequently aole " make very hand
| some profits.
| The leaders and some OF the members of all
| principal New York bands make a regular busl-
| ness of writing marches and other band music,
which hnds a ready sale aud Is very profitable.
THE BANDS IN BATTLE.
Several OF the New York bands ACCOMPANIED
their regiments in the war. The function NJ "A
band IN is widely misunderstood. IL d es
not march In front OF the 'roOps cheering the m
on with the magic inspiration Of music, neither
II IL stationed on hill In the rear to play mar
tai airs, hut its members are detailed 10 assist
the ambulance cOrps Ia taking caro- of the
Wounded. Musicians are considered To be "A
kind OF noncOmbatdutS In war, VINO are not In