National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-05-13
THE OUTDOOR CONCERT
The Marine Band at the Presidents Grounds
Large Crowds and Inaudible Music.

Large Crowds and 1naudible Music.
The promenade concerts OF the Marine band
were successfully lnaugurnted at the Presidents
grounds yesterday. This was really their lrst
concert of the season, as tho effort the previous
Saturday can only be considered as an attempt.
The band and lew people were there, 1t is true.
but they were dispersed by the rs,n before the
| programme was half finished. Yesterday the
weather was fair and propitlous, and as a tonse.
The opportunity Was w sensrsiiy embraced by
and their jaunty Normandy hats The fashions
study as they passed in review around he
stand. Mrs. President Hayes occupied q seat on
the balcony Of tho white House during the
friends, Including the guests at the house. The
President put IN an occasional appearance 90
his remaining few minutc' at a time.
Considerable disiayor was found will the band.
The programme may have been carefully select.
ed, and doubtless each selection was well rcn.
dered. Those present were, however, unable to
Judge Of the merits Of each as II was only by the
movements of the band that they could tell they
were playing. The selections were Of too soft
am: and subdued character to DO appreciated in
Our people, strange as Il may seem. like tohesr
music, and cannot be satisfied with a pantomimlc
imitation The playing yesterday was slmost 10.
ni,ois and II was only those directly under the
music In the neiRhbOrhood excepting when there
was a burst Of sound and the drum and bass horn
WIZ Satlth luNV nose Inht tnt
music found no fault With the eNccution, but
those that did not, embracing the majority Of the
visitors, were loud in their Complaints.
II lie - be hoped tho band, which is known to
be capable OF better things, will do better next
time. Thee are several necessary reforms
neejed In these concerts, first and foremost Of
which Is change in the hour. Asst Is now, the
hand have orders TO play from I to $50 o'clock
NOW, any one that knows anything at all
about Washington must certainly be ac-
quainted with III fact til It all the majority Of
the Inhabitants dine between those hours. 80, 10
90 TO the music. they must go without their
dinner, and, II they enjoy that meal, they must
iorepo the pleasure OF attending tho concert.
II was n noticeable fact yesterday that the
largest portion OF tho crowd In attendance ar.
rive Just as the iinai air was being played. They
had tired to enjoy their dinner as we'll as the
music. and bad failed sgnally in the latter re-
spect. Another thing against four O'Clock " the
fact that at that hour the sun shines from such n
quarter that there IL very little shade ABOUT the
ground, whereas an hour later the trees on the
western hllvek act as curtain to the entire
promenade.
If these concerts arc intended as an amuse.
ment to the people OF Washington that object
can he mu better secured by having them Gun.
mence about or $50 o'clock As IL they are
decidedly inco venient. Another cause OF CON.
plant rs tbs abolition Of the Wednesday alter
noon concerts hut II the wishes OF oar citILers
are carried out IN regard to tho SATURDAY reT.
iOrmanccs this will he overlooked.