Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-09-18

justly pTOuu, was OISdHlZcu III 1000,
their charter bearing date 18th Of De-
cember of that year. Its organiza-
ton was the result of a conversation
between several gentlemen unsteady
inclined in which the necessity of
good band was fully admitted. and
the question asked why in a town of
| this size it had not been possible to
sustain one. The answer was readily
given and the statement made that
no town could ever have first class
musical organization unless that
same received hearty support from
the citizens at large. Not in words
alone, but substantial encouragement
in dollars and cents. 1t was not
enough simply to purchase instru-
ments. Any band to reach high
musical position should have a liber-
al yearly and settled income, suffi-
cient to engage and retain the servi-
ces of a skilled musician as Director
No band without this could ever hope
to reach high degree of musical ex-
cellence. Guarantee them this, and
not less than twenty young men, the
very best of the town could be found
willing to organize for such a purpose,
but under no other conditions. The
contract must be time and talent on
one side, support and encouragement
on the other. Every town enjoying
a good band did this, and Martins
burg if she cared to have one must do
no less. Judge Faulkner who was a
party to the conversation offered to
raise an income of $500 per year, and
Mr.. P. G. Curtis answered for the
young men. In short time both
were raised and the Martinsburg City
Band was an accomplished fact. 1t
is fair here to say that fifty ofthe bus
mess and professional men contribut-
ed as honorary members ten dollars
each for one year and since then the
income from concerts, entertainments
and engagements has made it unne-
cessary to make, up to this time, any
further calls on them. Mr.. P. c. Cur
tbs was made, by unanimous vote,
President and Drum Major, and his
deep and abiding interest has long
since proved the wisdom of the
choice. He is the father of the band,
its mainstay, mainsail, jib, boom and
spanker. In the practice room his
excellent musical taste makes him a
safe critic. On parade he heads the
procession, and nothing calculated to
advance the interest of the band es-
capes his watchful eye. To win his
esteem one must be good member.
He looks on carelessneSs or mat
tention as grave crimes. The boys
know this, and seldom sin in that
way, yielding at all times cheerful
obedience to his mild but firm disci-
+ pine. He has a fine set of young
men, and they think they have the
best Drum Major in all the States or
Territories. Mr.. Curtis is a native of
our county, has long been a resident
sponsible position in business, and is
f highly esteemed by all classes. In
selecting an instructor the band aim.
ed high and contracted with Mr..
Adam Itzel, well known in musical
circles of Baltimore and Washington,
. for course of instructions, but he
failed to keep his engagement, and
Mr.. w. P. Chambers, of Harrisburg,
Pa, come to them highly recommend.
ed. Under his tuition they advanc.
ed rapidly, taking their first instruc-
tions, Feb. 9th, 1884, appearing on pa.
rade in May of same year. Feeling
, the necessity of a resident director,
the secretary was instructed to write
to several eminent musicians asking
advice and counsel in the selection OF
competent leader and instructor
Mr.. Jean Missud, Of the celebrated
Salem Cadet Band, spoke in high
terms of Mr.. Fred'k Luscomb, then
directing Cavalry band, and a
correspondence opened with that gen.
tleman resulted in his engagement, to
take effect January 1st, 1886. Mr..
Luscomb was born in Michigan, and
giving early evidence of talent re-
ceived thorough musical education,
having had the advantages offered by
the Boston Conservatory of Music
He is only twenty six but has already
composed several fine overtures, walt
yes, &C., and is very accomplished
clarinetist. He is quiet, unassum-
ing gentleman, and is winning from
our citizens the esteem his modesty
and merits deserve. We are glad to
know that he is pleased with our peo-
pie and our town, and we sincerely
hope he will find life with us both
pleasant and profitable. Under his
careful and cultivated direction the
band has made most gratifying pro-
gress, playing classical music of the
highest order. The summer evening
concerts in the square have given
pleasure to hundreds and hundreds
from all section of the town. AS a
musical organization the band takes
high rank wherever heard. At Pen
Mar they played to an audience of
thousands, and our citizens present
were specially pleased to hear the
very tiattering comments on all side.
The famous Marine Band was present
and played from the same platform,
and we are assured by competent
judges that our boys did not suffer by
the comparison. Altogether the or
ganization is one we have right to
be proud of. Aside from their music
the membership in above reproach.
Three nights of each week are given
to the refining influences of music, no
dissipation has crept in, an oath is
never heard in the band room, the
members are men of character and
standing, and few towns can show its
equal. A glance at the list of men,
bers below shows that it is made I'D
chiefly of our young professional and
business men or their sons.
The officers are as follows: p. C.
Curtis, Pres't; o. F. Welsh, ",
Pres't A. Oden, Sec'y; q. A. Young,
Treas. We give below full instru-
mention and membership. P. c..
curtis, Drum Major; F. Luscomb,
Musical Director; o. F. Welsh, Solo
Clarinet; A. Oden, LIST B. fiat do; C.
Matthaei, End do; D. Supple, Bird do
Z. A. Young, E. fiat do; w. Kogle.
schatz, Piccolo; L. Matthaei, Saxo-
phone; l.. Gerhardt, Solo Cornet; III,
smith, do; do; A. Kogleschatz, LIST
40. .. Riggsby, End do. Bert Sci.
pert, Bird Cornet; G. NJ. Hoke, Eup-
ponlum; F. Evans, Solo Alto; Raw
SWartZ, LIST do: w. III. Smith ond