National Republican., 1886-10-23
Woodward & Lothrop,
No. 1913 # Street Northwest.

both these subjects, that he was constantly
being interviewed concerning the perform
ances of the band, and that he was almost
morbidly averse to having anything printed
about him. Consequently he will probably
be very much mortified when he reads this
paragraph.
"Pray, how old is your band, Mr.. sousa"
i asked.
81 really can't tell YOU" he said. "You
can get full history of 1t, / suppose, from
the commandant Of the marine corps; but
all know about 1t is that the original band
was picked up in Italy, came to this coun-
try perhaps seventy or eighty years ago on
a United States flagship, and was trans
ferred to the marine barracks, where 1t has
been ever since.n
"Can you give me any sort of idea who
have been its leaders in all that time?n
& ~ think | can. Let's see the original
leader was named Carusi, whose son Is now
practicing law IN Washington. The second
leader Nas Antonio Pons, who is still
living at the age OF S5, and is on the retired
list. Then came Trei, who died In the
service. The fourth leader was Francisco
Scala, who held that position for twenty
five years, and who also is now on the
retired list. The next was Henry Freese,
and the next Louis Snyder, both OF whom
were dismissed. The next and seventh was
your humble servant"
"Were you promoted from the ranks OF
the band, or did you have musical career
elsewhere before being called to your
present position ~
~ never studied music abroad, but en-
joyed some flrst-class instruction In this
country, such as that of George Felix
Benkert. Before | became leader OF the
band Travelled great deal with opera
companies, and was In Kansas City on that
business when was offered the place here.
II h.r In. nN sI. nd
German parents, and have been listening to
the Marine Band, except when was away
from the city, all my life. Indeed, was In
the band myself about eighteen months
when / was boy"
"Can you give me some idea of the make
up of the band"
"Yes; 1t is composed of thirty.elght pieces.
Our wind instruments are ten B.ilat clari-
onets, one flute, two hautboys, two bas-
soons, one E.fiat clarionet, and two saxi-
phones. Our brasses are one solo cornet,
one first cornet, one second cornet, two
trumpets, four French horns, four from
bones, one B-llat alto horn, one euphonum,
two basses, and battery Of drums, Gym
balls, and triangles. or these performers
two comets, three clarionets, one flute, one
hautboy, one French horn, one euphonium,
and one trombone are the solos OF the
bapd.n
"What would the band do II you were
il?"
"Then they would be led by the assist
ant leader, Mr.. Salvador Petrola, the first
cornet.n
"Are there many changes in the band ?'
"There are not For instance, there are
at least ten Of its members who have be-
lopged to 1t for more than fifteen years.n
'Isn't the band a fat berth ?"
"Not at all. We enjoy some perquisites
and good many privileges aud honors, but
| our salary Is much too small. We do an
| immense amount Of professional work the
year round, and yet the total expenses OF
| the band are only about $4,000, or about
the same that New York city pays for a
weekly concert In one Of Its parks for few
| weeks In the summer. | receive only 900
| year In pay and allowances, the ilrstclass
musicians OF the band get only $45 month,
and the second-class only $2S a month, all
| told. The consequence Is that In order to
| live have to work very hard as musical
| author, and the members OF the band have
to play in the orchestras of the different
theaters. Considering that our band and
| the West Point band are the only two bands,
| as such, that the government supports,
think 1t ought to be better supported That
| It is not makes 1t mighty hard work, tell
you, to fill q vacancy when 1t occurs with a
flrst-class man."
"Who has been the greatest benefaotor
OF the Marine Band?"
"Well, not MIR. Carter ii. Harrison. 1t
Is true that, before my day somewhat, he
prevented the band from being disbanded.
But IL is my impression that II was mis-
fortune. II the band had been abolished,
It would have been necessary to reorganize
1t, and another would necessarily have been
created, and on, think, more liberal prin-
ciples, Mr.. Harrison meant well, but we
never think of him with any special grati-
| tude, The bands greatest friend was Gen.
Grant, who, / believe, has never been