Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-11
THE MARINE BAND.
Preparing for Its Coming Concert Tour I
Eastern and Western Cities.

Preparing for Its Coming Concert Tour to
Eastern and Western Cities.
There is good deal of footing and blowing
and scraping going on at the marine barracks
just at present. and as the first of April APP
proaches the neighborhood round about this
spot becomes fuller and fuller of sound and
melody and music until it is likely that when
that day arrives the entire Navy Yard will be
thorouhly permeated with harmony. The
cause of all this activity on the part
Of the Marine Band, which is re-
sponsible for the sounds, is pro-
spective trip Of concerning through part of
the country for which it has been rehearsing
for nearly month past. Last December letter
was receivedby the Secretary Of the Navy from
Mr.. Blakely, one Of the best known musical
managers in the country, who handled the
Gilmore Band aggregation on its trip,
showing how eager are the people who do not
have a chance to visit Washington to hear the
Marine Band, which has grown into such q rep
utation that it is regarded by many as the true
Mecca of American music. He went on to say
that as only few people are able to hear the
band in this city, where ii usually stays, he
wanted to take it on a trip of from four to six
weeks. SO that the principal cities might be
visited and part at least Of the people given
the opportunity they desire. He said: 1T would
seem to me that the people might be served in
this matter and the public service thereby actu-
ally advanced, and that it would not be at all
unwise for the authorities to permit the band
to make such a tour in the interest Of hrst-class
music in this country"
THE SECRETARY AND PRESIDENT CONSENT,
Upon the receipt of this letter the Secretary
sent for Director Sousa and talked the matter
over with him, and then sent him over to the
White House to present the case to the Presi-
dent Tho c1avar han L.,
ton to the President in SO adroit way and
made it so clear that by sending the band out
on a semi-oficial tour the American taste for
good music would be advanced and that every-
body Is better for having heard such music
that the President came to the same conclu-
sion without much hesitancy. So the tour was
authorized by the authorities here, and ar
engagements were made at once for its consum-
nation.
This trip is largely in the nature Of an enter
prise Of the part of the New York manager
who assumes entire charge of the band and
guarantees 1t a certain salary while gone. The
government bears share Of the expense
whatever, simply letting the band take this
form OF leave of absence, with permission to
play in uniform and with all the prestige Of
being the government band.
Twenty-eight cities will be visited, beginning
with New Haven on the LIST Of April and ending
with Washington on the 4th Of May. The trip
will take the band through New England
upper New York, the middle states and as far
west as Omaha There will be thirty-fve con-
certs. Two days will be spent in Chicago at
the urgent request Of the auditorium manage
ment.
The musicians, forty-eight in all, will travel
In a special car and with all comforts There
will be one vocalist whom Manager Blakely has
selected, Miss Marie Decca, well-known in this
city and elsewhere.
NO CANADIAN RECIPROCITY.
As soon as the word was sent out by Manager
Blakely that the band was about to take q tour
requests flowed in for dates from all possible
sources, including large number Of Canadian
| cities. One town especially placed q high fig
ure on its bid for evening, but when the
proposition was submitted to Prof. Sousa as to
whether or not he wanted to go across the line
with his band he replied that as the trip was but
short one. and there could be only limited
number OF cities visited, he thought aside from
mere business reasons, that the American peo-
pie should be given the first chance to hear the
band, especially as the tour was to be largely
| one Of musical education. And 30 he promptly
put his foot down on the reciprocity scheme for