Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-07
THE MARINE BANDS TRIP.
1t Wins an Enthusiastic Success in Its Bos
ton Performances.


The United States Marine Band appears to
have captured by the first assault the musical
heart of Boston. A special dispatch to The
STAR on Saturday announced the success Of
Friday nights performance and the enthu-
siasm Of the audience. The Saturday evening
CARTE says of the band:
ut is splendid organization that gave
ample evidence of fine training under able di-
rection. The body of tone il well balanced,
rich and sonorous and it is handled with a
skill that produces exquisitely delicate effects
when occasion calls for them. On the whole,
it is, perhaps. the best band of its kind in the
country. The solo players are all brilliant per-
formers. the clarinetists in particular being
exceptionally fine. The first oboist has a noble
tone and beautiful technique. The band
numbers some sixty musicians and were very
impressive in their handsome uniforms. Their
performances were enthusiastically applauded,
and encores were so frequent that the already
long program was unduly extended"
The Sunday Times devotes considerable space
to its criticism of the performance, which, it
declares. was an enthusiastic success such
music, ii goes on to say, 'as theirs is most in
spiriting, to say nothing Of its thorough must
cianly excellence. From beginning to end the
program was thoroughly enjoyed and encores
were very generously granted. The band which
is so entirely and warmly admired and appre-
ciated at the capital, is making its present tour
for the purpose of showing its real merit to
other residents of the republic. And certainly
ii is an organization of which we have reason
to be proud. Mr.. John Philip sousa, its con-
ductOr, fills the position in a manner to win
from an audience the warmest admiration and
sympathy, both musician and man. His
musicianly intelligence is unquestionable and
his easy understanding and control of his
forces is noteworthy. The band is composed of
musicians of specially well-harmonized excel
lence. and a contingent more capable of giving
genuine and universal enjoyment it would be
hard to find. Everything was de-
lightfully rendered, with refinement and
virIiity of expression that made its spirited
vitality the more enjoyable. 1t was no wonder
enthusiasm greeted the superb effects accom-
plished."
The Globe said: Conductor John Philip
sousa, waving his baton over the gorgeously
uniformed United States Marine Band, made
an easy capture of the musical heart of Boston
last Friday night. The Presidents famous
orchestra will be heard again tonight, and MIR.
SOusas celebrated transposition of Nearer, My
God, to Thee, specially arranged for President
Garfield's funeral, and played for the first time
over his tomb at Cleveland, Ohio, is on the
program"
The Sunday morning Courier remarked:
''Ihe tour of the United States Marine Band,
now In progress, cannot fail to attract the at
tention of all good citizens of this republic, who
try. The band has been in existence for 100
years, during which time its fortunes have
ried greatly. 1t not officially recognized
until 1856, and Gen. Grant was among the first
of the Presidents who took sufficient interest in
the organization to place it on its present foot
ing. 1t now consists of nearly fifty members,
and recent bill, favorably reported, will in
crease this number to seventy-two. This is as
1t should be. for, all other nations maintain
similar bands. there is no reason why this coun-
try should not do so as well. : The first
concert at Music Hall, Friday evening. was very
successful In point of program. performance
and audience. In the playing of the
band fine quality Of wood wind was shown,
and the balance of the different instruments
was found to be excellent. The one objection
able feature was the undue preponderancc of
the PERCUSSION and heavy brass instruments,
which is a natural result of playing almost con-
stantly out of doors. Mr.. SOusa proved to be "a
conductor OF signal ability. and his own COM
position demonstrated that he is q musician of
real talent"