Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-20
PLANS FOR THE BIG BAND.

The Effort to Form an Organization Truly
Representative of Pittsburg's Musical
TaIent-The Part Taken by the Expo
sition Society-Cost OF the Scheme.
A number of prominent local musicians
and the directors of the Exposition are
working together to create band that shall
be fully representative of the musical
talent the city contains and a more
ambitious organization than any that has
hitherto existed in Pittsburg The musical
leaders in this movement are Prot. William
Guenther and Prof Ruhe, both of whom
have had large experience in the direction
Of orchestral bodies, and who will be pre-
pared to act respectively as director and
assistant director of the new organization.
The directorate of the Exposition Society
is heartily in favor of the project, and will
lend all the assistance in their power, while
Manager Johnston, of the Exposition, has
been empowered to assist Messrk Guenther
and Ruhe in the practical working out OF,
the scheme.
The Exposition people expect to avail
themselves of the bands services next fall,
and the band, if it is formed, will bear the
title of Pittsburg Exposition Band. The
plan, as proposed. is TO select from the best
performers in this city about 65 men, all
artists, such as can readily be found among
the 400 or 500 musicians who make Pitts
burg their home. Additional soloists to the
number of 10 or - will be engaged in New
York or other musical centers, thus making
the effective force of the band IS men. The
uniform proposed is something in the style
of that worn BY the Seventh Regiment
Band, of New York, which played at the
Exposition last fall. namely, dark sack coat,
1x- II IL t,-ith
side, white vest, and cap of regular army
pattern with the letters P. E. B. in front.
The Cost of the Plan.
To organize and equip such band will
cost, it is estimated by Messrs Guenther
and Ruhe, S5,000 and toward this the musi-
clans themselves are ready to subscribe
1000, leaving $1,000 to be raised from
other sources. The Exposition Society is
prepared to engage the band for the season
next fall, and from the pay of the musicians
fo- that engagement the $1,000 will be de-
Quoted. The additional sum of $1,000 will
be required for music, instruments, ETC.,
and this it is hoped music-lovers in this
city will readily contribute when they
realize what aid to the cause of music the
establishment of such band will lend. The
band will be permanent organization ready
to take part in all the large musical events
bers of it shall join the National League of
Musicians, in order that the band may be
able to play anywhere and in conjunction
with any other musical bodies. In this way
the differences between rival unions, which
have disrupted musical circles here SO often,
it is hoped may be avoided.
Mr.. GuenJher is enthusiastic upon the
subject and so is Mr. Ruhe, and both have
sounded their brethren sufficiently to be
safe in saying that if the So, 600 required is
subscribed by the wealthy patrons of music
in this city, the band can be organized and |
practice begun in a few weeks time. An |
other feature of the scheme is to create q |
permanent orchestra, of the character of the |
Boston symphony Orchestra, from the ma
terial composing the band.
A Statement From Manager Johnston.
As to the Exposition Society's share in |
the enterprise, Manager Johnston said yes |
terday: ''The directors of the Exposition |
are desirous of employing local musicians |
to furnish the music next season, and the |
scheme to form band, partly for this pur-
pose, has their entire approval The Expo
sition will give such a band profitable and
long engagement, and will enable it to win
a wide reputation at the start. The aid of
the public to the extent of So, 600 is.all that |
is needed, and 1 should think there
were more than enough patrons of music to
furnish such sum. As to the bona
fde character of the enterprise the names of
Messrs. Guenther and Ruhe should be evil
lence enough, and the Exposition Society is
'eady to do all in its power to ensure the
success of the undertaking.
'I have looked into all the details of the
matter, the price of instruments and the
Of the proper men and I am
sure the plan can be carried out for the sum
named. believe that such band would
the support of the community and
prove big advertisement as we'll as a
source Of pleasure and pride to Pittsburg."