The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-22

tricts to give the band yearly benefit A
rehearsal Is held once or twice a week in a
room hired for that purpose and after a
few weeks Of practice the country band is
able 10 play the star SpanRled Banner
and few other popular airs TO the delight
of the citizens, who, In the majority Of
cases. know nothing about music from
classical standpoint, but who appreciate the
discord hccausco f its patriotic intent The
instrument used in the country band are
usually bought at secondhand from deal
or in these Instruments who has taken
them in exchange. The price paid is from
$40 TO sl5 for each instrument. \ really
good brass horn a. any character is worth
$50 a brass horn Is a good deal like pi-
ano-it never wears ont.
"A country baud Is an institution In the
village II Is REGARDED in much the same
manner as % church. Il would be difficult
10 find village in the country where there
is no church, so IL is with the band In each
Of these villages there is liable to be a pub
lie spirited man who has slight knowledge
of music lie starts the idea Of procuring
a band, works up some enthusiasm on the
subject, and collection is taken mp and
money enough procured TO purchase the
instruments, the uniforms being a matter
which is attcnted 10 later.
But Bands Have Trouble.
The next thing Is to get n leader. The
address Of man is found 10y consulting
the musical Journals who has some knowl-
edge Of brass music. lie may be a carpenter
or even "A shoemaker bat he fills the want.
lie engages himself for a small salary TO
lead the band and is given a position In the
village as clerk or schoolteacher or in some
avocation which gives him small salary.
This, together with the money received for
services as musician, enables him 70 live
In a comparative degree of comfort. lie be-
gins his Instruction by teaching the Young
men who constitute the band "A number Of
easy pieces written especially for beginners.
This is not the method employed In giving
fundamental idea Of music. but Il Is nee
essary In these cascs. because a Young man
won't remain ia the band long unless after
few weeks practice he can play what
he calls "A piece
AFTER the band has been organized" be
continued. "for a year the country town
will hold what Is called band tournament
This Is usually hold in connection with the
yearly agricultural fair. The bands from
all the towns and Villages, sometimes d
the number Of 20 or 30, will assemble Ia
a single day, aud the air will ine,ita
bly, be filed with the most torturing dis
cords Prizes ranging from tluO down arr
offered and a skilled musician j. sent fol
10 decide on the merits OF the 50 called mu
sic. ! have myself received as much a.
SOD a day 20 act as the arbitrator A. 9th
e. timrs three or four well known band In
Etrumcnt mnkens act a. Judges without
pay. They da-e not REFUSE To- act becausi
Of the fear of losing custom. As boz nearly
every case whefe hadiC- ~ men are gath
cred together TO- auy purpose, icalousici
arise in the lauds The llst curuct get
the idea into his bead that he is better ID
ted To lead thc band than the man who ha
been imported COR that purpose, the resul
being that the leader b. usually displace'
aud the FIRST cornetist takes his place.
'A the end Of the year the hand has be
come worth enough money 20 purchase uni
forms. These cost about fl5 each. PROBABLY
tha finest outfit owned BY any amAbsu