Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-20

tricts to give the band IL yearly benefit A
rehearsal is held once or twice week in a
room hired for that purpose, and after a
few weeks of practice the country band is
able to play the Star Spangled Banner
and few other popular airs TO the delight
of the citizens, who, in the majority of
cases, know nothing about music from a
classical standpoint, but who appreciate the
discord because of its patriotic intent. The
instruments used in the country band are
usually bought at secondhand from Il deal.
err in these instruments who has taken
them in exchange. The price paid is from
$40 to SIS for each instrument. A really
good brass horn Of any character is worth
$50. A brass horn is a good deal like a pi-
ano-it never wears out.
"A country band is an institution in the
village. 1t is regarded in much the same
manner as a church 1t would be difficult
to find a village in the country where there
is no church; so it is with the band. In each
of these villages there is liable to be pub,
lie spirited man who has slight knowledge
of music. He starts the idea Of procuring
a band, works up some enthusiasm on the
subject, and Il collection is taken up and
money enough procured to purchase the
Instruments, the uniforms being a matter
which is atteuted TO later
But Bands Have Trouble.
The next thing is to get leader The
address of a man is found by consulting
the musical journals who has some knowl-
edge Of brass music. He may be carpenter
or even a shoemaker, but he fills the want.
He engages himself for small salary to
lead the band and is given 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 to live
in a comparative degree Of comfort. He be-
gins his instruction by teaching the young
men who constitute the band number of
easy pieces written especially for beginners.
This is not the method employed in giving
a fundamental idea of music but it is nee
essary in these cases, because a young man
won't remain in the band long unless after
a few weeks practice he can play what
he calls "a piece
After the band has been organized" he
continued, for year the country town
will hold what is called a band tournament.
This Is usually held IN connection with the
yearly agricultural fair. The bands from
all the towns and villages, sometimes to
tho number of 30 or so. will assemble IN
q single day, and the air will inevita-
bly, be filed With the most tUrturing dis.
cords. Prizes ranging from 800 down are
offered, and sRilled musician IS sent for
to decide on the merits of the 50 called mu.
sic l have myself received as much as
500 day to act as the arbitrator. At 9TH
er times three or four well known band In
strument makers act az judges without
pay. They dare not refuse to act because
of the fear OF losing custom. AS in nearly
every case where bodies Of men are gath.
cred together for any purpose, jealousieS
l. q
the idea into his head that he is better fit
ted to lead the band than the man who has
been imported for that purpose, the result
being that the leader is usually displaced
and the first cornetist takes his place.
AT the end of the year the band has be-
come worth enough money to purchase uni
forms. These cost about SIS each Probably
the finest outfit owned by any amateur
brass band is that of the Elgin Watch Facto-
ry band. Their uniforms are now for sale,
because the band has disbanded. The uni
forms are valued at $50 each. They are
made OF blue cloth trimmed with gold.
The complete outfit Is worth $4,000"
The Greatest Discord.
Where did you hear the greatest discord
made by an amateur band" said l.
The most fearful noise it has ever been
my misery to lister to was that made by
an Indian band on the Puyallup agency In
Washington. They serenaded me with
mistaken zeal and kindness. The band
master Is a native Indian. and every man in
the organization Is Of the same race. The
curious thing about this band. however. is
that the individual members OF 1t are prob
ably the richest bandsmeE in the world.
The Puyallup agency was recently sold,
and each Indian. as q result OF the sale, Is
worth at least $4,000 As there are Is men
in the band. exclusive OF the leader, 1t will
be seen that the Puyaliup Brass band 10
worth $500 The bandmaster himself
Is said to be worth an equal amount This
might literally be said to be the music
which soothes the savage breast but 1t
certainly doesn't ravish the ear"
What are the finest amateur bands you
ever heard in America" said /.
II think that the Fort Wayne City band
and the Thirteenth Battalion band Of Ham
ilton, Ont, easily bear Off the palm. Both
Of these organizations play the highest class
music in a capable manner. OF course they
do not compare with the better class bands
in the larger cities, but as comparative
amateur performers have never heard
them excelled."
What Is the greatest brass band In the
world, in your opinion" said !.
The Finest on Earth.
at is generally recognized throughout
the civilized world that the Garde Republic
aine of Paris is the most finished and su-
perb of all the bands in Europe. IL has
mem bership of 20 performers. Curiously
enough, the name Of its leader Is Paris. He
was recently appointed to the position after
passing an examination at the Paris con-
servatoire, which includes among it's board