The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-23

tricts to give the band yearly benefit A
rehearsal is held once or twice II week in n
room hired for that purpose, and after Il
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, i'll the majority of
cases, know nothing about music from n
classical standpoint, but who appreciate the
discord because of it's patriotic intent. The
Instruments used in the country band are
usually bought Mt secondhand from deal
er in these instruments who has taken
them i'll exchange. The price paid is from
$40 to SO for each instrument. a really
good brass horn of any character is worth
$50. \ brass horn is n good deal like ri
ano-ir never wears out
"A country band is an institution in the
village. IL is regarded in much the same
manner as IL church. 1t would be difficult
to find II village in the country where there
is no church; so is with the band In each
Of these villages there is liable to he II pub
lie spirited man who hasa light knowledge
of music He starts the idea of procuring
band, works up some enthusiasm OH the
subject, and n collection is taken M and
money enough procured to purchase the
instruments, the uniforms being a matter
which is attented to later.
But Bands Have Trouble.
THE next thing is to get Il leader. The.
address of II man is found by consulting
the musical journals who has some knoWl-
edge OF brass music. lie may he 1; carpenter
or even n shoemaker, but he fills the want.
He engages himself for Il small salary TO
lead the band and is given n position in the
village rs clerk or schootcacher or in some
avocation which gives him II small SALARY.
This, together with the money received for
,t.,,.s. -, -
in a comparative degree of comfort; He be-
gins his instruction by teaching the young
men who constitute the band Il 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 III these cases because Il young man
won't remain in the band long unless after
n few weeks practice he can play what
he calls n piece
After the band has been organized,n h,
continued, FOR year the country town
will hold what is called Il band tournament.
This is usually held in connection with the
yearly agricultural fair. The bands from,
all the towns and villages sometimes to
the number of 90 or 80, will assemble in
single day, and the air will inevita-
bly, be filled with the most tOrturing dis
cords. Prizes ranging from 500 down nrc
offered, and n skilled musician is sent for
to decide on the merits of the so called mu
sic. l have myself received as much as
800 n day to act as the arbitrator At 9th
er times three or four well known band in
strument makers act as 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
arise in the bands. The first cornet gets
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 $5 each Probably
the finest outfit owned by any amateur
brass band is that of the Elgn Watch Facto-
ry band. Their uniforms are now for sale,
because the band has disbanded. The uni
forms are valued ut $50 each. They are
made of blue cloth trimmed with gold
The complete outfit is worth 0,0o0.'
The Greatest Discord.
"Whcre did you hear the greatest discoyl
made by an amateur bNnd:" saia J.
The most fearful noise it has cycr Il ril
my misery 10 listem To was that made ~
an indian band on the Puyailup agcncy b
Washington. Tlty screnadcd ~ .
Mis;as,. @ial I'D kEdlcsg. The L..