The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-04-02


treal, through New York State, and re-
turned through New Hampshire. Mr..
Chandler. himself, and generally his
band, has played III nearly every city in
the district bounded by Washington,
Montreal, Detroit, Mich, and St. john,
NIB.
beside his band work MIR. Chandler
has had a generation Of dancers under his
eye and musical direction. The first
dance he ever played for in this city was
at A ". II. Clapp's house on cumberland
street, near Elm,, in 1913. when he was
furnishing music for Brock way, an old
time dancing master. MIR. Chandler did
not take up the violin until after he
came here, and then he picked up his art
without any teacher He was one of the
few men aI THAI time who could "call off"
while he was playing, something that
many musicians have hardsswork to learn.
Mr.. Chandeliers first venture as a music
master for dances was in 1874, when he
started IN with course of Sweden
borgian dances. When be began he had
one assistant with bass viol, and there
were about 8 couples on the floor. The
year be had all orchestra Of seven men
and averaged about 10 couples at each
dance. Fer more than 80 years MIR. Chan
dler had the business of furnishing dance
music all to himself, having such patron
age that early in December he would
There WAS more dancing in those days
than there has been since the advent of
roller skating. which when it declined
left nothing in its place. One year in
Lancaster Hall there were five courses of
from six to twelve dances running ali
days than they do now. MIR. Chandler
remembers two balls of the Irish-Ameri-
can Relief Association 30 years ago. when
he played the last two numbers by day
light MIR. Chandler has done considera-
BILE work in the line of arranging band
music and has also composed several pop
ular melodies.
Decemb her 10, 1881, Mr.. Chandler and
his wife celebrated the fiftieth anniver-
sary of their marriage.
Among the interesting events in the
life of MIR. Chandler is one told of the
veteran bandmaster in connection with
the old Suffolk band of Boston. Ned
Kendall, the famous bualer, was leader
of this band. An engagement had been
made with the band to play at concert
in New York. The second leader was
taken sick, and Mr.. Chandler, whoSlwas
then leading his own band in this city.
was sent for to take the second leaders,
place. AT the concert Kendall was called
on for an encore. 1t happened that the
great bugler was feeling pretty well,
and he started in on a waltz. 1t WAS a
beautiful thing, and, after some varia-
tions, he stopped for a rest, when Cham
dlar took it up and repeated it, follow
ing Kendall note for note, although he
had never seen the music. After the
concert was over Kendall said to Chan
dler, "What was chat waltz played for
an encore?n "'Im sure / don't know
said Chandler, II never heard it in my
life before tonight" "Well, said Ken
dali, 81 improvised that waltz, and I was
astonished to hear you repeat it with
such accuracy"
Another story is told of trip by the
band to Bangor. AT the time it was
very much tie fashion, for great
occasions to secure the services of the
Germania band of Boston instead of
patronizing the home talent. On this
trip to Bangor the band was giving
concert in the public square, deiighting
the great audience. All at once man
who was somewhat intoxicated got on the
bandstand and tried to make trouble.
Finally Mr.. Chandler became aroused and
put the fellow off. As the chap dsap-
peared over the edge of the platform he
sung out "You DID Germanians needn't
put on SO many airs"