Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-01
Prof. Fanciulli Has Left This City
For New York.
Mr.. ZMMERMANN'S QUALIFICATIONS
Local Musicians Opposed to Gov
eminent Competition.
A PETITION ROPOSED

half and adding:
During my five years sojourn in your
beautiful city as leader Of the Marine Band
have made many friends and formed
many warm attachments. And 1t 10 with
sincere regret that 1 take my departure
from the city where had hoped to make
my home. I do not know how to express
my appreciation for the kindness shown
me by the press Of the city. and the fight
made in my behalf incident to the little un-
pleasantness of last Decoration day. In
response to the suggestion that 1t is desir-
able to have an American for leader of the
Marine Band, I desire to say that while
1 am not a native born. am In spirit, and
in fact. an American in the fullest sense
of the word And although / have severed
my connection with the band, which has
been the pride Of my life and which I have
labored SO hard to bring up to the highest
standard of musical excellence 1 shall con-
tinue to be an American. Now after put
ting in five of the best years Of my life
in the service of the government, go forth
to begin again at the bottom, and all l
can ask is the continued good wishes and
good cheer of the friends l have made
in this city. 1t Is my hope that in the very
near future shall visit your beautiful CAPT.
tai with a musical organization of my own.
a musical organization composed of artists,
in thorough sympathy with its leader, and
loving people of Washington
The New Leader.
Charles A. Zimmermann who succeeds
Prof. Francesca Fanciulli as leader of the
band, inherits his musical talents, as both
his parents were Of musical families. His
father, the late Charles G. Zimmerman,
was a good musician, and was a member
of the Naval Academy Band for many
years. During the exciting period of the
civil war the Naval Academy was removed
to Newport, r. l., where. in 1862. Charles
A. Zimmerman was born. After the STIR
ring climaxes Of the war the academy Off
Gals decided that there was no place like
home, and, accordingly, removed to An
napolis in 1865, where Prof. Zimmerman
has since lived. story is told that when
he was but six years old a cute little three
quarter violin was placed in his hands. He
wept for joy upon receiving 1t, and after
ward in sorrow because he could not play
like papa" He progressed rapidly on the
violin, and when but niIIe years of age was
placed at piano. This at once became
his favorite instrument and has ever since
continued to be so. At the age of fourteen
young Zimmerman entered the Peabody
Conservatory of Music, where he studied
under the celebrated instructors, Prof. AS
ger Hamerick and Madame Nanette Falk
Auherach. After three years hard and dill
igent work at this institution he was grad
uated with high honors.
Travelling for a few years he again re-
that practical experience should be COM
bired with theoretical knowledge, he en-
listed in the Naval Academy Band. After
short service he was selected by the
naval authorities to be leader of the band.
He was then only twenty-four years of
age, and had the distinction of being the
youngest leader of a government band in
the country. AS there were numerous
applicants for the situation, all older and
perhaps more experienced than young Zim-
mermann he was consequently much sur
prised when he received his appointment
and became master of some thirty men,
most Of whom were twice his age. In his
ten years as musical director at the Acad-
envy he has brought the band to a high,
degree of perfection, SO that now, after
the Marine Band, it is the best known
government organization of it's kind in
the United States.
At the time of Sousas resignation from
the Marine Band Zimmerman was promi-
nently mentioned his probable success
to be made by his friends. He now ac-
cepts the appointment, which was rendered
him without any personal effort being made
for the place.
Characteristics as a Leader.
Like Sousa, he has that fire and dash in
the artistic manipulation of the baton that
is so appreciated by the musical public
His personal magnetism and enthusiasm
are also infused into his men. who are
movement or look His style of directing
is peculiarly his own and we'll calculated
to bring out the finer points of the compo-
sitions. Prof. Zimmerman is a great
pressionist, L. E., every sign of express
sion from the very slightest pianissimo to
the loudest fortissimo must be scrupulously
observed Prof. Zimmerman is a strict
disciplinarian, yet he is very popular with
his men.
AS composer Prof. Zimmerman stands
very high. His compositions are of q wide
and varied range.
He has written fifteen twenty masses,
arranged for full orchestra, organ and
voices, for st. Mary's Church, where he has
been organiSt since he was a mere lad.
Every year it has been his custom to dedi-
cafe new two-step or waltz to the grad
uating class, which compliment was greatly
appreciated by the ''admirals." 1t became
his duty also to score the numerous op-
erettas of some talented student librettist.
his more pretentious works in this line are
The Water Nymph' and the American
Minister" both of which are worthy of
special commentator. Having studied all
SYKES. fEoI. zimmerman. nevertheless, has
MS own, which both pleases the ear and
popuiarizes his compositions at once HIS
originality will be much appreciated in this
age age, OF musical imitation: His great popu-
iarfty with the "admirals" otherwise the
CADETS. Is shown by the numerous medals
that ne possesses Besides these he has re-
ceived no end of batons which include ,
eoid and several silver ones as well as
ues highly. e va"
III Is not as yet known whether or not he
VIII make any changes in the personnel of
me marine Band, but 1t can be safely said
mat whatever action he takes win he far
the best interests of the organiza fion. AS
was demonstrated by his command over
the academy band. he is quick to rec ognize
taient and acknowledge true worth 1t is
not improbable that he will Immediately
ask icr larger quota of men and higher
salaries. so that ii will be possible to in
which they at present hesitate to do.
Prof. zimmerman has often stated that
1t Is his sole ambition to become the leader
OF the greatest band in the country, both
numerically and artistically. That he nm
dersfands the government of large assem-
biases was demonstrated by his perfect
management OF the inaugural orchestra at
Cleveiand's first term, which he directed.
The Marine Bands engagements,
In regard to the discussion concerning the
To - Na nd ID l.