Evening star., 1897-03-04

ought to have at least tne Danu poItlt II
of the work. When the bids came 10 be
opened however. it was discovered that
the leader of the Marine Band had made
his bid so that it could not be divided, and
on that account he. as well as others who
had bid In that way, were barred from
consideration.
The subcommittee to whom the active
work of opening and scheduling the bids
wac committed decided, after careful weigh
ing Of all the proposals, to award the con-
tracts for the band music to Mr.. Victor
Herbert the leader of the band Of the 22d
Regiment N. Y. S. G., formerly the ia
nous band of the late P. s. Gilmore,
and the orchestral music was given to
Mr.. VIII A. Haley Of this city, the
leader of Haley's Military Concert Band.
The committee decided that there should
be a greater number of musicians, both
for band and orchestra, than ever before,
fixing the former at sixty-five and the
latter at one hundred and twenty-five
This action of the subcommittee was
ratified by the full committee on music,
and was subsequently approved by the ex-
ecutive committee. and the contracts were
duly awarded. AS to Mr.. Herbert's ability
to perform his portion of the work there
was no doubt, because his band has rep
utation perhaps unsurpassed, unless IT
may be by the organization of Mr.. John
Philip Sousa, by any band in the country.
There was also no doubt that Mr.. Haley,
who has earned an-enviable reputation as
musician and organizer in this city,
would be fully able to carry out the en-
gagemont he has made. 1nasmuch as d
| large proportion of his musicians come
| from this city, there has been more active
interest felt in the progress of his orches-
| ira although it will appear but once dur
| ing the inaugural festivities, than has been
| felt in regard to Mr.. Herberts work. Mr..
Haley at once commenced the selection of
| his force, utilizing the best musicians in
| Washington, and engaging from the Ma
| rine Band as many of their skilled musi-
clans as he could employ. Rehearsals have
| been going each week for the past
| month, and at the final rehearsal, given in
| the pension office yesterday. attended not
| only by the full music committee but by a
large representation of the executive COM
| mittee, the opinion was unanimous that
| tonight the people who attend the inaug-
| uration ball will listen to the finest dance
music ever played on such an occasion.
Mr.. William A. Haley.
Mr.. William A. Haley the leader of the
orchestra which will furnish all the dance
music for the Inauguration ball, is a prod
uct of the national capital having beer
| born in this city In 1857. His prediction
for music was manifested at an early age
! and in 1855 he enlisted as an apprentice
| in the United States marine corps and was
| assigned to the band, where his first work
| was a fifer. He was also a genera
utility boy. and carried the music and Al
| times beat the triangle. 1t is rather a sin
gular fact that John Philip Sousa, who is
| perhaps. the greatest band leader that thi.
| country has produced, and Mr.. Haley were
companion apprentices in the Marine Bant
| at that time. Sousa beating the cymbal.
| when the band was split into sections. a:
| they developed In musical power Souss
learned the violin and Mr.. Haley the flut'
| and piccolo the latter becoming piccolt
| soloist of the Marine Band under the lead
ership of Scala. In 1877 both Mr.. Sousa ant
Mr.. Haley left the band and started out oI
| their own careers
NJ Hale ll-:N
became connected with the Germani:
| Orchestra. under Carl Cent?, as flute an,
piccolo soloist. Mr.. Sousa went into tn
Hassler Orchestra, playing second violin
sumed the leadership of the orchestra O
the Philadelphia Church Choir Pinafor
Company. and his career since then is wei
known. While Mr.. Haley was in Phila
as a flute and piccoio soloist, he studie
crchestration with the idea of one day DE
coming a leader himself. In 1882 he com
menced travelling with musical organiza
returning to his native city in 1887 and &C
| cept1ng the position flute and piccol
sosolist In the National Theater Orchestra
In October. 1895. he organized the Wash
| ington Military Concert Band, gatherin
| about him the best musicians In the cit,
q large proportion Of whom had been for
merly members of the Marine Band. Thi
| organization was a success from the star
| A series Of concerts were given during 1t
first year, every one of which was both
financial and an artistic success. The pres
ent season concerts have been given a
the New National Theater, and the success
of last year has been duplicated. TIL
band has improved. of course, in it's wor
and has received accessions to its nun
ber, SO that now 1t can compare favorabl
with any civilian organization Of it's char
acter, and Is the first civilian band in thl
District that has ever met with such cor
: tinued success. Nearly all the members
his band play other instruments, and s
he has in that organization the nucleus
a splendid orchestra. 1t was this nucleu
that enabled him to successfully compel
/. for furnishing the orchestral music fe
the Inauguration ball, and he confidentl
asserts that the 125 men which will con
| pose his orchestra tonight will present be
ter music for the purpose for which It
e intended than has ever been given at a
4 | Inauguration ball. Mr.. Haley is. also
e composer and has written several marcht
!, | that have won favor. In his style of COZ
4 Quoting he very much resembles Mr.. job
Philip Sousa, with whom he is upon ii
warmest personal terms. and for whom !
Y naturally has the greatest admiration.
MI. Victor Herbert.
Mr.. Victor Herbert is ehinently DUAL