Omaha daily bee., 1898-05-29
rr,M 7nEnn


INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION VIII open us uOOTS
TO the cultured and refined OF all the world
and proclaim to them the achievements OF
these United States in all that may be
elassed as products OF civilization. In the
domain OF music our country has done much
during the past few years; more than the
many that preceded them. A few years
ago we were obliged to look TO Europe II
we wanted any music written Of a high or
der. In 1876, for the opening of the Cen
tennial Exposition, 1t was deemed necessary,
in order to secure music suitable to SO grand
an occasion, to hire Richard Wagner to com
pose a march. He did compose one; a dis
grace to him and to us. II was accepted,
performed and consigned TO obloquy and
oblivion. BY the time we got TO the Worlds
fair we had discovered that we had some
composers OF our own and George w. Chad
wick OF Boston was selected TO compose the
music for the opening exercises. The must
cal department of the Transmississippi Ex-
position has secured a work composed by
Mrs. Beach, also OF Boston, which Will be
performed for the first time next Wednes-
day. II Is for brass band and chorus and
It is said that the scoring for the instru-
ments is novel and interesting.
The musical department OF the exposition
has before 1t an opportunity Unprecedented
IN tne history VI me Ntot W. thS
upbuilding Of musical art in this part OF the
United States. An enormous amount of
money has been appropriated, a magnificent
auditorium built, a band stand erected that
is In itself a work OF art and a monument
to the generosity OF the managers OF the
exposition. Everything that could have been
done seems to have been done since the
music was started on its career. What
money will do is likely to be done and in
deed is being done to make the musical de-
partment as nearly what 1t might have been
In the beginning without any such expedi-
ture; 1t is therefore proper to expect a
series of entertainments such as this part
of the country has never heard before.
The Thomas orchestra will prove n tower
of strength and will afford to the unsteady
inclined a chance for securing a liberal
education at a nominal cost, for In the
hearing Of music is great profit, music
being sound and only to be learned by
hearing. The conductor, Mr.. Arthur Mees,
Is a thorough musician, experienced in all
the duties that will devolve upon him. lie
was born in Columbus, o., in 1850, was
educated in Europe, studying under kullak,
Weitzmann and Dorm, was one of the found
ers of the Cincinnati College OF Music. di-
rector of the Cincinnati May festival chorus
II Is IL tllON VI liz III Il SOilNbc "
Musicians. During the last year ne has
been assistant conductor to Theodore
Thomas of the Chicago orchestra. Mr.
Mees is a thoroughly educated gentleman, {
student of philosophy, as well as music
and a writer of wide reputation and ac.
knowledged ability. If the musical Cepart'
ment attempts to keep abreast of he time!
and publish an analytical program 10 ont
could be found better able to prepare /
than Mr.. Mees.
Omaha Is particularly fortunate in pos
sessing a large number of first-class musi
clans who are able to carry forward tn,
education of the people of this section al
well as the teachers of Chicago or even Ncv
York could do under the same circum
stances that prevail here regarding publ
performances. 1t will be the pleasant priv
ilege of the musical department OF the ex
position to bring this fact to the notice o
the army Of visitors to the auditorium con
certs and while no engagements have beel
announced 1t is surely safe to prophesy tina
the leading performers will be frequently
heard at these concerts. In no other wa,
can the richness of local talent, whic1
should attract students from all the middl
west, become known to those who atten,
the exposition concerts and unless 1t |
hhoWu liz COHCeTtS Will De or HUI
permanent value to this city. Instructio,
is the one thing that one can sell owe
and over again and still have as rich
store for the next buyer as for the first
Omaha should be a. center of musical learn
Ing and of musical instruction.
HOMER MOORE.
WASHINGTON, May 2~7.-(Special )-Fo
the hrst time in several years the Marin
band, attached to the Marine barracks. 1
the City of Washington, will 20 outside q
the capital city for any length of time. Dur
Ing the days of the Nashville exposition tn
pand was permitted to give two concerts 1
that city. 1t was also allowed to participat
in the Chicago horse show, but not sine
Sousa left 1t has it been permitted to nc
cept any engagements extending over an
considerable length Of time until Senate
Thurston and the members of the Nebrask
delegation in congress succeeded in Undue
Ing the president to change his decision tina
the band should not go to Omaha to particI
pate IN the opening of the Transmississip
and International Exposition. While to tn
residents OF Washington the band of tn
United States Marine corps would appea
TO have existed since the foundation of tn
government, in point OF fact, this famou
organization Is not yet 100 years old.
=" eohe tihe ulteT, OF ABOUT the time {
the war OF 1912, that a small band of Italia
musicians was landed upon American shore
and induced to take service at the marin
headquarters in this city. The little ban
OF those days formed the neuclus of tn
present famous American organization
which has grown and changed in its nation
Atty, huctuating in its characteristics, az
cording to the moulding influence of tn
controlling power which ruled its destin
At one time the membership was eve
greater than at the present date, but Ii
larger organization had but a brief. thong
brilliant, existence. A t present the fore
consists OF fifty musicians, all of whom al
well trained and thoroughly competent
perform the ~exacting duties required of the
by the band master. The band is not on
a band OF the United States Marine corp
but 1t Is the presidents band, and the bar
which gives summer concerts three tim,
each week to the public of Washington
the White House grounds, in the east frol
OF the capitol, and at the Marine barrack
1t is perhaps through these concerts, as niue
N a ANYTHING tho D haAl L..