The times., 1899-03-06
ENGLAND'S BANDMASTER.
Lieut.. Dan Godfrey Glad to BE in
America Again.


Il am delighted to be in America once
more" said Lieut.. Dan Godfrey last night
to Times reporter, and his CHEEKY face
and genial smile certainly supported his
statement. The famous English bandmas-
ter was in the Raleigh lobby. and one could
hardly have believed that the sandy haired
and ruddy mustached gentleman had seen
forty years service in Her Majesty's Gren-
adler Guards. There is only the slightest
touch of gray in his hair and Father Time
has certainly dealt most lightly with the
sixty odd years of .'the Garter King of
Bandmasters, as the London papers have
called him.
This is only the third time / have
crossed the Atlantic. and since the days
OF the Revolution / believe | am the only
conductor who has brought out military
band from the Old Country to the United
States continued Lieutenant Godfrey
The first time. as perhaps you know, was
in 1872 when ! was granted leave by the
War Office, at the request OF the United
States Government, to take my band, which
was then known as the Grenadier Guards
TO the Boston Peace Jubilee, which was
organized by my dear old friend, Pat Gill
more, now gathered to his rest.
My men were greatly pleased with the
prospect of the trip. Last November when
rangements one or two OF my band could
not come. and that | desired TO make sew
eral additions to the strength of the band.
applications began TO pour in from nearly
all the army bandsmen in England. You
would hardly believe it. but | had some
thing like 500 letters from musicians ask
ing me for an engagement on the Ameri-
can tour. Out of these | had to choose six
men. and | naturally gave the preference
to- oil nait . Afa,, de
| from which four men arranged to get their
discharge so as to come out with me. Ny
men are picked from those who have served
mostly in the Guards regiments, and as
they are much better paid than when on
regimental duty you will understand | can
exercise very wide selection
do you think the friendly feeling in
England toward the United States is con-
tinuing2" was asked Mr.. Godfrey.
Most assuredly it is. Now that the war
is over. it is increasing and deepening be
cause / believe both nations appreciate
now the fact that ii was no temporary en-
thusiasm, but its permanency is being
proved every day.
'One very notable cause. however. has
been the excellence OF the Ministers who
have represented the United States at the
Court of St. James. The names of Lowell
Lincoln Bayard, and Hay are held in the
highest esteem and affection in England
and everyone is looking forward to most
favorable impressions to be created by Mr..
Choate. whose name / may say is already
a household word with us.
The gentlemen | have named did much
by their personal qualities and their mag
netic utterances to induce the kind!iest
/ of feelings in England. There lives in
my memory a speech which ! had the good
fortune TO hear Colonel Hay give III Ion
don at a banquet. He told a story Of a
fellow countryman who had put together
the Union Jack and the 'Star-Spangled
Banner and fioated them back 10 back.
making one flag. from tall staff Some
times in light wind said Colonel Hay the
Union Jack would be seen. then the Star
Spangled Banner. but it took rough
weather TO make them float together |
have only weakly expressed a splendid
simile that was cheered to the echo.
Il feel" said Lieutenant Godfrey. and
hope that the coming tour of my band
will help in a popular way the frendliness
of feeling. and so believe, though it may
seem a small item in the general course of
| international good will. The warmth OF the
! welcome my men received in New York
when l was sailing to England last sum
| mer after the Canadian tour was most
| gratifying.
1t is on account of the present friendli-
! ness that | thought 1t would be appropriate
TO begin my tour in Washington, the home
| of the Republic
1t may be added that one cannot meet
! Lieutenant Godfrey without being I'M
| pressed by his courtesy, genality, and
magnetism.
An interested auditor al the Columbia
| Theatre last night at the United States
/ Marine Band concert was Lieut.. Dan Cod
/ frey, who with a few members of his staff.
| occupied a stage box. He was greatly
pleased with the performance of the crack
| American band, and the most successful
| number OF the evening was "A Comicai
| Contest" with Godfrey the composer.
! After the concert MIR. Godfrey and Mr..
| Santemann had a pleasant meeting. The
| United States Marine Band will tender Mr..
| Godfrey the compliment of a serenade this
afternoon. deferring it from last evening,
! as was first intended.