Morris tribune., 1902-01-18
.SOUsA'S FOREIGN TRIP
Experiences OF the Celebrated
Bandmaster In England.
KEPT UP ALL NIGHT BY THE KING

Mill UF ALI Null D4 Lii A4Nu
Musician Tells How His Band Was
Treated I'm Edward Wis Buffet
Car ON the Way to sandrinshann
/. ana Back Again to London-a Queen
Liked Ragtime Tunes Best.
John Philip Sousa, the celebrated
composer and bandmaster, visited Phil
adelphia a few days ago. When Mr..
sousa arrived in the city, he immedi-
ately called upon ex-Judge Gordon, an
old friend, with whom he took dinner
in the evening. The greater part OF the
famous conductors time in the city
was given up to the task Of telling how
he played before King Edward of
Great Britain on his recent trip to
England During his visit many prom
inent men met Mr.. Sousa in ex-Judge
Gordon's Office, and as each said, "Tell
me all about it," Mr.. Sousa had to re-
hearse the story a score or more times.
"Let me tell you how King Edward
kept my band out until 5 o'clock In the
morning" said Mr.. Sousa to a reporter
for the Philadelphia Press. That's a
nice thing for king to do, isn't it?
Well, you see, we met King Edward
and Queen Alexandra in London on
Dec. /. The king had arranged with
me to hold a concert at Sandringham
palace on that day, as it was the fifty
seventh birthday anniversary Of Queen
Alexandra.
"A special train was in waiting. To-
gether with the royal party, many
members OF the nobility went along.
That train was certainly an indication
Of England's democracy. After we had
been out Of London for three minutes
you couldn't have told a bandman
from knight Of the Garter.
'sOne Of the main features Of the spe-
cial train was buffet car. That was
the reason Why the king Of England
kept my band out until 8 a. N. It was
certainly feast that they had In store
for us. I don't suppose you could men,
ton a wine that wasn't there. The mu-
sicians held in well, though, on the up
trip, because they felt that they, were
representing America, but King Ed
ward kept them eating and drinking.
Say, he's jolly fellow!
81 was very much worried, but when
I arrived at Sandringham found that
the band was still intact. Our pro-
gramme was true American from the
start to finish. had determined that
I would let the king see that we had
good native music. a - l..
"Of course we had to play God Save
the King because that is required at
ali court entertainments. But we eased
our consciences by playing it over
again under the title Of AMERICA and
10 you know the king never betrayed
he slightest sign that he noticed that
he tunes were the same
Little Prince Edward of York want
I'd to come to the concert, but l didn't
have the honor Of playing to him, as
his nurse objected. The little fellow
made noise and went away crying
that if he couldn't hear 'ragtime' by
ny band he'd have some played on his
Later found that while
was holding my concert the boy was
having one by himself up stairs.
81 never felt so much at home in all
ny life at q concert. The king made.
ne feel at ease. Everything was in
'ormal. The chairs of the royal mem
,ers of the party and those of the no.
,ility were placed in artistic confusion,
nd in a gaIlery"-here Mr.. Sousa used
term which must be bad form at
'ourt-"and in a gallery there was a
;ang of court attaches.
Call the. music seemed to take with |
he king. The queen and all the other
oval ladies seemed to like the rag |
ime' best. They clapped like gallery
.ods when 1 played 'Whistling Rufus
But the king seemed best pleased with
Hands Across the Sea- I guess he
bought of that old saw that blood is
Kicker than water. =
''Well, after the concert proper had
oncluded, the royal equerry notified
ne that his majesty the king wished to
peak with me. King Edward said
ONE awfully nice things about Amer
ian music and particularly the num-
ers I had rendered. Then''-here came
mother word not in the court dictiona
y-"then he yanked out Victorian
ledal-a silver medal such as is given
, men considered of high artistic mer
!. He asked me to accept it as a to-
en- of the respect Of himself and the
ueen.
''My, but / was embarrassed! sup
ose that the bow l made was very |
wkward. When l went back to the
lusic stand, the band men heightened
~ confusion. All through the next
played as an encore,
} to speak, heard small voices say
lg, I wonder what the king gave
imp %
"Then the Prince Of Wales came for
ard and asked that l let him pin the
edal on my coat. Did l do it? Well,
couldn't refuse him. l don't believe !
~ other American musician was ever
onored SO highly. lam sure that am !
lie first to receive a decoration.