Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1902-01-18
S0USA'S FOREIGN TRIP
Experiences of the Celebrated
Bandmaster In England.
KEPT UP ALL NIGHT BY TIE KING

Musician Tells How His Band Wa,
Treated In Edward Wills Bufe
Car ON the Way to Scandinavian
and Back Again to London-Queer
Liked Ragtime Tunes Best.
John Philip Sousa, the celebrated
composer and bandmaster, visited Phil
adelphia 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-Judye
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 cut until o'clock in the
morning." said Mr.. Sousa to a reporter
for the Philadelphia Press. That's a
nice thing for a 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 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 bandman
from knight Of the Garter.
Zone of the main features of the spe-
cial train was the buffet car. That was
the reason why the king of England
kept my band out until 3 a. N. 1t was
certainly feast that they had in store
for us. don't suppose you could men,
ton wine that wasn't there. The mu-
sicians held In well, though, on the up
trip, because they felt that they were
America. but King Ed
ward kept them eating and drinking.
Say. he's jolly fellow.
II was very much worried, but when
arrived at Sandringham l found that
the band was still intact. Our pro-
gramme was true American from the
start to finish. had determined that
would let the king see that we had |
good native music
"Of course we had to play God Save
he King because that is required at
III court entertainments. But we eased !
'ur consciences by playing it over
gain 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.
d to come to the concert, but didn't
ave the honor of playing to him, as
lis nurse objected. The little fellow
1ade a noise and went away crying
hat If he couldn't hear ragtime' by
~ band he'd have some played on his
Later >und that while
was holding my concert the boy was
aving one by himself up stairs.
II never felt SO much at home In all
~ life at concert. The king made
lie feel at ease Everything was in
,rmal. The chairs of the royal mem
Frs Of the party and those of the ne ,
lity were placed in artistic confusion,
I'd in a gallery" Mr.. Sousa used +
term which must be bad form at |
'urt-"and in a gallery there was :
ing of court attaches. .
"All the music seemed to take with ! ,
e king. The queen and all the other
yal ladies seemed to like the rag
me- best. They clapped like gallery
IDS when played 'Whistlng Rufus
1T the king seemed best pleased with r
lands Across the Sea- l guess he
ought of that old saw that blood IS I
ECKER than water.
We'll, after the concert proper had
Included, the royal equerry notified
that his majesty the king wished to
eak with me. King Edward said
ne awfully nice things about Amer t
N music and particularly the num- 81
rs had rendered. Then"-here came
other word not in the court dictiona. II
then. he yanked out Il Victorian
dal-a silvet medal such as is given -.
men considered of high artistic mer-
lie asked me to accept it as a to
OF the respect of himself and the
zen.
My, but l was embarrassed. | sup
e that the bow l made was very
kward. When | went back to the
sic stand, the band men heightened
confusion. All through the next
played as an encore, Ri
to speak, heard small voices say -
wonder what the king gave
Il? &
Then the Prince of Wales came for ~
ID and asked that let him pin the X
ial on my coat. Did | do ilf Wei. WI
ouldn't refuse him. | don't believe $50
other American musician WAS eyer 81
cred SO highly. am sure that am
first to receive Il decoration