The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-08-29

military bands Of the world and during
the twelve years he remained the presi-
dents bandmastcr he won recognition as
composer and conductor. His entry pto
the wider fields OF general concert work
was brought about in this manner.
David BIakely, one time editor and Sec
rotary OF state of Minnesota. became In
1884 the active manager OF the Gilmore
band He was a man OF cultivated musi-
cal tastes and fine literary capacity AMI
had earned managerial experience In the
direction OF several tours OF the Theodore
Thomas orchestra. After six prosperous
years. In which the Gilmore band attained
the zenith OF Its popularity. Gilmore and
Blakely dissolved their business relations
and the latter. having been attracted by
the rising star of John Philip Sousa. sue
ceedet In obtaining the permission OF the
government 10 take the United States Ma
rine band and Its brilliant conductor upon
two concert tours. which practically COW
cred the entire United States. Sousa
proved a sensation with his magnetic per-
ronality. forceful conducting and the fiery
swing and swerve OF his marches. and II
| was a foregone conclusion that he must
| be brought permanently into a conspicu-
| Gus public position. A proposition from n
| syndicate. headed by David Blakely. ir-
volving the organization OF new band to
bear the name OF Sousa. decided the
| young American conductor and I'm Au-
gust. 1892. his resignation ms bandmaster
| OF the United States marine corps was
reluctantly accepted by the government.
Sousa at once began the task Of select
Ing his new band. The best musicians
from every city were summoned 10 his
standard and the new organization speed
II ly began TO take form. Some weeks were
spent In incessant rehearsals. In which
the band acquired those peculiar Sou
saesaue characteristics that have always
distinguished Il from all other bands.
The first concert OF the new band was
given at Plainfeld. n. j.. on Sept. rs. 1892.
and two days before that time Gilmore
died suddenly at St. Louis. IL Is an In
teresting fact 10 note that the first num-
Der ever PLAYED In public by the Sousa
band was Gilmores own hymn. Deaths
at tho Door" in momery or the dead
bandmaster.
The story OF the Sousa band since that
' date is already musical history. No other
: organization in the world can boast OF a
, | record OF accomplishments so imposing
and OF a success 50 enormous and so en-
1 during. During the ten years OF Its ex
istence the Sousa band will have giver
, 5oo0 concerts in 1913 weeks. playing II
7 more than COO different cities In the unites
I States. Canada. England Scotland
> France. Germany. Belgium and Holland
I necessitating travel equal TO twelve time
the circumference OF the earth. Sous
Z has made his name and his music famou
In every quarter OF the globe. and he ha
advanced mis- particular form OF musics
art to the highest state OF development
, has ever known. Sousa has always er
couraged the American musician. TIL
| nursery OF the great concert bands {
America Is the village band composed I
lusty-lunged country boys with NOR
, vigor than technique. more ambition tina
/. | tev,pera mept The American youth
. naturally musical. and to his viriIe ms
ture the brass band appeals with singula
potency. There are about thirty thousan
!: brass bands In the United States. an
!, they are developing new school OF per
!. formers that bids fair to dominate tn
!. Military music OF the country. for IN
: American boy In being attracted to IN
!. less conspicuous but equally important ir
!. struments Of the band that have until r.
!, Gently been played solely by foreigner
= and by reason Of his intelligence. energ
a and ambition he speedily outstrips n
~ competitors.
N And now fer ten years has Sous
IL preached the gospel Of melody through
out the length and breadth OF the lam
Il Twenty seYni-annual concert tours had !
a made. Ave Of which took his band I'M
A. every state and territory In the unio
IA until there II hardly town OF moi
T. than 10000 Inhabitants where Sousa III
n not been n visitor. No other musical o
ic nanixation In the world has gwen plea
"a ure to 90 many music-lovers at home al
a abroad, and no other conductor has
IN large and enthusiastic q following.
ID 1876 death deprived the organlxA tion
n the valued services Of Ito manage
he David Blakely. and the busines6 dire
he ton Of the band In now vested In Fra
he Christianer. who has been associated wi