Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-13
WORLDS FAIR MUSIC
Two Million Dollars Spent in
the Project.
SPLENDID FEATURES
LEADING MILITARY BANDS
PLAYING THIS MONTH.
How Lone American Induced
European Rulers to Allow
Their Pets to Come.

Written for The Evening Star by Guy l. NiskhiSAhi
ST. Louis has measured her arts as she
has her worlds fair ste, buildings and ex-
hibits-by the rule Of biggest-and so some
thing over S2,OOo,DO have been spent by the
exposition authorities in an endavor to sur
pass the musical features of all former eX-
positions. This month will prove whe;her
this attempt has been successful, Tor IL VIII
witness the Inauguration of the leading
features.
The contracts for mus;cil performances
alone aggregate 5000 900 Festival III ILL.,
erected as headquarters for recitals, ana
with seating caraclty of 800, cost
round million. The largest organ ever buii''
with 145 stops and 10000 pipes WHICH
stands in Festival Hail. represents an ex-
penditure of several tens of thousands VI
dollars The numerous bands STANDS ioi
open-air concerts, scattered throughout 'he
grounds on the Plaza Of st. Louis ana else-
where, consumed many a pretty penny ~
their construction; and the prizes offerea IN
musical contests of various descIi as
gregate half a hundred thousand dollars.
This use of millions of money mas seet taa
the exposition several striking muslcal 1ea-
lures not the least of which Is engage
ments with some Of the leading military
bands Of the world for daily concerts.
The Garde Republicaine, the mosI lai mus
Paris. September 5, for four weeks stay
as A mark of favor of the French govern.
ment. This will be the first time tnat II
will have played In f1 nita1 sppsaranee
IN America The Grenadier GUARDS Bano
of England, which will be IN charge VI q
titled officer of the GUARDS. comes Ausu gu,
% for six weeks stay, King Edwaro CIV
ing his permission after weeks OF negoia-
tion Won Blon's famous Berlin pano' Tn"
phiIhs rmonic completes the trio or lor-
eign bands, its engagement ,as'ihs 'No
eight weeks beginning OCTOBER D.
A Great Aggregation.
Won Blon's band was chosen aIter En-
neror William had refused PERMISSION 10
two of his crack military bands to play IN
America. and the most famous OF Russian
military bands-the Chevalier GUARDS
which the car had permitted to enter into
contract with the exposition authorizes.
had to withdraw at the last moment, owing
to the outbreak OF the war with japan
still. the three bands that will come over.
together with Americas leading kindred
ORGANIZATIONS. the two bands attacneo 10
the Philippine Scouts and the fniiip pine I,;
constabulary, and the Mexican Band Will
renresent the greatest aggregation OF mil
ftary bands ever assembled at any expo
sition and. as in case of the Garde Repub-
licaine. will include many never oeIofe
heard in this country.
No little diplomacy and time were re-
oured to secure consent OF the various
governments to the appearance OF their pet
organizations at the exposition. george w.
stewart of Boston, who Is manager OF the
fairs bureau Of music, had to travel over
the greater part of Europe and spend over
civ months in constant negotiations before
he could say to President FRANCIS that the
military band feature was assured
Mr. stewart who is well known In mu-
sfcal circles by reason of his former con-
nection with the Boston Symphony, and as
a manager and producer OF musical 1eSu-
vaIs left America last September on his
tourney. to convince the European govern
ments that they should let their best bands
play at the exposition.
Must Have It.
The night after Mr. Stewards arrival In
London the Grenadier Guards Band, which
was playing at the exposition in Earls
Court. was augmented. for some special
reason. from thirty to sixty-f1ve men. That
night Mr.. Stewart heard the band In con-
cert, and was 80 we'll pleased with 1t that
he at once determined to secure contract
with it. If such a thing were possible. After
a weeks negotiation he had Colonel RI
cordi Of the Grenadier Guards Regiment
enthusiastically interested in the plan. and
the latter's promise that he would do all
he could through the various channels to
secure the kings consent to the proposition.
Mr. Stewart was assured that this was alb
solutely imperative, and that 1t was also
necessary to gain the approval of the Duke
of Cambridge that the plan might be recon-
mended favorably to the king himself He
was given to understand that no little time
would be consumed in sending the matter
up to the duke. so. while his proposition
was travelling upward by devious route.
Mr.. Stewart went to Paris to see what
could be done about getting the Garoe Re-
publicaine Band
This band. while composed OF civilians
has quarters in the barracks In Boulevard
Henry w, and auditorium of its own.
where 1t gives its more formal concerts.
Here. by direction of the minister of war.
the Garde Republicaine assembled and.
with Mr.. Stewart as the sole guest, went
through a lengthy program. arranged
Jointly by its audience OF one and Its lead
Stewart in his purpose to secure a con-
tract with the band. which he had been
assured was impossible, and he actively
entered into negotiations with the French
government. which lasted for several
months, and were not definitely closed I'M
fair The French very coldly received the
proposition to entrust their eighty crack
musicians out of the country. Several
times it looked as II the negotiations would
come to naught. and only Mr.. Stewards
determination to have the band on his
list at all hazards saved the day.
Not Outdone by the French.
After paving the way in Paris. Mr. Stew
art went to Berlin. The director-in-chief
of the bands OF the German army. Profess
sor Rossbeck. had heard of the French gov
ernment's courtesy Of the special concert
for Mr. Stewart, and, not to be outdone
by the Gaul, he consolidated two of his
best bands, aggregating lightweight men
the Third Garde Regiment and the Third
Grenadier Garde Regiment-and had them
give a private concert In the geological