The Washington herald., 1908-04-19

way opened. The attraction was booked
as the Blue Hussars' Band from Leipzig
Germany Prof Fred Wagner, leader.
At the close Of the Ridgway season
| Santelmann led the strings in q three
days engagement during The Cannstat-
/ ter VOlkfest Verein. at Reading, Pa on
this occasion they performed IN band
during the day and orchestra at night.
1t was a great feature 10 have this eel
ebrated military organization give the
great assemblage of Germans a memory
of the music of the Fatherland. At the
end of the Reading performance the band
returned and Santelmann with it. appar-
entity his g0Od-by forever 70 America.
The success, however. at Ridgway won
for the Hussars a second date for the
season of 1857. And here a destiny
marking incident occurred. one of the
most interested patrons of the concerts
was Henry Distin, an instrument maker,
then of Philadelphia, and now OF VIII
Transport. In his study Of the tone and
effects of the German instruments his a.
tentiOn was particularly attracted TO the
ease and grace of bowling of a young
man of powerful frame and a pleasing
countenance. AS the season was about
TO close this true pitched observer ac-
costed the violinist do you speak
English?n "Nein, Mein Herr" Finding
some one at hand who did. Distin lacOni-
cally observed, You would be a good
man for Sousa." At the same time the
Thalia Theater, of New York expected
q troupe of German actors of celebrity
and desired an orchestra In keeping with
the high standard of the stage An Of
fer was made for six picked musicians
from the Hussars, and of this number
Santelmann was one. and of he started
for New York. While awaiting the ar
rival Of the troupe SanteImann received
a letter from his admiring Distin in
closing one from SOusa, saying, IF he
is a hrst-elass musician and a tall man,
tell him to come on" As there was still
delay, Santelmann seized the opportunity
Of visit TO Washington and dropped in
as SOusa had just returned from a duck
shooting trip, with plenty Of game in
his bag and Potomac mud on his cloth
ing. Without ceremony, having seated
himself at the piano for accompaniment,
Sousa laid out de Beriots Ninth Vio-
lin Concerto and "Cavitina," by Raff, fer
a trial. AS the performance proceeded
Sousa, deeply absorbed in the beautiful
tones and execution of his applicant, oft
en- forgot his accompaniment AS the
musician whose place he was 10 fiji mean
while returned, the vacancy anticipated
did not materialize Determined, never
theless. to cast his fortunes with the
band, on September a. 1887 his twenty
fourth birthday, Santelmann enlisted for
five years as private (third-cIass musi-
cian) with the understanding he should
have the first place offered His skill,
however, in orchestra soon found him
plenty of outside engagements in opera
and other higher musical enterprises
SOusa left the band in August. 1892;
Fanciulli succeeded in November. 1892.
and was dramatically suspended in the
midst of the inaugural procession in
honor OF William Mckinley, March l.
1897. He was succeeded by Santelmann
March 3. 1888. after great competition by
some of the best bandmasters il. the
United States.
During tie Fanclulli period. owing to
the irascible temper of that meodic per-
son, Santelmann was granted a special
discharge in 1885. and Immediately accept
ed employment at the Lafayette Theater
as second violin. and at the same time
organized an orchestra of his own. To
the credit of his urbanity and skill, be it
said that the Bachelors German Club,
one of the most exclusive social terpsi-
ehorean entertainers of the Washington
season, at once engaged him TO the ex-
eiusion of their favorite United States
Marine Band
While ne was preparing for the Bach !
elors' bali he was unable to secure a |
waltz which satisfied the critical taste Of
himself or the musical committee. Time
passed and still no waltz could be found. |