Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-14
MARINE BAND IN WEST
Permission for the Organiza-
ton to Give Concerts.
REQUESTED BY TWO CITIES
Members Granted Furlough From
September ~ to October 2.
HISTORY OF ORGANIZATION
Origin Dates Back to July IL, 17eS,
Under Act of Con-
HISTORY OF ORGANIZATION

Desiring To hear the band of the United
States Marine Corps. the citizens of
Mitchell. S. D.. recently petitioned the
Secretary of the Navy to allow the
organization to give concerts at a cele-
bration 10 be held in that city from Sep
TENDER 81 to October 2. The permission
was granted. Citizens of Plttsburg, Pa.
also asked that the band be allowed to
play at a celebration In that city from
October IL TO %, inclusive. and it has
been decided TO approve that request.
also.
In view of the fact that the Marine
Band is classed one of the best musical
organizations in the world. and that many
of the western residents of this country
have never had an opportunity 10 hear
it play. the citizens of Mitchell, knowing
there will be large attendance of west
erners il: that city during the coming
celebration. took the action stated. The
members of the band have been granted
furlough from September ~ to October
=. SO that they can take the western
trip. William II. Santelmann. the leader,
will be in charge.
The Marine Band came into existence
July II. 1s9S, when. by an act of Congress
approved by President John Adams for
: establishing and organizing a Marine
: Corps, provision was made for sixteen
filters. one 10 be appointed drum or fife
!; major by the commandment of the corps
. This drum and fife corps acted in the
/, capacity of a marine band. until Lieut..
Col. Archibald Henderson of the Marine
Corps brought TO this country from
Naples, Italy. thirteen Italian musicians,
who were enlisted as drummers and filters
at The marine barracks in this city for
genei al musical service. These Italian
musicians played band instruments, and
they formed what was really the nucleus
nf he.
Cpen-Air Concerts in 1854.
There Is no record of the band having
performed other than ordinary routine
military duty until 1SoI in which year
open-air concerts at The White House
and Capitol grounds were inauguIated
The band was then under the leadership
of Francis Scala. In lS.6 Congress voted
/, eNisa, compensation TO the members oil
the Band for those open-ar concerts
THESE concerts grew In public favor TO
sSUcl, extent that Col. John Harris
commandment of the Marine Corps, recon-
,nieutitst 10 Congress That the organization
, wltici up 10 that time had been officially
Known as fife and drum corps be
rated as band. that provision lie made
Tor a principal musician and thirty mem
bers.
Recognizing tine advisabiliiN of improv-
ing the organization which furnished
music at the official functions in the
d White House and at the national and
International affairs III general Congress
+ Dpruved the recommendation of Col Har-
us and July -, 1861, President Lincoln
! affixed his signature 10 act that
), marked the recognition by law of the
+ dfrst band i'll the United States military
= service
49, Erancis Scala, the first leader. retired
. ftosl the service December t.. 1871, and
! tna following day Henry Fries was ap-
poibt4d principal musician. serving iii
that capacity until his discharge. August
- 1873. Louis Schneider was then made
j IN tsciral musician, which position he held
q ilptuc October, 1850, when Philip SouSa
3 Sests appointed. He held the position until
. J,ill7 ~. 1S92. when he was discharged at
\ his own request that he might organize
a bard of his own. Francesca Fanciull
!, was appointed his successor November
1. 1892. and served until October 81, 1881
Present Leader.
William ii Saniemann Inc f.resert,
lcae.el. ~as Appointed March .. 1885 one
year later March 3. is9o az ;ici al con-
:srcs> WAS approved b. President Me
l>inies wh-gh improved sne status Of the
baud considerably. COT. Charlie, Hey
Wood. eomm.tndani 81 lie United s,at.s
Marine corps. recomui, aided that or az
count Of it, Importance in connection
nitli national and international affI RS as
:, representative band. his orf anization be
increased from thirty 10 sixty men. Ac-
coYdiE@Iy the band now Gems SITS OF n
leader. with the pay and allowances OF a
ms, lieutenant Of the Marine Corps: i,
sec nd leader, thirty first-c!ass must
cians. thirty second-class musicians. tel.
pi.iva;cs and a drum maior--a total of
ScNeuty-thfeP members
Til. members of the oand enlist for 4
torn OF four years and al. under mill
talN discipline. They are required To re-
port for day at $40 o'clock each mora
ing except Saturday and Sunday AT The
marine barracks for guard mounting and
parade. ~ Ia O'Clock there IS re-
hcarsai until u O'Clock
aSitatiou bet the lai,cr unions aud
Tn. members ii the band hccacSc Of ti.s.
fac that the ban! members were paid