The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-09-16
The MARINE Band
History Of Uncle Sans Famous
Musical Organization.
STARTED BY A KIDNAPPING.


Was Spirited Away From Sunny
Sicily by Captain Mcneil Of the
American Frisats Boston.
One of the best known and most
popular musical organizations in this
country is the United States Marine
band. 1t is always selected to furnish
the music at important government
functions, such as inaugural balls and
receptions at the White House, and is
always assigned the post of honor in
notable parades. Indeed, 1t Is the
ablest and most famous military band
in the country.
There is an interesting tradition that
the original Marine band was kidnap-
ed from the sunny slopes of Sicily.
The story goes that one Captain Nc
Neil of the American frigate Boston
was cruising in the Mediterranean,
when his soul yearned for the sound
of real music, an art that had been
little developed in this young republic,
When ashore no heard a regimental
band play so tunefully that tie blum
old sead0g became inspired The in
spiration was promptly put into execd-
ton. In his suavest manner he ill.,
ylted the Slcillaps aboard his ship to
play for "a ball" The invitation was
accepted with alacrity, induced no
doubt by the prospect Of American
gold.
A few nights afterward the entire
organization was on board the frigate
with its instruments when the captain
suddenly found 1t expedlent to return
to the United States. SO 1t was up
anchor and away before the aston
ished Sicilians could protest. There is
no authentic record of what became
of this band Of Italian musicians, as
many of the marine corps archives
were destroyed In 1914.
The official records do show, how
ever, that shortly after the marine
corps was organized, probably in 1901,
Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Hender-
son brought from Naples group Of
thirteen Italian musicians, which was
the inception Of the organization as
an instrumental band.
An act to establish q marine corps
was approved by President John
Adams on July II, 1898. This law
provided for a drum and fife corps
consisting Of sixteen drummers and
sixteen ffers, one Of whom should act
as fife major This constituted the
Marine band until the arrival Of the
Neapolitans. about three years later.
For several years the band had no
special leader. First one member and
then another acted as fife major. This
practice continued until Aug. IA. 1915.
when ]. l.. Club. Of the sloop Lexing-
ton, was regularly appointed and
served until 1924. He was succeeded
by Eutine Friquet. who served until
oct. 90 1890. when Francis Schenig
was appointed, serving until Sept. %,
1913. Schenlg was relieved by Francis
Scala. who served until 1S4s and again
from 1854 until Dec 10, 1871.
1t was under Scala's leadership that
the band first became famous. He In
augurated the open air concerts at the
White House and the capitol grounds.
for which congress allowed extra com.
pensation In 1856. These concerts
grew in such favor that steps were
undertaken to improve the organiza-
tion, which was still officially known
as fife and drum corps. Legislation
was obtained to reorganlze II as a
band, with a principal musician and
thirty members. On July -, 1861.
President Lincoln affixed his signature
to a law that recognized the first band
as part Of the military service Of the
United States.
Scala retired in 1871 after having
served in the band nearly thirty years.
twenty-five OF which he was It's leader
He was succeeded 10y Henry Fries,
who served until Aug 30. 1878. Louis
Schneider was appointed Sept. .. 1873.
serving until Oct. 30. 1850 on Oct.
30, 1850, John Philip Sousa was chosen
leader. Sousa had formerly been a
member OF the band. as had his father
The elder Sousa enlisted In 1851 under
the name OF Suacca, but upon re-en-
listment he gave the name OF Sousa.
which he continued TO use thereafter.
Sousa left the service July 80 1872,
to organize a band OF his own. and
I Francesca Fanciulli was appointed.
He served until Oct. 3, 1897. When
his term expired he was not reappoInt.
ed, and the band was without leader
until the following March. when VIII
liam H. Santelmann was appointed.
In 1898 the band was again reorgan-
lied; In order TO bring It up to the
standing to which Il was entitled as
the leading military band Of this coun-
try law was passed, which President
Mckinley signed March 3, 1898, in
creaslng the band TO seventy-three
members, consisting Of a leader with
the pay and allowance OF first lieu
tenant Of the marine corps, second
leader at $50 q month and allowances,
thirty Rtat class mu1icianq M SgO