Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-02

military band OF this country, law was
passed which President Mckinley signed,
March 3, 1898, increasing the band to
seventy-three members, consisting of lead
er, with the pay and allowances of First
Lieutenant of the Marine Corps; a second
leader at seventy-fve dollars a month and
allowances; thirty first class musicians at
sixty dollars; thirty second class musicians
at fifty dollars; ten privates and a drum
major. The members are enlisted for four
years.
At present the band is short six or seven
of its authorized complement. This is due
to two reasons. The first is the attitude
taken by the American Federation of Musi-
clans toward all military bandsmen in bar
ring them from future membership in the
union. The second cause is the fear of legis-
lation forbidding the members from accept
ing outside engagements. Such law was
passed in 1908; but the Controller of the
Treasury held that it did not apply to the
Marine Band. A clause directly aimed at
the Marine Band was inserted in the Sundry
Civil Bill during the last session of Congress;
but it was stricken out in conference. The
menace of this congressional interference
hangs constantly over their heads, and, with
the knowledge that if they enter the band
they are forever blackballed from the union,
ing the band. AS Mr.. Santelmann will ac-
cept only the most competent players, it
follows that there are always few vacan-
cies in the organization. If the threatened
law should be enacted, the band would no
doubt speedily deter1orate; for 1T is idle to
expect that capable men could be obtained
for the meager Government pay. Most OF the
musicians now earn outside more in a week
than they draw from the payroll in a month.
About seventy per cent. of the band are
Americans. The men must be trained mu-
sicians before they are accepted. There is
no apprenticeship or probationary course.
Under Mr.. Santelmann's direction the
orchestra feature has been developed to a
high state of efficiency. The leader himself
is an expert violinist, and he requires a
knowledge of some orchestral instrument of
every applicant accepted, unless he be a SOLO
list. A spacious hall was erected at the Wash
ington Marine Barracks a couple of years
ago. where orchestra concerts are often held.
The band is fortunate in possessing several
noted soloists. Jacques L. Vanpoucke, the
solo clarinetist; Robert E. Seel, solo flutist;
Fritz A. Mueller, solo cellist; and Arthur
S. Whitcomb solo cornetist, are all acknowl
edged to be among the leaders in this coun-
try on their respective instruments.
The members of the Marine Band are re-
quired to perform certain military drills.
They are subject to military discipline, and
during the Civil War, as well as in the Span
ish War, they performed guard duty. Re-
hearsal periods are held two hours in the
forenoon five days week.
The second leader is Walter F. Smith, a
resident of Michigan, where he was at one
time leader of the famous Constantine Band.
He first enlisted in the Marine Band in 1885
as solo cornetist He withdrew with Sousa
and travelled in his band for four years. He
returned to the Marine Band in May, 1898,
as solo cornetist and second leader