Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-08-07
JUDGE DOLE FELICITATES BERGER
ON OBSERVANCE OF ANNIVERSARY

=. The following address was deliver
ed by Hon. Sanford B. Dole at the
exercises in the Palace grounds Sun
day afternoon In observance Of the
10th anniversary OF the birth Ct IA
pellmeister Henri Berger, and the 42d
anniversary of the day when he as
sumed the leadership Of the Hawaiian
Band: 49,: ...
Music is called the universal Ian.
guage, and this is because it appeals
10 the feelings OF mankind; IT reach
es the soul--not in words, which are
inadequate TO convey its meaning, but
through those dep impressions which
arouse the emotions to action or calm
the storms of the spirit.
AS the official minister Of music,
Captain Berger has for more than
generation served the Hawaiian pub
lie. He has been its teacher or mel
ody; and while conceding something
to the popular appetite for bizarre
and popular airs, has constantly, so
far as permitted the demands of pub
lie taste, given bis audiences from
time to time the masterpieces of
GldSSiCdi tblAlpJSilliBl. IIC mus mas
trained and elevated the public in its
estimation and appreciation OF music.
With the pressing duties OF ar
ranging musical scores, in drilling the
band and in conducting concerts and
other numerous functions for which
the Hawaiian Band is constantly call
ed upon. Captain Berger has still
found time for the composition of orr
ginal musical pieces, which have ad,
ded valuable material TO the roper
toire of the Hawaiian Band. Early in
his Hawaiian service he gave to Ha-
waii that superb composition, which
became our national air to the end
of our independence-Ha Hawaii Ponoi-I
and which was played as such for
the last time on that sad day when
the flag of Hawaii fluttered to the
ground, never to be raised again as
the emblem of national sovereignty
"A sketch of his public service can.
not avoid being the history of the Ha
waiian Band
Coming here as an officer of the
German army-loaned to the Hawai-
ian government by the German gov
eminent. Mr.. Berger took the Ha-
waiian Band and through his skill and
diligence and magnetism gradually
brought it into that state of discip
line and training which has made ii
the useful institution 1t has been for
many years. Since his assumption of
this responsibility he has played out
three reigne of the Hawaiian mon
archy. the provisional government,
and the Republic of Hawaii and has
played In the authority of the United
States. Some of the political changes
which were a part of our recent his !
tory have severely shaken the Hawai-
ian Band. but 1t has never overthrow
or ceased its pacifying and inspiriting
influences. Through revolutions, and
uprisings. in times Of foreign menace
and in local political crises, Berger
has calmly dealt out the pacifying
harmonies of his cult-and around the
bandstand the waves of civil agitation
have spent their force there was
peace and harmony. Who shall meal
sure the influence of the Hawaiian
Band in calming the stormy passions
of those years, and in making way for
the favorable settlement of the diff
cult problems OF the time?
Under the monarchy the band was
a luxury mainly ci royalty. It gave
from the first concert at Emma
Square every Monday evening, which |
has been continued to the present
time. In later years a moonlight con.
cert was given at Thomas Square,
and sometimes at other places. 9th
erwise its performances were mainly
for royal observation-disclosures, recep-i