Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-02-03
CONSTABlLARY
BANDDUE HERE
in .MANCHURIA
Largest Military Band in the
World and One of the
Best


The Philippine Constabulary band,
which reaches Honolulu in the Man
churia, February 8. is making its third
long trip to the United States.
The first time this famous musical
corps visited the states was in 1904,
when il accompanied battalion OF
constabulary to the Missouri Purchase
Exposition held at St Louis, remain.
ing almost a year
The second trip was made in 1909,
at the time of President Taft's inau.
guration, the band being ordered to
Washington for the purpose of leading
the inaugural parade. At this time,
the band also played the two inaugural
concerts, the first time this honor has
ever been shared with the well known
Marine band. ~ -.
The trip In 1904 was in the nature
of an educational tour of the United
States many Americans then believing
that half-naked Igorotes which have
been exhibited at fairs and seaside re-
sorts were representatives of the g.
000, 900 Of one of the most interesting
and most misunderstood people OF the
world. Only those who have visited
the Philippine islands can appreciate
the remarkable Transformation brought
about by American incentive and d.
rection and Filipino willingness and CO.
operation. Incidental to the trip made
In 1909, the band played at the open
ing of the famous esplanade at Wash
ington and later made general tour
of the states, finally participating for
hslf a month at the Lewis & Clark Elk.
position at Seattle. On the present
tour, the band win remain at San
Francisco on duty at the Panama Pa.
cifie exposition from the date OF open
ing, February ~, until the. exposition
is closed.
This constabulary band was organ.
ized on October Is, 1902, by order OF
Governor Taft. Capt. Walter H. Low
ing, the present conductor. gathered
80 of the most skilful Filipino bands.
men who had been in the Spanish
army in the islands as nucleus for
HIS organization. The strength has
been increased from time to time I'M
til at present it numbers 80 men, be.
ing as far as known, the largest mill.
tary band In existence. The wonder.
full success OF the band can be at.
tributed to two reasons. The Filipf-
nos natural bent for music and the
wonderful leadership Of Captain Low
ing. 1t was this combination which
enabled the band to meet in success
full competition at St Louis in 1904,
the famous English Grenadier band,
lie Guarde Republican band Of France.
the Mexican National band and Sou
sa's band. That peer OF band Headers,
Sousa, said upon hearing the Con-
stabulary band interpret his Imperial
Edward: These Fflipinos play my
music better than any other band
know of. That was ten years ago
and in the interval, improved by ex.
perience and confidence OF the past
ten years, it is only fair to presume
that new laurels are awaiting the
band In the United States.
AS an indication OF the steadfast.
ness OF the members OF this organiza.
ton, It is interesting to note that 50
of them have served more than eight
years WIFI IL. 3ss5
The Instrumentation of the band Is
complete in every particular. In it
are: flutes and piccoles, 2 oboes, 1
English horn, 2 E-flat cIarinets, Is b
flat clarfnets, alto clarinets, 2 bass
clarinets, bassoons, sarrusaphones,
4 saxophones, s French horns, from.
bones, s basses, 'euphoniums, cor
nets, 2 fluegel horns. 4 trumpets, 2
contra basses, 2 snare drum, bass
drum. tympanf
Every member excels on chosen
instrument, yet their orchestration is
probably the cleanest and most uni
formly perfect of any large band.
An admirable feature of the band
IS that the entire organization will lay
aside the band instruments and at a
moments notice play as symphony
orchestra the most difficult music from
any of great masters from Palestrina
to Puccini. The Instrumentation OF
the orchestra is composed Of Is first
yiolins, IA second yiolins, 10 violas, 5
cellos, s contra bases, flutes,
oboes, English horn, horns, 8 bas-
soons, clarinets, bass clarinets.
trumpets, trombones, bass from.
bone, / bass tuba. percussion.
lssS ~