The Washington times., 1920-03-21
SANTELMANNL LEADS
bland FOR z YEARS
Conductor OF presidents
Own" Has Been With Organ
ization Thirty Years.

This day. March 81. William II.
Santelmann concludes thirty years of
service with the United States Marine
Bands For twenty-five years he has
been it's leader. The band has made
many concert tours under his direc-
ton, travelling nearly one hundred
thousand miles. and has played in
every State in the Union but two.
The United States Marine Band is
national institution. Its place in the
nations events has been forcefully
put forth in the following words that
fairly create the environment In
which the band has lived and moved
and had its being:
The great drama in real life that
has a continuous performance in the
National Capital of America, is played
by a cast made up OF famous states
men ranking officers of the army,
navy, and Marine Corps. distinguish
ed jurists, men of letters, and diplo-
rnGtic representatives from every
country of the world. The critics who
review the play are the brainlest
newspaper representatives gathered
by the press of the world, and the
music that is furnished as an accom-
paniment to some Of the most pictur-
csuue episodes Of the real life story,
Western world. This celebrated must
cal organization is the United states
Marine Band, the pride of the Amer
lean Government. 1t is also called
The Presidents own because IL
furnishes music for all official and
social functions at the White Hons" -
at public affairs, national or inter
national, wherever the President at
tends"
Mr. Santclmann enlisted in INC
United States Marine Band September
"a. 1887, as violiniSt and ciarineti>l'
when that organization was under the
leadership of John Philip Sousa. Re
tween that time and tho date OF his
commitment to director of the Marine
Band, he also played and directed IN
thcatcr orChestras of this city, unit!
March 8, 1898 when he received tn"
honor from Col. Charles Haywood,
commandment of the United states
Marine Corps. of being placed at the
acad of this famous national band.
Automatically. Mr.. Santclmann could
retire today. His devotion to the
band to its public service, and TO
the personal interest of the players.
will keep him as leader OF the band
and as conductor of the orchestra that
$ formed from the same group OF
symphony concerts given at the
Marine Barracks every Monday after
aeon.
During Mr.. Santelmanns admin
;stration the band has been increased
several times, and now consists OF
first and second leader. drum major
and seventy-five musicians, and is nut
Is equipped as military band and
as a symphony orchestra.
The enthusiasm of his men for tn"
many benefits enjoyed under the
leadership of Mr.. Santelmann, ms
JrfailinC efforts 10 give them every
possible opportunity for adVancemen''
and his zeal in the service Of the
United states Marine Band for the
interests of tho people Of the city, re
GIVE unqualified expressions of praise
| and appreciation.
When speaking Of the work Of the
band Mr.. Santcimann grew enthusi-
| astic. saying that very few people
| realize the sincere, individual and col
| lective efforts of the mon TO further
the interests of the organization. and
| that 1t is delight to watch their
| wonderful work.
| 1t is his hope that the lonE-talked
| of auditorium may soon be realized
| and that Washington business men,
| many Of whom were born here, ana
Save built up a splendid business and
| accumulated wealth. will take hold OF
| the matter and build for the city "A
| home for musical attractions that viii
| be a credit TO it's enterprise. II sucl
| n place were available, musical at
fractions visiting the Nations Capt.
tai would he better accommodated
| and their number augmented APP
probably.
| Under such conditions the splendid
| work OF the band would be better
| understood and Washingtonians
| would appreciate more thoroughly
| the real artistic excellence of the or
| ganizatlon.