The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-02-20
By HENRY VANCE


 Lieut.. Com. John Philip sousa's baton average is about 1000 feet above par. That's the only con clusion one can reach after listen ing in on the several hundred tonA of harmony as dispensed by his in- comparable band. It's the incom-. parablest musical organization in America, with accent on the latter his delft touch? Ain't it, I ask you? You sit down and marvel at the music, you watch the conductors motions, and you get the idea that continual stream of lifting melody is coming out of his finger tips.
 Well. I'm late at the show, and as a result 1 have to do just like the band is playing Q "The Star Spangled Banner" all the way through--stand up. Yep, it's that crowded. Matinee crowd and they're packed in the Jeff like an amalagum filing Everybody wanting to get peep at the monarch of the march. Handelapping, impatience craning of necks and then the curtain goes up. Gee, l envy that curtain -puller on show like this. Up at the start Of the concert. down at the wind-up, and that's all he's gotta do.
 TrainIoad of Harmony
 Up shoots the old asbestos, a blare os trumpet, a trainload of harmony. and the programs on. And. say. look at those instruments. More pieces in that band than a picture puzzle. Everything in the deck in the way or noise-makers from those hce-pre- server model tubas down to little teenie- weenie instrumentethat looks like a salad fork.
 And there's John Philip sousa standing in the middle of the stage on a little platform done in cerise. Got has back to the audience. but he has to do it so he can face his musicians. Up and down goes the baton. with the effect of n fairy wand, out and out pours the har- mony, and you sit and wonder and arplaud. and probably build dreams about where you would have got with your zither lessons if you'd kept 'em up.
 Along Vain Street
 Lieutenant Commander Sousa mas a bald spot in the back of his head that would pass for halo any day in the week. The numbers over deafeninE applause. Look at that bowl He's had more encores in ms career than Carter had ink. But they never get monotonous. III bet. Any bcdy likes applause. And, while l still contend that women are more gusceptible 10 flattery, one told me the other day that the houses all along Vain street were made up sole lv of bachelor quarters. She's gotta nerve, atnt itY
 Well. wouldn't have missed this tyeat for worlds. And who are the fellows occupying the boxes? They're wearing uniforms. Oh, yes, some one was telling me that the Civitan club had brought every member or the Boys Industrial School band down to hear the concert. Great stuli' that. The Industrial School Dand N known as "Birmingham's own Ano they're getting an earful from the band of the great composer. Two Exits for Music
 Say. I'd hate to buy instruments for that bunch on the stage. Bet 1t costs pretty penny.s Lissen to that bas- soon horn in on the number. Plckled piccolos. trombones that slide all over inc place. Wonder what they grease 'em with? Euphonias. Don't know whether that's the way to speii IL or not? But anyhow that's one horn that was born twins-two exits Tor inc music. Saxophonesl Ought to be pipe to play those instruments. They look like 'em. And. there's harp! I'd like to get close to that and examine 1t. Might have to play one some day. What's that! Fat 1 chance you say? Oh, well, don't | know. Newspaper man deadheads Into every other place. Might get to heaven the same way. Cant ever | tell. L
 Cornet solo by MT. John Dolan: iWonder If he's any Kin to Cozy lin. "The volunteer" and then .I,oye's old Sweet Song," for an en- core. Believe me, he can sure Polly yoo that cornet!
 | Ex-soIdiers Salute
 | And now Mir. Sousa's coming back |