Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-03-31

usuai event TO provide an oppor-
tunity.
When Captain William II. Santel-
n!tnh became leader of the band
twenty-five years ago. he organized
an orchestra. 1t was decided that
thereafter no musician was to be
enlisted in the band unless he could
play an orchestral instrument as
well as band instrument. Only
solofsts were exempted from this
/ ruling. Musicians already in the
pard began industriously % study
stringed Instruments.
Broadcasted Wednesday Evenings
For four years Captain Santel
mann worked with his budding or
chestra before he announced that
1t was ready to be heard by the
President. Now, weekly concerts
bg the orchestra at the Marine
Barracks are a regular institution.
This barracks are in a far corner of
the city, yet a Marine band pro-
gram always packs the concert
room TO capacity. Radio fans may
be interested TO know that the We'd
nesday evening concerts are being
broadcasted at eight o'clock over
A-A from Radio, Va.
The band has a remarkable his
toric record back of it, and yet that
alone would not account for it's
reputation for superior skill. No
other band practices so intensively
and increasingly. The musicians
are required by law to meet for a
two-hour rehearsal five mornings a
week and in addition to this thew
assemble twice a week for concerts.
me band is definite unit which
never changes. and it's men serve
an average of eighteen years, con.
d'tlons which make for efficient en-
semble playing.
The government gives the leader
nun symphony orchestra of rs men.
all acquainted with the theory as
wen as the practical side of music.
II gives the musicians the best in
struments that can be bought and
orders them to practice regularly
And as result it expects q. high
standard Of musicianship.
1t is rather typical Of Uncle Sam
to demand high caliber men and "a
offer them considerably less nav
than they could earn in outside
neIds. Except for the leader and
second leader the musicians draw
from $40 to Sl25 a month according
TO their ratings, and the usual al
toWances of commissioned Of
tlcers in the Marine Corps. G4t
there IS always a waiting list of
competent men from which vacan-
cles are filled. The band offers
prestige and retirement provisions.
ana more than these, the musical
atmosphere of life in the Marine
pand and the high quality OF its
work appeal to the serious must
hn yals
slderation that musicians are per
mitted to accept outside engage
ments not interfering with their
military duties.
The Marine band is always first
OF all at disposal OF the Preside ent
ct the United States. 1t NAV also
be used by the Secretary OF the
Navy and by the Connandant Of
the Marine Corps. When one of
tnese individuals attends a, function
the affair becomes official or semi
oncial and the Marine band NAV be
CaiIed INTO service. 1t appears at
tne white House receptions and
garden parties and often at dinners
and exercises attended by the Presi9
dent or the Secretary OF the Navy.
Since 1911 the President has been
sharing his band with the peopje
IN other parts Of the country. The
story is that one summer afternonn
When congress was in session a
group of senators stood listening to
the Marine band playing in front
OF the Capitol. The late Senator
Bob Taylor of Tennessee, remarked
tnat he wanted the people of his
state to hear that band, and he
persuaded several other senators 10
go with him to President Taft abont
It, Mr.. Taft responded to the rsr
guest and the band made a southern
tour. !"
Since then it has visited eterv
state in the union except Florida
Montana and Nevada. 1t goes "a
more small towns than any other biy
organization of the sort. In the past
two years New England states have
peen visited. Next fall. the tour Is
20 De TO the central western states.