Evening star., 1924-01-27
MARINES TO MARK
BAND ANNIVERSARY
Twenty-Fifth Year Since Reor-
ganization to Be Celebrated
March 4.
CENTRAL HIGH PROGRAM
1llustrious History Of Music Body
Dates From 1775,
HIGH PROGRAM

The Marine Corps will celebrate the
twenty-tifth anniversary Of the re-
organization OF the Marine Band with
ceremonies In the Central High
School auditorium on the evening OF
March 4.
Members Of the cabinet, govern
nent officials, high ranking officers
OF the Army, Navy and Marine Corps.
as well as leaders in the social ana
business life of the nations capital,
Will be invited to occupy boxes
i An elaborate program of symphony
music will be rendered by the sym
phony orchestra Of the band, as well
as military music by the full band
in its role as the nations foremost
military band. The band and the
orchestra will appear under direction
Of William II. SanteImann, its leader
!, and numerous soIoiSts on a variet!
4 Of instruments are on the program
History Before Nations.
| In connection with the forthcom-
ing celebration the Marine Corps
points out that the history of the
Marine Band dates back to the days
before the birth OF the United States
as a nation.
Its existence in the official rec
ords begins with the birth of the
Marine Corps on November 10, 1775,"
1t is stated. Few records exist az
to It's early annals. but it is probable
that IT came into being as a drum and
f1fe corps.
TT appears in the official records in
this manner in 1915, when the Ma
lrfne Band leader. named Ashworth
twas the author of a new Official pub
,lication on the technique OF the drum
land the. fife. which was adopted for
instruction by the Army, Navy, Ma
rine Corps and militia.
Its evolution as musical organ
Iization proceeded apace and there is
of a number of Italian musicians
from port near Naples for the pur-
pose. of supplying its ranks with a
number of men trained in playing
certain instruments which were de
sired. This episode occurred in 1906
and diplomatic correspondence en-
isued. but when the restoration Of the
abducted Italians was ordered most
OF them were SO well satisfied with
their duties that they declined to go
back to Italy; The quality of the
band improved steadily and before
the ciyil war 1t appears in history.
band of the American government In
Washington and referred to by its
present title of The Presidents
own
/, Music for President
\ "Since that time II has furnished
music for succession of Presidents
and for official functions without
number. 1t has been commented
upon favorably by Presidents and by
officials without number and has in
lcluded among its leaders many
famous musicians. including John
Philip Sousa, who first won fame and
iwhile leader of the Marine Band
| THE reorganization in celebration OF
| which the present ceremonies are to be
| held, occurred on March 8, 1898, when
! Mr.. Santelmann was made leader OF
the band, in which post he has remained
4 until the present day. At that time the
Encouragement of the musicians and
their duties was made and changes were
instituted In their duties and rates of
pay, placing them upon their present
footing.
"Since its reorganization the band
has played at a number Of national eel
II ebrations besides its regular Official
duties, including the trans Mississippi
\ exhibition at Omaha, Neb., in 1898; the
Worlds Columbian Exposition at Buffalo
\ position at St Louis in 1904, and has
i the states of the Union, covering more
II than 100,0 900 miles in its abroad travel.
Il In recognition Of his services and
| ability, Mr.. Santelmann was made doc
tor Of music by George Washington
| University in 1908, and has received
number Of other honors and dsitinc-
| tons"