The Washington times., 1925-05-11
u. s. ARMY BAND
HOME, WEARING
LAURELS
Capt. Stannard Starts a Pan
American Band Library to
Top Tour Triumphs

Thank God for the Army Band"
It was John Philip Sousa who
made that exclamation during the
first tour Of the U. S. Army Band,
William ]. Stannard, leader, When
the dean Of Uncle Sans former
band leaders took up the baton ana
led three united bands at the New
York Hippodrome, during the Gen
eral Pershing celebration by the
American Legion recently.
The u. S. Army Band Is home!
That means Wash1ngton-tne WASH
ington Barracks.
Captain r. G. Sherman. command
ing officer: Captain William j. Stan
nard, leader, and Willis >. Ross'
drum major, have brought honor to
the youngest military band OF ma
jor importance in the service. Tney
stand as the standard bearers OF
the ninety musicians who received
unanimous praise Of the press OF
T The New York Tribune made
special mention of the preci-
sion. volume, balance and 1ntona'
ton of what may be classed as a
musical organization OF the very
highest rank"
Following a classic concert at
the National Vaudeville Artists
Club for General Pershing and
many invited guests, including sew
eral governors and other high Of
ficials, they opened the American
Legion performance at the HIPPO
drome with Memories Of the
World War" which were war
selections arranged by Captain
Stannard and which brought the
huge audience to it's feet. 1t was
the hit of the entire performance.
Twenty five thousand people
heard the band under Captain STAN
nard at Central Park on Sunday,
and 1t is said they won a greater
l amount of applause than any band
that has ever played there Other
concerts, among them one at the
Hotel Astor to an audience Of music
critics of greater New York, which
was also broadcast, made up q
busy schedule.
Now comes news of an important
growth of this musical "junior." :"
Major General Summeral paid a
high tribute to the band in a
island. A member of the Musical
Arts Institute ranked the U. 5.
Army Band with the "Garde de
Ia Republique" band of France and
the National Band of Mexico. the
Banda Mayor of Mexico City"
Captain Stannard, on May 6, sent
a letter to the band leader of the
Banda Mayo( Of Mexico City, TAX
ing the first steps toward an in
terchange'' with all the Pan-Arneri-
can countries of band scores.
The idea Is for "a mutual ex-
change of music not in print for
bands. between the leading bands
of each of the countries Of the Pan
American Union.
This pioneer step Of Captain
Stannard is the direct outcome OF
the work of the u. s. Army Band,
in cooperation with Franklin
Adams, counselor ofo the Pan-Amer-
lean Union. in bringing the Pan
American music into prominence
before the people of the United
States, by the series of delightful
concerts given in the beautiful
Pan-American Union Building. here
in Washington, and by also broad
casting these concerts.
"The arrangements which / have
to offer you for exchange are not
in print for military bands any
where in the world" writes Captain
Stannard.
Inc bdHua mayor Oh MSAACo ateo
has many band arrangements OF its
own that are exclusively their prop
erty. This condition exists doubt
less in all Of the countries.
So, at a glance. this innovation
may be seen to be the foundation OF
the most important Pan-American
band library in existence.
Already the library Of scores OF
the United States Army Band is be-
ling rapidly expanded. though addi-
tional funds for the complete ar
rangements of scores are required
for adequate progress.
When Pan-America unites in the
arts, the riches to be exchanged
with Europe will be a great factor
in the developing Of international
beauty and high thought.