Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-11
Capital Sidelights

;Ny the iOyef1lfnenL 10 Hend Nuen
musical 0rga ntzations, that are secOnd
To none In the world on tours Of the
United States, thus giving all Of the
people an opportunity to receive the
great inspiration that comes from
| listening to these concerts. which
they can now hear only by radio.
Representative Woodruff recalls in.
terestingly the history of the Army
Band, and pays tribute to ITS leader
ship.
"A result Of close observation of
the European military bands during
the World War, Gen. Pershing real
lied the need of a representative band
in our own Army, capable Of holding
| its own with the best bands to be
found in any country In the world.
Accordingly, upon becoming Chief Of
EtaH of the Army of the United States
Gen. Pershing gave orders for the
formation Of such q band. Ninety
musicians were therefore selected
from the different service bands OF
| the Army and were gathered In
Washington. In the Spring OF 1922
these musicians were organized into
| the Army Band at Fort Hunt. Va.
/ First. Lieut.. r. w. Lewis was selected
las commanding officer and remained
with the band until 1924, when Capt.
X. q. Sherman assumed command.
For drum major Gen. Pershing Sc
Iected Sergt. Willis 8. Ross. who had
been drum major Of the General
| Headquarters Band otherwise known
as Pershing's Band in France. He
| is one of the most efficient drum
majors I'm the United States Army.
In September, 1922, the Army Band
was ordered to Washington Barracks,
ID. c., where 1t Immediately plunged
| into the many duties OF the city. The
need then became apparent to- select
| a. capable leader, who must necessa-
rily possess more than average ability
as a hand leader Accordingly,
board OF officers and warrant ofncers
was appointed to report upon the EN-
cheney Of the applicants for the posi-
ton. The board, having gone over
1.-THE matter very carefully, selected
| Warrant Officer w. J. Stannard as
the band leader, and he was accord
ingiy detailed for that duty, where ne
has continued to the present.
Largely through Mr.. STANDARDS Ell
! forts the Army Band has taken Its
place in the very forefront OF musical
organizations, and he has placed the
Army Band on an equality with the
best there Is.
Mr.. Stannard entered the Army
when 1s years Of age. He has studied
under c. L. Stats of the Boston Sym
phony: Mr.. Norrito, clarinet soloist
with Sousa's Band for many years;
Band, France, and Mr.. Levy OF the
Russian Symphony Orchestra. In
1911 he won q scholarship TO the In
stitute OF Musical Art, under the d.
rection Of DIR. Frank Damrosch, and
graduated after having completed
four-year course in two years. He
was appointed band leader in June.
1918, and was Immediately assigned
| to the 3Oth Infantry, in Alaska, which
he reorga nized and brought to such a
high state of efficiency that he was
lcomplimented by Capt. ID. Z. Nolan.
now Gen. ID. E. Nolan From here
he went to the 18th Infantry, and I'M
der his baton the 18th made an en-
viable reputation. While in the Phil
| ippines Mr. Stanriard had the honor
of directing the Constabulary Band, a
W0rld.famous musical organization.
| On his return to the United states
Mr.. Stannard, an ranking band leader
at Camp Fremont, Calf. directed the
consolidated band concerts given at
the camp and also those within q
100.mile radius. He directed a most
impressive concert at the Auditorium.
San Fra cisco, accompanying Nine.
Schumann.H eink. Upon being or
lrdered to Camp Merritt, n. j., with
the 18th, he was placed in charge Of
all the music In the camp. and was
selected to direct the composite band
of the LIST Division for the reception
rendered to Gen. Pershing upon his
return from France: also directed the
band upon the occasions OF President
Wilson's departure for and return
from France.
In December, 1919. Mr.. Stannard
was detailed as instructor at the
Army Music School, Washington
| Barracks, d. c., hut was requested
to return to the 18th Infantry by it's
commanding officer. which he did.
remaining with the 18th for a period
of one wear, when he again took up
HIS duties as instructor. at the Army
Music School.
Upon receiving his assignment al
leader of the Army Band, his able
leadership very soon manifested
itself. One of his first acts was the
| organizing of an orchestra. which
proved its worth in. a series of con-
oerts during the Winter of 1924.
Two of these concerts were given
at the House once Building, which
| brought forth many commendatory
letters from members of the House.
The Army Band has been in the
forefront at the more important af-
fairs in the National Capital, having
led the funeral procession OF the late
President Harding and the Defense
day parade.
A certain lunchroom In Boston is
reaping a rich harvest of publicity
- -
United States Patent Office for ex-
elusive rights TO q square doughnut.
After much furore to determine
all the why's and wherefores, the
secret has been tracked to its lair
that the big idea behind the square
doughnut is that II flts better into
lunch boxes.
Representative ROYAL C.. Johnson
| of South Dakota. chairman Of the
House veterans COMMITTEES and next
friend OF every service man. having
been buddy with them In the
American Expeditionary Force, Is
telling a new story on Controller
General McCarl, official watchdog OF
the Treasury.
MeCarl went to the theater and
took q stroll afterward to get cooled
on. TIC HlSt . MedfH0 LFUtH tSuuhtico
whose shoes were pinchIng and who
was plumb tired out. Rather shame
facedly the Marine asked, Say,
Buddy, you'll not be offended IL ask
you something's" Rather anticipating
touch, Mr.. McCarl was not too
cordially encouraging when he directed
the Marine to say his say.
| The story was that he was on
leave from Quantico, had met friends
ana made some new friends and had
spent all his money. and was due
back at the station. The question
was. do you know how d fellow
in my. fix can get hack to camp"
Mt.C.arl didn't offer any encourage