The Washington times., 1926-04-12

peer of any Of the world s gre
Knowing, as Captain Stannard
does, that General Pershing and
the General Staff of the army, con-
ceived the idea of organizing
general staff band, for the army.
from, General Pershing's observa.
tons overseas during the world
war, the Army Bands leader I'M.
mediately inaugurated a musical
and organization policy designed TO
develop the method and technic
along the lines OF organizations
such as LIE Guarde Republicaine
Band, OF France, and the Banda
Mayor of Mexico. This ideal has
resulted in a measure of progress
for the United States Army Band,
in the four years of its existence
that leaves. little to be desired III
the matter of public esteem and
presages an even greater future.
Captain Stannard only recently
obtained the services of an as
sistant leader, Thomas F.. Darcy.
who has had direct first hand expe.
rience with the great bands of Eu-
rope, principally lie Guarde Re.
publicane Band, LIE Carribinera of
Italy, and the massed bands OF
Great Britain. and who is also a
cornet soloist of undoubted ability.
The Army Band leader now an
nounces that this is one of the
most important steps he has taken
since he has been welding the
baton over the army's representa-
tive musical organization and he
reveals plan on which he has
been tentatively working for many
months.
To Equal France and Mexico
"It has long been my desire" ="
said Captain Stannard. ito obtain
the services of an assistant who
has thorough knowledge of the
possibilities of the cup mouthpie:e
group of brass wind instruments.
In Mr.. Darcy there is brought to
the band the man have been
seeking these many months and
we are now going forward with u
plan / have had in mind for
bringing the reeds and brasses TO
a degree of development and syn
chronization that / hope will even
tually be comparable to the SYM
phony orchestra.
"Our Instrumentation is patterned
after La Guarde Republican, Band
and the Banda Mayor and it is
with every hope of success that
have delegated the training of
the brass wind section of the band
TO Mr.. Darcy, while I am pursuing
the game course with the reed sec
ton, which was my particular field
as an instrumentalist."
Members Of the band, ever respon-
sive to the ideals of their leader, have
entered into the spirit Of this expert
ment and before long it is likely thai
the organization will add to ITS
already brilliant record with public
demonstrations of the conviction OF
its leaders. that the wind" band can
be brought to the same high degree
of flowing Interpretation popularity
believed to be practicable only in the
symphony orchestra.
Mr.. Darcy, who just prior to his
assignment to the Army Band, was
an instructor Of soloists in the Army
Music School. has been received with
enthusiasm by the members Of the
band.
Wind instruments in New Era
The new assistant leader reveals a
depth Of understanding and q fins
appreciation Of the nature of his
task in working out the plans of
Captain Stannard in his ideals for
the progress of the band. He expects
great deal from players Of the
cup mouthpiece" group of wind
instruments. He is at the same time
competent to demonstrate on the
instrument these expectations and
to communicate the method of at.
tainment to others. He is not always
orthodox in his beliefs as to the pos.
sibilities OF the cornetSand other cup
mouthpiece instruments and his
views are interesting, particularly
when it is known that he can demon
strate his Views.
There are as many articulations
on the cornet as there are bow
ings on the violin and every good
cornet player should be familiar
with all OF these articulations," said
Mr.. Darcy. Quite a broad state.
ment and few there are who have
reached that stage of conviction
with respect to the brass wind in
struments.
Nothing gives greater satisfac.
ton than to feel that one is work,
ing in an environment where the