Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-04
"THE PRESIDENTS OWN"
Such Has Become the Marine Band Every nau-
gural Except the First. 1t Took the Place
of Flies and Drums.

for the order that Maj. Burrows pur-
chase at once two French horns. two
clarinets, one baSsoon, base drum and
the reeds for the clarinets and bassoon.
This order was given on August 81, 1900,
just before the Government moved to
the new Capital on the Potomac. On
arriving from the Quaker City the Ma
rine Cops found a temporary barracks
on the river front on the exact site of
the Naval Hospital and its grounds. On
November the new instruments came
by special transports. and on that date
the oldest band in the established re-
public ceased to be q flfe and drum
affair.
It had been, many old chroniclers say.
source Of bitter envy to the music
French allied wing had all kinds Of fine
instruments to lead their soldiers to
battle, and the splendid marches from
the British side could be plainly heard
when the rattle Of the fife and drum
was drowned. At once Mai. Burrows Is
sued the horns to his picked men, and
an experienced teacher from New York
was engaged to train them. The goal
Of the band was to attain q proficiency
to warrant their playing for President
Jefferson's Inauguration. Early In Janu-
airy, 1901, the commander jubilantly re-
ported to Secretary Stoddert that every
lad who was taking lessons could al
ready carry o tune"
On the morning of March 4, 1901,
the Marines and their band were Ga
dered to march down the Avenue and
meet the cavalcade Of citizens, who II
they owned and could manage q horse
had been requested to meet In front Of
the White House and form . guard Of
honor to the Capitol. The band COW
cred itself with glory, playing THE
Presidents March" at least three times.
According TO the current National In
telligencer. They went through the
usual evolutions in mastery manner,
fired Is rounds In platoons and con-
cluded with q general feu de joie.
Meantime the band played patriotic
airs with great precision and martial
strains with much spirit"
Attractions at Ball.
At the ball given on the evening Of
this first Inauguration held in WASH
ington, the Marines and their band
were stellar attractions and President
Jefferson met every member of the
corps and the musicians. The President
often attended the rehearsals Of the
band and took a hand at the horn
and with the cello. In remembrance
of these friendly acts and his constant
sage of Monticello the godfather Of
the Marine Band" Jefferson's sec
ond Inauguration was somewhat more
brilliant and better attended than his
first, but the era Of visiting militia
with their bands even. from Baltimore
or adjacent small cities. had not ar
rived.
When James Madison was inaugural
ed ahe Marines had o renowned band
and its movements shared the popular
attention almost as much IS the mighty
personages who were Marching into
history Alexandria, Baltimore and
Georgetown sent cavalcades Of mount
ed citizens called in complimentary
Band In front playing o new "Presi-
dents March," which inspired the wait
ing throng to many lusty and prolonged
hurrahs. With larger crowds and Q
few more bands. the inaugurations Of
the succeeding IL years presented the
same aspect.
But with John Quincy Adams came
the first step toward the grand mill
tary professions, the many bands and
the spectacle which inspired poets and
artists.
After 1853 Inauguration professions
were longer and the city was flooded
with melody. More members had been
added to the Marine Corps Band, their
pay had been increased and their uni
forms had become more gorgeous. Presi-
dent Mckinley In 1898 signed the bill
which he had advocated when ne was
In the House. recognising the band.
It's strength. giving its leader
the rank Of second lieutenant and ap-
pointing an assistant leader. Then the
band attained the glory which WASH
ingtonians now accord 1t, and its uni
forms are a. colorful and striking Is
any worn In the world. Nearly $50
years old. the Marine Band considers
itself grandfather to every other ma
ticnal band since authorized.
President Harding, like Jefferson, was
a musician. having played the tuba
horn in the Marion Band. When he
planned the Inflated trip to Alaska he
requested that the Army Band formed
u &19, accompany him.