Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-12
"CANNED" BANDS
FOR ARMY BRING
SMILES FROM S0USA
Continued From First Page.l

notes of 1.-THE Stars and Stripes For
ever" ground themselves out upon the
breezes, and the regiment of Infantry
fell into step behind the slowly moving
band truck.
The above is merely picture of what
may be seen at any Army camp or post.
should the experiment under way at
Fort Washington with mechanical band
music on trucks, authorized by the
Assistant Secretary of War, become
effective.
A quiet little man, wearing the uni
form of lieutenant commander, United
States Navy, was seated in the lobby
of the Mayfiower Hotel when news was
brought to him that his world famous
masterpiece would in all probability lead
troops to battle played through the me-
dunn of a mechanical disc.
John Philip Sousa, whose inspiring
martial music has been heard through
out the world, smiled quiet, unper-
turbed smile, when informed of the
latest order regarding the plans for
future military music.
"Will Truck Keep in Step?"
'Will the truck keep in step, too?",
he smiled, recalling the many years
when at the first note of his band, the
companies fell into a long rythmical
march. NO" he nodded. II don't think
there'd be any inspiration to military
men marching behind a machine. I
don't think that mechanical music could
ever produce the same effect upon its
auditor as personal music. Then an
other thing, what would the private in
the rear ranks think?
'I think the private in the rear ranks
would want moment when he could
have his ears closed, and with mechani :.
no necessity to stop the music"
Lieut.. Comdr. Sousa, who arrived in
Washington to play his latest compost
ton, THE Royal WEIGH Fusilliers," be-
fore President Hoover, at the White
House today, has probably had more
experience than any man living In con-
nection with military bands and music,
and the effect of martial music upon
its auditors. For many years conductor
of the Marine Band in Washington, he
rendered invaluable service during the
World War in organizing naval bands
at the Great Lakes Training Station.
At one time over 800 were conducted
by him In one band. After the war
Lieut.. Comdr. Sousa retired from the
service, organized his own band toured
the world, playing his own compositions
in practically every capital throughout
Europe.
CompOses without Instrument.
No instrument is used by the famous
composer and leader in the composition
of his marches.
81 composed The Stars and Stripes
Forever on my return from a visit
abroad" he said. THE strains came to
me almost the moment set foot upon
the ship in Liverpool. had been very
homesick and think must have walk
ed the deck at least 800 times, with the
notes of the march going through my
head. BY the time reached New York
I had completed the composition"
Another composition of Lieut.. Comdr.
Sousa, 1.-THE Pageant Of Atlantic City,"
was composed, arranged and published
before the composer ever heard q note
of his music. IT was at hotel at the
time" he explained, "and had no in
strument near me, so sent the manu-
script to the publisher without ever
having heard the music"
THE Washington Bicentennial," a
march, to be dedicated to the bicen-
tennial in 1892, needs but one more
strain for its completion, Lieut.. Comdr.
Sousa said. But cannot say when
it will be finished. never know when
the music will come to me. Sometimes
1t comes faster than I can write and
at other times cannot get the music
at all"
Advantage in Battle.
Returning to the original subject of
the interview, canned music" for mill
tary purposes, the military musician
well, there might be one advantage
to mechanical band music. That would
be in battle. Instead of sending the
band to the rear, as is customary, the
band truck could charge upon the
enemy without any danger of killing
of the trombone player or the second