Evening star., 1932-05-08


ployed at the Comique from about 1878
OF course all Washingtonians were friendly
to Mr.. SouSa as they naturally should have
been. for he was the first leader of the Marine
Band to have been a native of this city, and
when he gave up the leadership of this splen-
did organization in 1892 everybody here was
sorry, and when he later returned with his own
band. in October Of that year, Metzerott's
Music Hall was crowded to the doors.
The writer Is sorry he did not keep his pro-
gram Of this concert, as he did for the subse-
quent concerts of February /, 1900; January
Is, 1901, when he came to the National Thea
ter and March 30, 1902 also at the National
Here Is his program for 1901 Overture, "Isa-
BELLA" Suppe; trombone solo, The Patriot"
Pryor, played by the composer; ballet suite,
"The History of Pierrot," Mario Costa; So
prano solo, Where Is Love-" Sousa, sung by
Miss Blanche Dufheld; grand scene, 20 Fatal
Stone" (Aida), Verdi; invitation q Ia valse
Weber, devilish chorus, I'm the Soudan," Sc
beck: march, Hail to the Spirit Of Liberty"
Sousa: violin solo, "Adagio and Moto Perpe-
turn" Ries, played by Miss Bertha Bucklin:
czardas, Ritter Pasman," Johan Strauss.
FRANCISCO FANCIULLI who succeeded
Mr.. Sousa was undoubtedly one Of the
most thorough musicians who ever headed the
Marine Band but following Sousa and his pop
ular marches placed him at a great disadvan-
However, he seems to have gotten along very
nicely until Memorial day. 1897, when he ap-
pears to have lost his head by engaging in an
argument with his superior oficer, always q
bad thing to do in military life. Many will. no
doubt, recall this incident, as 1t was given con-
siderable space by the press at the time. In
running 1t down few days ago, the writer
found that May 81. 1897, The Star said:
There was but one unpleasant incident con-
nected with todays parade and that resulted
in the technical arrest of Prof. F. Fanciull
leader of the Marine Band, which band headed
the line and subsequently took part in the cere-
monies at Arlington. 1t occurred while the
line was forming on the north side of Penn
sylvania avenue, and the band stood at rest
just above willard's Hotel, awaiting the signal
to start The arrest due to q disagree
ment between Prof. Fanciulh and Lieut. T. L.
Draper Of the United States Marine Corps COM
manding the Marine contingent of the parade.
concerning the character of the music fur
nished.
The Lieutenant DispIeased.
'It appears that Lieut. Draper was not en-
tirely satisfied with the marches played by the
band on the way from the barracks to the
starting point. and that he then had taken
occasion to suggest the playing of FL Captain
He subsequently said he didn't care anything
about who composed the music, but he did
want the band to play such marches as would
enable the troops TO make a better appearance
on parade.
Hence it was that, when the organization
was about to start of at the head of the pro-
cession, Lieut.. Draper stepped up to Prof Fam
ciulh and suggested that he order the band to
play q march with fun swing to it. The
professor did not take this suggestion at all In
good part, and told the oficer that he would
play what he saw f1t,' adding that while he was
ready to play whenever and wherever he was
ordered he reserved the right to select the
music himself. The conversation, which began
quietly, soon assumed a more serious phase.
"a Heated CoIloquy.
you'll play what I order you to play ex-
claimed Lieut.. Draper to Prof. Fanciulli. The
latter again disputed the right Of Lieut.. Draper
10 interfere with what he considered his own
tenant ordered him to return at once to the
Marine Barracks and report himself under
arrest to the officer in charge.
There was no dispute as to this order, and
the leader Of the band fell out Of line and
returned to the Navy Yard. His place was
filled by Prof Larson, the next in line of lead
ership. After he had had short consultation
with Lieut. Draper the command forward,
march was given and the band started
off >"
EVIDENTLY the press took up for Prof.
raiiCAuhi, Uut diLS ldAcu W save illiu auu
he left the city and the Marine Band October
81 1897, and established himself in New York,
where his music was greatly appreciated for
many years
The next leader Of the band, Capt. william
II. Santelmann, was appointed March 3, 1898,
and retired April ~. 1927, and his successor.
Capt. Taylor Branson, every inch q musician
and leader, as well as . native Washingtonian,
Immediately commissioned In his place.
In the early days. the members Of the Ma
rine Band did not receive the consideration as
to rank and salary they receive today, and they
were practically forced to pick up what they
could in playing outside engagements. It was
this practice, which, in 1897 brought on Q
clash between q subsequent President and q
1s-year-old boy, now q well-known judge, IN
which the music leader finally won out, and
the Marine Band members received an increase
irs ,<,f ffor fnd 30