Evening star., 1932-03-06

LLe nOC61 IN WHICH ne lINeO "do AOi a
ham Lincoln.
Best Known for March.
Best known for his STARS and Stripes
Forever" march, his activity as band
master, first with the United States
Marine Corps and lcter at the head of
his own world-famous organization, has
been equally notable. The mounting
years have never been able to strike
the brisk baton from his hand. To the
last he was the trouper- -bandmaster-
musician.
It has been only recently that Lieut..
Comdr. Sousa had permitted broaocastS
on a regular schedule of his bands
music For years he remained one OF
the few artists who denied themselves
to the air waves. Instead, he submitted
to the rigors of annual tours, sweeping
through the Nation with his band and
soloists, carrying the classics to COM
munities ignored by many other artists
who failed to see, as Sousa saw. the
need and appreciation of good music
in smaller places.
He was the march king" without
counter claimant to the throne, filling
1t completely, as did StrauS the throne
of waltz king" But his stylus was
versatile, and he wrote in virtually all
other categories. including opera and
musical comedy.
Funeral In Washington Likely.
The coroner Immediately notified the
composer -bandman's home In Washing
ton, D. c., and word was awaited early
today as to plans for his funeral, which
probably will be at the Capital
Sousa made his last appearance in
Washington as leader of the maSsed
Army, Navy and Marine Bands at the
George Washington Bicentennial cele-
bration on Washington's birthday. The
Plaza.
The eminent composer in November,
1880, presented to President Hoover the
score of George Washington Bicenten-
nial March" which he composed for
this event At the white House, the
famous band leader once again led the
Marine Band, which he brought to
prominence
The Chief Executive thanked the
march king for his latest production
and the brief ceremony was broadcast
by radio.
A career Of more than so years be-
fore the public, during which he COM
posed more than 800 works and had di-
rected his famous band in all the prin-
= cipal cities of the world, made Sousa
one OF the most widely known Of con-
temporary American musicians.
Although an accomplished musician
early in his teens, 1T was his work as
. director Of the United States Marine
: Corps Band that served as the STEP
ping stone to a position of prominence
In the musical world
/. Sousa became member Of the Ma
rine Corps Band when only IS years
? Of age through scheme Matched by
: his father, member of the band, to
thwart the boys plans to run away
with o circus band
The father had him enlisted as an
apprentice, and among the regulations
that were read to the recruit was one
providing that desertion would be pun
. tshed by shooting at sunrise" The
bandmaster often told that story later
IN life saying: II didn't want anything
Like that to happen, so stayed In the
band" 9"r+
Gave Violin Lessons.
After about two years, however, Sousa
left the Marine Band to strike out for
himself, and put in several years con-
Quoting theatrical and other orchestras
and giving violin lessons. His first
engagement Of importance was In 1877,
when. as first violinist, he toured the
country with the orchestra Of Jacques
Ohenbach, composer Of Tales Of Hoff-
man
One month before his 25th birthday,
Sousa returned to the Marine Band as
conductor and remained with the Or
ganization IL years During that time
he developed the organization TO a high
standard Of proficiency and placed it
IN the front rank Of military bands.
However, the musicians were poorly paid
and Sousa had made considerable
financial sacrifice to remain as director.
In 1892 an opportunity came TO the
bandmaSter to carry out plan he had
had in mind for a long time-the or
ganization of a band Of his own to
present the works of great composers
before audiences which operate COM
panies and symphony orchestras could
not hope to reach. The annual tours
OF his band created familiarity with
and an appreciation for good music
throughout America, and this is re-
garded by many as Sousas greatest
service in the field of music.
Made European Tours.
The band has played in every city
Of size in the United States, and has
made several tours of Europe, one
started late in 1910 being extended to
tour of the world, which continued
until the early part Of 1912
His musical library was one of the
most complete in the world.
Acceding to the wishes Of his au-
diences, SouSa was one of the first IA
nous bandmasters to introduce popu-
lar music as encore numbers at his
concerts. In recent years his programs
included fantasie of jazz, made UP of
half a dozen first -class jazz compost
tions. The approval expressed by the
audiences, he said, vindicated his judg-
ment in doing that.
1t would be difficult to say whether
Sousa won greater fame as a band
master or as a composer. In the latter
role he was prolific and seemed always
to have a new thought and melody. His
music is of the stirring kind with a
martial swing and nearly all of his
compositions have enjoyed unusual pop
ularity
SouSa's musical works include 10 op-
eras, many songs and suites. more than
100 marches and The Last Crusade, -
perhaps his most pretentious work for
orchestra, organ and choir. His
marches, however, are the best known
OF his works
Marches Won Favor.
The question What do you consider
your best composition" was often put
to SoiIsa. Invariably he replied IN
that respect I feel like the woman with
several babies: there is some good in
all of them" And as frequently he ex-
pressed his pride in his famous The
Stars and Stripes Forever" which he
believed to be his most popular march
with the American people.
Among others OF SouSa'S marches
that were popular favorites we're The
High School Cadets" "Semper. Fidelis, .
THE Washington Post" King Cotton, -
"El Captain" Liberty Bell" "Manhat-
tan Beach" The Thunderer." In fact
nearly every one of his marches was
regarded as favorite by certain fol-
lowing His operas included: THE