Evening star., 1936-11-29

Washington where Navy service music
is feature Of the occasion.
Ever since he first entered the Navy
nearly 80 years later, Lieut.. Benter
has felt the need of such q school and
its existence is tribute to the wis
dom and earnestness Of his vision
and the unwavering purposefulness
with which he has advocated it. He
is as proud of it, too, as you would
expect fond father to be of an in
FAINT prodigy.
Navy thoroughness marks every de-
tail OF its set-up. Its avowed purpose
is to give in two years the essentials
Of a musical education which q con-
servatory would ordinarily cover in
four. So, its course is an intensive
one and its sessions are all the year
around ones. School hours are from
8 am to pm. on weekdays with
national holidays the only vacations
slated on the schools calendar. Spe-
clal leave Is seldom granted except
IN cases OF emergency where family
illness or death necessitate it.
After 10 months Of satisfactory serv-
ice with the United States Naval
School of Music its students are eligi-
BILE to take an examination, success in
which advances them to the rating of q
musician, second class, at a salary of
$54 a month.
The maximum salary to those in the
United States Navy Band service Is
$3.50 month with pension privileges
after continuous period of 81 years,
and food. shelter, clothing and medical
and dental care during the time of
active service.
The regular uniform of the students
of the Navys Music School is that Of
the seamen's, navy blue in color with a
little Tyre upon the sleeve as the in
sigma of their afiliation with the
band.
Invited to Concerts.
That it may have the benefit Of
hearing finished musicians give Sc
lected programs, the entire student
body of the school is required to at
tend the weekly orchestra band
concert which Lieut.. Benter and his
associates of this famous organization
broadcast all over the United States
from the Navy Yard. Seated in a
special section, they are always of
. interest to the music lovers among
the general public who flock to hear
these programs
Special groups are selected from the
Navy School of Music's students to
provide the music for the Sunday
church services held at the Navy Yard
the year around. To these the public
is always cordially welcome
Each student in the Music School Is
allowed one evening off week. desig-
mated as liberty night" and from
Saturday after inspection" until
Monday morning
inspection" includes every imagin-
able sort of check-up from the spick
and spanness of yourself to that of your
quarters. As one of the most i'm
maculate youths whom I have ever
met put it to me in response to a
query of mine, from hair cuts and
finger nails would say, to whether
your bed is without a wrinkle" As
the mother of sons enviously found
myself wishing that other educational
institutions might somehow take on
the Navy Music Schools ideal of Ship
shape" as a part Of general character
education.
Curriculum Varied.
The curriculum Of the United States
Navy School of Music is as varied as
it is intensive, theory and practice
running side by side. Its pupils have
lectures in musical appreciation, the
history Of music and musical instru-
ments, the theory Of harmony and
solfege (Which Is singing by syllables
for training the ear to delicacy of
pitch and sound). They also have
expert individual instruction upon
their own instruments and in en-
sembles for band and orchestra, which
include string, wind, wood and brass
technique. The student who comes
in playing q major instrument, say in
the brass or woods-perhaps its .
trombone or tuba must double" for
all-around efficiency upon stringed
instrument such as the violin, viola
or guitar. The clarionet player must
in time prove to be just as expert upon
the saxophone or vice versa.
Lieut.. Benter, in addition to being
the leader Of the band above all other
bands, which is designated as 'the
Navy Band" Is the officer in charge
of the Navy's Music School.
His ideal for its graduates is-that
with equal ease they shall be able
to play a symphony, lead parade
or put on varied program for the
fleets entertainment, including the
best jazz for dance, ashore or
afloat.
Associated with Lieut.. Benter is
an all-Navy faculty, every one Of
whom is also member of the band
which he conducts. They are James
Morgan Thurmond, dean of the school,
who is the instructor of bands. Ralph
Mack is the head Of the string depart
ment, instructor Of advance violinists
and Of the violas, and director of band
and orchestra string ensembles.
Joseph Bernard Is in charge of the
schools schedules and its relations
with the public. To him and to Mr..
Mack, as well as to many other indi-
vidual members Of the schools staff,
I am indebted for patient, courtesy in
the answering Of countless questions
and delightful cooperation in my
sightseeing trip about the school.
John B. Peck is the instructor Of
trombones and Of brass ensembles.
John Liegel is the teacher Of wood
and wind instruments. John Reich
mach Is in charge of solfege intruc-
ton and of the theory and appre-
citation Of music. H. Froman presides
over the classes in harmony. The
baritones come under the Jurisdiction
of G. Barbera. The drums look to
Louis Goucher for their training.
Albert Jones Is the expert in instru-
mentation. Ralph Lewis trains the
cornet players. Justin Mccarthy
teaches the saxophone players. Kurt
Liebe teaches the bass and tubas.
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