Evening star., 1937-08-15
By John Clagen Proctor.

- tinuing until September II, the
Canadian National Exhibition
~ will be held at Toronto, Can
ada, and the Navy Band, one OF the
Governments crack musical organiza-
tions, has been invited to attend. The
Navy Department has given its con-
sent, and tn fortnight or so it is quite
likely We shall hear this popular con-
tingent, under the direction OF Lieut.,
Charles Benter, broadcasting from this
delightful Canadian city.
CT course, the Marine Band, much
older organization, has played in most
every State of the Union and across
the great pond as well, but this is
only to be expected OF such an in
ternationally known body OF men.
However, the Navy Band is quite young.
so far as time is concerned, and its
leader Is entitled to considerable credit
for building up to such high
musical standard, in the short space
Of 10 years, an organization that stands
side by side with the best bands of the
country. Indeed, to this fact its
many thousands-perhaps Millions
of admirers who have listened to it over
the air will attest and. having heard
1t 50 often, they realize when they
hear it announced and recognize the
familiar strains of Anchors AWeigh'
that a well-balanced and finely exc
cuted program awaits them, and no
one is ever disappointed.
4 LEAFLET issued by the band
contains the following reference
TO it by its tour manager, Wayne
Borton:
Here to take his place among the
great band leaders of all time is Lieut..
Charles Benter. leader Of the famous
United States Navy Band of Washing
ton, D. c. The position OF Lieut..
Benter Is unique, for whereas other
directors succeeded to the leadership
of units STEPPED in tradition, he
founded his own organization, brought
It to a state of perfection second to
no similar organization in the world
and has been the only leader during
its existence.
Charles Benter's entire career has
been colored by his deep appreciation
of military music. particularly those
patriotic airs that are traditional to
our Navy and those men who from
time immemorial have gone down to
the sea in ships. He enlisted in the
Navy when mere boy, and by the
time he had reached the age of 20,
through steady promotions he had
attained the rank of bandmaster on
the battleship Rhode Island, being the
Youngest man ever to hold that rank in
the Navy.
up to this period it was due only
10 the earnest efforts OF sincere
American band leaders that inStru-
mental music had been kept alive on
the ships Of our Navy. Charles Ben
ter, one Of these men, reared in the
Navy Of Uncle Sam, thorough musl-
clan, imbued with the ideals OF duty
to the nag he served, courageously
discarded many of the outmoded
customs and traditions which he felt
were keeping service bands in mu-
steal rut, and started that progress
which resulted in his building up one
Of the finest musical units afloat.
"It Is not surprising, therefore, that
shortly after the close Of the World
War Bandmaster Benter Of the U. S.
S. Connecticut was ordered to Wash
inzton and assigned the duty OF
creating a band worthy Of upholding
the traditions Of the Navy and that
would rank second to none in the
world. This was in 1919, and six
years later Benter's efforts were recog-
nized when by special act of Con-
gress, effective March 4, 1925, the
United States Navy Band was made
q permanent organization. with its
leader ranking as lieutenant, senior
grade, U. S. N. Fifteen years later,
this same band, under the leadership
of Lieut.. Benter. was to be recognized
by the American Bandmasters' Asso-
citation, in convention assembled, as
the outstanding band in America, and
one that will undoubtedly 60 down in
naval annals as the foremost musical
organization ever to wear the Navy
blue"
ORIGINALLY this band, organized
In l9l8 was composed OF only
four men, but soon grew in numbers,
until in 1923 it included 63 men, and
that Is probably its present number.
Although many honors have come
to this fine body OF musicians, yet one
of the most outstanding recognitions
given it was when President Harding,
in 1928, selected 35 men from the
band to accompany him on his visit
to Alaska. However, there was a
tinge Of sadness in this trip, for as
you will probably recall, the President
died Immediately upon his return to
the States, his death occurring in
San Francisco, Calf, on August 2.
In addition to this the band has
played outside the city many times
when on tour and concerts are said
to have been played IN over thou
sand cities, hamlets and villages of
the United States.
As would naturally be expected, all
the members of this band are very
fine men as well as being outstanding
musicians, and its assistant leader
Alexander Morris. is an especially able
man, and one with lot of person.
ality, the kind that always wins
friends.
Indeed, as has been we'll said, "the
Navy and the country at large may
we'll be proud Of having In our own
land a musical organization that ranks
with the best in European countries"
TORONTO, where the Navy Band
is going for short stay, has much
In common with the Capital OF the
United States. 1t was founded in 1894,
is one of the chief cities of the Do
minion Of Canada and the capital Of
the Province Of Ontario. Its popula-
zion has kept pace with our own city
OF Washington, and 1t is a beautiful
All f,,1 y,1aon ~ yisjt