The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-07
(BY JOHN BARR)

Library. The title is, MARCH ING ALONG, Recollections of Men, Women and Music," by JOHN PHILIP SOUSA; published in 1928-four years before his death at the age of seventy eight.
 It brought back stirring memo ries of Sousa's famous band con- certs on Manhattan Beach, Coney Island, in the "gay nineties," when dignified Manhattan Beach was in the hey-day of its popularity, and merry-go-rounds and roller coasters and "bally-hoo" were re- stricted to the other end of the island.
 At that time Manhattan Beach was one of the finest beaches on the Atlantic coast, but later a severe winter storm damaged it so badly that the present bulkheads were put in.
 Austin Corbin, president of the Long Island Railroad, had built and was operating the Manhattan Beach Hotel and was stopping at no expense to give it worldwide fame; so Sousas Band was en- gagged for the summers through the "nineties" for afternoon and evening concerts on the beach in front of the hotel.
 Popular Attraction
 This proved a great drawing card, crowding the hotel with guests and attracting thousands of day visitors to the beach. For every tourist who came to New York during those summers was sure to plan 8 day at Manhattan Beach as the big event of his trip and residents of New York city too, took full advantage of their opportunity.
 Of course it was a treat to hear Sousa's band of eighty highly trained musicians at any time and any where, but it was 8 double treat to hear them at the sea-sllore on a fine summer after noon or evening.
 The afternoon concerts began at 3, and the evening at 8. The funnel-shaped band-stand (which protected the musicians from too much sea-breeze) was built on the beach just above high-tide mark, facing the hotel. The space between the band-stand and the hotel was filled with a semi circle of reserved seats, and the broad hotel verandas served as a dress circle fer the hotel guests. While the seats were usually crowded or well filled, other listeners preferred to stand or stroll about within hearing distance during the con- certS.
 Guest Artists
 Sollsa introduced many novel; ties and frequent surprises. With his anvil choruSeS cannon were fired from the beach. He produced thrilling effects with his trumpeters, lining up 30 or 40 at time across the front of the stage. Often he would give his audience a pleasant surprise by leading to the front some vocal celebrity. I recall an occasion when charming Marie Tempest sang popular songs and the whole band hummed the chorus, and all the while the Atlantic ocean was humming its own grand under tone.
 During that period Sousa was writing many of his most popu- lar marches and operas, and some of them were first presented to the public at Manhattan Beach. Among these was STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER, which net ted him $300,000 in royalties. He wrote over a hundred marches in all. The earliest ones he sold outright for $15 piece.
 Enjoyment of Manhattan Beach and the Sousa concerts was heightened by the fine quality and spirit of the crowds of people we met there. It was an era of prosperity and good feeling. Americans were mighty proud of their country and its splendid achievements and were looking forward with great expectations. The national debt was wiped out. The cost of running the govern ment was met by the receipts of the custom house from duties or imports. All the world wondered at the amazing success of the Grand Republic and every in- coming ship brought immigrants from foreign lands eager to see and share this new land of free dom and opportunity.
 Reflected Happiness
 It is all good to remember. We who were there can close our eyes and the scenes will come back again like motion pictures. Can't you see it The ocean is all a. glitter in the midsummer after noon sunshine! Joyous crowds who have had their surf-baths and luncheon, are strolling on the beach - eyes sparkling - faces flushed with sun-burn and hap piness-hair flying in the sea breeze-merrily laughing and in- Hating their lungs with the ex- hilarating ozone. See, they are all in pairs!-children, young folks, middle aged, old folks-And we smile with 8 heart-throb as