Evening star., 1948-07-11
Military Band
Inspector Here
From Canada
By Alice Eversman

A. L. Streeter, who is in the city
on a visit. Inspector Of Canadian
military bands, Maj. Streeter Is on
a busman's holiday as guest of the
Army Band and its director. Capt.
Curry. Wanting to get away from
it all' for little while. the major
seized the opportunity to come to
washington where he was pressed
into service Friday night to con-
duct the overture to Rossinfs will
liam Tell" during the Army Band
program at the east front OF the
Capitol.
Being inspector Of bands in Cam
ada means travelling from coast to
coast with stops at every unit where
a band is stationed. Maj. Streeter
makes this trip yearly looking over
the equipment, the library and the
musical discipline of the groups.
There are $50 bands In the active
and reserve forces and while none
of these Is comparable In size to
the bands of the four services, sta
toned in Washington, they include
special units such as bugle. trumpet
and pipe bands not generally used
in the United States. During his
inspection tour Maj. Streeter takes
time for lectures on subjects nee
essary for the improvement OF the
bands functioning and to impress
upon the leaders the rules and
regulations governing such matters.
Has Special Background.
He brings to this work splendid
BACKGROUND formed In the famous
Roval Military School OF Music.
Kneller Hall. This school, which
was the home Of the 18th century
court portrait painter OF Charles IL.
Sir Godfrey Kneller. will celebrate
it's Tooth anniversary as q military
music training center in nine years.
1t has been under the direct con-
troll of the British War Off1ce since
1867. The three years, intensive
study covers every subject. To
enter one must have a preparation
extending over decade at least.
Besides the mastery OF chosen
string and q wind instrument. q
knowledge of all band instruments
is required. supplemented oy
thorough grounding in composition
and conducting.
Mai. Streeter battled family OPP
position to a musical career when.
after service during the first war
with the Kings Royal Rifle Corps,
he decided to turn his earlier train
ing-which began with piano and
organ instruction from childhood
to the study of military music.
Parental consent was gained finally
only on condition that he prepare
himself fully for this end. Standing
far ahead as leader of his class.
he was winner Of all awards, cul-
minating in the coveted MUSICIANS
Medal. This was gained after
grueling examination that included
such tricky demands as the writ
ing of the third voice Of a choral
theme after not more than two
hearings.
Directing by Memory.
The period Of study at Kneller
Hall was varied from classroom In
struction to the acquiring OF actual
experience. Opportunities to con-
I duct some OF the 1885 military bands
in the neighborhood were given
with the proviso that the final re-
hearsal and the public performance
be directed from memory. There
was composing to be done for the
choir of the Royal Chapel and
must" attendance at the opera
and the winter symphony concerts.
All this was provided at govern
ment expense.
Before he had finished the three
year course, Maj, Streeter was re-
ouested as bandmaster of the 1913
Queen Mary Royal Hussars. AL
though contrary to precedent, he
received the War Office's unofhcial
nomination. dependent upon his
ability to maintain his superior
ratings for complete confirmation.
Again at the top of his class, he
received the coveted post. His APP
pointment to his present office was
to see to the unification of the per-
formance Of military music through"
out the empire.
One of the important tasks was
to insure the regulations regarding
the playing OF the British national
anthem. Until serious illness OF
George v this was something OF q
haphaZard affair. During the Kings
convalescence, a band played the
national hymn in so fine manner
as to win the appreciation OF the
monarch. This is how I wish the
anthem to be played" he said and
steps were Immediately taken TO
set tempo and instrumental color
to that pattern. The approved ver-
sion is used in all concert perform
ances but variations occur, also ac-
cording to regulations, when played
for members of the royal family or
for governors Of the dominions.
Differences Of Viewpoint.
| Mai. Streeter offered his apologies
to Capt. Curry for the tempt he took
when called upon to direct the play
ing of the American national am
them ut is such gay tune" he
said, that I took it at lively pace
and only here learned that 1t was
played at slower tempo" He found
differences in the placement OF the
band ensemble and was ready to
challenge Capt. Curry to an argu-
ment respecting the effective posi-
ton of the trumpets. ,
The Canadian bands. for which
he Is reSnOnsible at present have
little government support. Most OF
the upkeep devolves on the military
unit to which they are attached. As
yet, none of the bands are Of size
or proficiency to warrant concert
tours such as are undertaken by tho
service bands of the United States.
The closest to these is the RCA
Central Band of Ottawa. which Ii
beginning a series of popular con-
certs for the general public like
those given in this city.
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