Evening star., 1949-11-06
By Alice. Eversmon

short addresses.
It is quite fitting that the great
band leader should be remem-
bered by these young bandsmen.
Sousa was always interested in
young musicians who wished to
take up this particular branch Of
work and constantly gave encour-
agement to them. It was his GUS
tom. on the many tours Of this
country, to have the local high
school band take part in his pro-
gram. The players would assemble
on the stage during the inter-
mission, all ready to perform un-
der Sousa's direction, one of his
marches that had been carefully
rehearsed for months before.
Sometimes the conductor and the
ardent musicians would not sec
eye to eye on the tempo and then
a slow smile would spread over
the leaders face and he would
hurry to catch up with his inter-
prefers.
Library Left to University.
In order that future band mu-
sicians might have access to his
library, it was bequeathed to the
University Of Illinois. which he
considered had "the worlds great
est college band" It is now known
as the Sousa Memorial Library
and consists Of several large rooms,
some housing the music and ons
his directors stand, some original
manuscripts Of his compositions
and his portrait.
Everything associated with the
famous leader bears the imprint Of
his personality. Take the stand,
for instance. When 1t was un-
packed at the university, an Or
dinary broom with a cutoff han
die lay beside 1t. The broom was
very important. Sousa required
that the red velvet carpet that
covered the stand be Immediately
clean. It was not always easy, when
preparing for concert, to find
a broom or to find a janitor who
might have broom. The problem
was solved by carrying one In the,
trunk. Also. still hanging from
the stand. Is piece Of cord to
which Is attached the stub Of q
pencil. This was used for any
notations or changes the conduc-
tor wanted to remember.
Forty-two trunks were needed
to transport the music library.
It contains some 1889 catalogued
compositions and many not yet
indexed. His own works are
among them. There is the dirge.
TN Memorium," written at the
time Of President Garfield's death
and played by the Marine Band
with Sousa conducting at the In
terment exercises in Cleveland.
Also "The Sesquicentennial" for
Philadelphia and 1.-THE st. Louis
Exposition" for that city. His
writings were not confined to
marches for he was the author
OF several novels, one Of which,
"The Fifth String" was Q best
seller; II operas and many songs.
Drum Parts made" Works.
It is claimed by men who were
members Of his organization that
the secret Of the perfection Of
his band lay in the drum parts
and the proper Interpretation Of
them. When a boy in. Washing
ton. his great friend was Frank s.
Lusby, an expert rudimental
drummer. Together they wrote
drum and bugle corps marches
and. years later. an instruction
work for trumpet and drum
which was published In 1885 but
Is now out Of print. This early
association left an ineradicable
influence that is to be recognized
in "The Stars and Stripes For
ever" "Semper Fidelis" and
every other march.
It was the British who named
him the March King" and he
was 50 hailed on his several
world tours. He was decorated by
Edward VII Of England and was
made q member Of the French
and Belgium Academies. He was,
one Of the few who served as q
commissioned officer in the three
branches Of our military service.
the Army, the Navy and the
Marine Corps. And it was he
who. as leader Of the Marine
Band, persuaded President Har-
rison to allow the band to travel
50 that the people Of this coun-
try could hear it.
AL these honors, and lasting
fame, came to the little boy who
was born at GIT G street Sc.
There is hardly q country in the
world that does not know Of him.
that has not thrilled, at some
time, to his music. All the great
events In his homeland, since he
began to compose, have been cele-
brated by the playing Of his
stirring works. And when the
tragedy Of war has come, young,
fear-stricken hearts have felt the
surge Of courage at the first
sound Of the inimitable Sousa
rhythm and harmonies. The Boys
Club Band, under the direction
OF Andrew G.. Bodnar, will In
clude three Of his compositions on
the program: Manhattan Beach,"
King Cotton" and ''The Stars
and Stripes Forever"
Wsrren {. johnson. orsanise
Church Of HE Pilarims