Music: Patriotic Bandmasters

Military bands have many uses, but they are never quite so loudly in the groove as when they sound the brass, tinkle the cymbal, beat the drum for flagand country.

Last week two of the most famed bands in the U. S., the Navy and the Marine, were out & about the country on their annual concert tours. Their programs made good listening for patriots. The Marine Band’s Captain William F. Santelmann played nothing but U. S. music. His three programs contained Stephen Foster, Vic tor Herbert. Gershwin, Ferde Grofé, and some surprising items: band arrangements of a movement from Howard Hanson’s Nordic Symphony, Jabberwocky from Deems Taylor’s Through the Looking Glass suite, a rumba from Harl McDonald’s Second Symphony.

The Navy Band’s Lieut. Charles Benter tried and failed to get up a U. S. program, compromised by putting in some South American music, throwing out Wagner.

Said he: “I love Wagner and feel that music doesn’t go to war, but right now isn’t the right time. . . .” Lieut. Benter was the first musician of consequence to say the words which many a music lover had gloomily awaited.