Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1896 — Military Bands of Europe. [ARTICLE]

Military Bands of Europe.

The two leading bands of Europe today, which met in honorable rivalry at the French exhibition in London during the summer and fall of 1890, are those of the Grenadier Guards of England, conducted by the world-famed bandmaster, the Hon. Lieut. Dan Godfrey, and the Guarde Republicane of France, conducted by M. Webtge. Both are composed of picked men—artists who have served a long apprenticeship in other bands previous to being honored and gratified by being called to join these. And when upon state occasions, such as trooping the colors on the Queen’s birthday, the Guards’ bands of the Grenadiers, Coldstreams and Scots Fusiliers are massed together for combined effort, or the full complement of theGuarde Republicane Is pouring forth glorious melody under the trees of Paris’ great parks and gardens, one can fully understand how It comes to pass that their fame has extended so widely. Our American orchestra, conducted by Mr. Sousa, is avowedly an imitation of the great French band. Lieut Godfrey brought his band to the grand international musical festival held in Boston during the year 1872. This was the first time an English soldier had appeared in uniform In America since the days of 1812-’l6. Questions were asked in Parliament as to the advisability of the step, and a special act of that augtist body was necessary to enable the band to leave the country. Belonging, as It does, to the personal establishment of the sovereign, Victoria could have done no greater honor than to send to us, clad In bearskin and resplendent scarlet and gold, her favorite musicians.—Chautauquan.