Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 256, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 October 1910 — Music in the United States Navy [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Music in the United States Navy

enlisted men In the United States nary M work hard upon occa- » | sion and it is conseJ quently only right that they should play hard "When tne time comes for relaxation and diversion. That they have the ability to play hard as well as to work hard is most apparant to any person who watches the bluejackets during their leisure moments either afloat or ashore, and the best part of it is

lhat Jack’s pastimes are of the tvholesouled, healthful sort that refresh him in mind and body as well as amuse him. Music plays a most important part in the lighter side of life in the American navy, both as the accompaniment of the frolics of all kinds and as an enteitainer In itself. The foremost factor in the musical resources of a U. S. warship is, of course, tho ship’s band which may number anywhere from a dozen to sixteen pieces and is made up'of men regularly enjisted as musicians. The bandsmen, perhaps because they devote their entire time to the musical vocation and have ample opportunity for practise are almost invariably skilled musicians and their ensemble work is excellent. Not only do they play on all festal occasions on shipboard and in the parades on shore but their music is also brought into requisition at times to hearten Jack for his work, notably on the occasion of the always arduous chore of “coaling ship.” While the bluejackets, hot and grimy, are hoisting the fuel aboard, the band is stationed on deck discoursing the liveliest airs to keep their spirits from flagging. The band also gives dally concerts or, board, sometimes several times a dfcy, but probably the one that is enjoyed most by the Jackies is tho recital at the noon hour for half an hour following tb.e nld-day meal. The selections are almost always of the most enlivening character, —waltzes and two steps,—and numbers of the boys dance on deck during this interim. Indeed, there is no more picturesque spectacle in tho routine of naval life than tint afforded by the tars in their •white duck uniforms circling round nnd round the cleared space on the forward deck, the smooth boards of which make an Ideal dancing floor. The bluejackets have their own mu-

sic quite aside from that contributed by the band. As might be expected a floating community of from 500 to 1,000 men includes many musicians and they are seldom loath to display their accomplishments for the benefit of their shipmates. Among the boys, banjos, guitars and mandolins are the favorite instruments but there are a number of violins and other Instruments. On some ships the boys have formed glee clubs, whose songs, usually specially composed, are a distinct aid to the program at the minstrel shows and other entertainments held on shipboard from time to time. After all, however, the greatest enthusiasm aroused by any form of music on shipboard Is that evoked by the comparatively new mediums, the phonograph and the player piano. There is scarcely a ship in Uncle Sam’s navy that has not its talking machine and player piano and sometimes there are several of the instru-

nients on one vessel. The seamen, and the officers as well seem to never tire of the concerts made possible by these inventions and they have gone far, in conjunction with moving pictures, to relieve the monotony that was once a disadvantage of life in the navy.

The money to purchase the talking machines and. pianos Is raised by subscription or assessment of the ship’s company and Jack, with proverbial prodigality always insists upon .the best instrument obtainable regardless of price. In similar manner funds are raised for the purchase at regular intervals of new supplies of phonograph records and player piano rolls but ofttimes the bluejackets will make individual purchases on their own hook and donate the new acquisitions to the ship. Especially is this the case with phonograph records and the haste manifested by the boys embraces everything from grand opera by world famous singers to the latest topical songs by vaudeville favorites. The ships of the navy also have an “exchange” system whereby records and rolls, alike to moving picture films, are exchanged In order to give the men on each vessel the widest possible variety.