The Royal Artillery Band

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 10, 15 September 1933, Page 11

The Royal Artillery Band,

Woolwich, is Oldest in England

In the front rank of ‘the world’s military bands the band of the Royal Artillery, Woolwich, stands supreme. Oldest and largest in the whole British army, it is also the senior permanent nvusical organisation in Great Britain, being formed exactly fifty years before the London Philharmonic Society. Near the close of the seven years war, in 1762. eight men were attested under certain conditions. The articles of agreement covered the following rules. The original octet had tobe capable players on the violoncello, bass, violin, flute and other "common instruments." "The regiment’s musick" must consist of two trumpets, two French horns, two bassoons and four hautbois or clarinets. The musicians were: regarded as actual soldiers under discipline and were clothed by the regiment. Whilst the artillery remained in ‘Germany their pay was ten dollars a month, out of which they bought their bread, On arrival in England each musician was to have @ shilling a day, the two French horns 14d. a day. Fivepence farthing a month was to be allowed out.of a bandsman's pay during such time as he was sick and attended by the regimental surgeon. Musicians found not to be good performers on their arrival risked discharge. at their own expense. This was meant to make the *person who engaged the musicians careful in his choice. ¢ The frst oficial bandmaster was Frederick Wiele (1777-1802), an. ‘ eacellent musician capable of making his own military band arrangemenis, in addition to scoring for a string band, He was succeeded by ‘@. Schnuphass (1802-1810) who, in turn, was succeeded, by George Mackenzie, the first Briton to receive the appointment of army bandmaster. Mackenzie joined the band in.1795, and retired from the control of it in 1845, completing half a century’s service, and leaving behind him a magnificent team of fifty musicians. William Collins, principal violin and leading clarinet, was the next bandmaster, who reigned for nine years. being succeeded by James Smyth. The band numbered seventy-one performers by the time he retired in 1881. A naturalised British subject, Cavaliere Ladistao Zavertal, former!) conductor of the Glasgow Musical Society, was next appointed. bandmaster. Here was a man who was without doubt, the most gificd musician the British service ever possessed. This one time Italian opera composer placed the R.A. Orchestra on the same level as the Queen's Hall and London Symphony Orchestras.. On his retirement in 1906, he was succeeded by Captain Edward O. Stretton, who commenced his musical career under Zavertal in the R.A. band in 1886. That the plum of service musical circles should fall to such a fine organiser and able conductor will be readily.understood by any New Zealanders fortunate enough to have heard the band on its visit to this country in 1918. This premicr military band and orchestra, with its membership of ninety-five ~eopert musicians, is in constant demand for state functions and Qourt balls. . : .