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Musical Merchandise Section oi The Music Trade Review
Phillips Boys' Bands Build Character
Dealers Urged to Hook
Up With Sousa Broadcast
(Continued from page 67)
their fellows after a well-conducted trial.
If a lad commits a serious infraction of the
regulations or is unruly beyond the limit, he
is court-martialed according to Army regula-
tions. The commander-in-chief, Mr. Phillips, or
the captain, Mr. Bennett, acts as president of
the court. A jury of band boys decides the
guilt or innocence, and the defendant may have
his parent or a lawyer act as defense counsel.
The proceedings are held before the entire
band. This method makes a discharge nothing
short of disgrace, hence discipline is good.
Boys whose parents are willing are given
regular target practice, also, under proper
supervision; however, no boy is allowed to
handle a gun in any way without explicit per-
mission from his parents.
The band is made up of boys from the best
homes and from the poorer homes. The under-
privileged lad is as welcome as the million-
aire's son.
The indigent boy's expenses are taken care
of by the fund secured from the annual con-
cert and entertainment. Mr. Phillips himself
loans such boys their instruments. In fact, he
has about $2,000 tied up in this way. Another
$1,000 is in uniforms which remain the bands'
property.
The boys are required to buy their own in-
struments, with the exception of the very poor
boy. The total capital investment in instru-
ments for the 140 boys, including the bands'
own instruments, is about $12,000.
Operating expenses are about $200 a month.
This is met by Mr. Phillips himself. This
represents the musical director's and the execu-
tive secretary's salary. The latter, of course,
puts in a large portion of his time as a sales-
man.
The music work is under the direction of Rei
Christopher, who at one time was with Sousa.
Mr. Christopher led his boys to the first prize
for the best band at the recent Colorado State
/air. The cup was donated by Walter A.
French, prominent Kansas City, Mo., musician,
who is band teacher in leading high schools
there.
The average boy is ready for less intricate
concert work after about six months. As yet
no boy who has entered the bands has failed
to be able to play with them. This certainly
speaks well for the boys as well as Mr. Chris-
topher's leadership.
Parents have manifested a splendid interest
in the work by organization of a parents' auxil-
iary, which works closely with the band leaders
in making better boys. "It is a great pleasure,"
said Mr. Bennett, "to observe the appreciation
shown by the mothers and fathers of our boys.
They are so happy that we are giving their
little fellows a big lift along life's path, that
they are willing to do anything we ask to make
our bands more perfect."
At first some parents object to paying so
much money for an instrument, but after the
boy gets started the objection is forgotten
quickly, and parents find it a source of pleasure
to come in and make their payments. When
Junior struts down the street in his natty uni-
form, playing the saxophone, which is almost
as big as he is, to a perfection, Dad's vest but-
tons need careful checking.
Mr. Phillips not only believes he is building
good citizens for the future, but he also be-
lieves he is building up the future business for
his store. "These boys will have their own
homes in a few years, and they will be buying
pianos, band instruments, phonographs and
records and radios, and who is going to seil
them these things? There will at least be a
soft spot in their hearts for the D. Z. Phillips
Music Co.," said Mr. Phillips.
The nominal age limits, as has been said, are
ten and sixteen, but if a lad wants to stay after
71
he is past sixteen, he is welcome to do so. Some
few have left, but most of the older boys want
to stay.
The name, "Crusaders," was added to the
organization's title, because these boys are
crusaders. They are leading and showing the
way to clean, wholesome lives, and fine musi-
cal accomplishments. Like the knights of old,
they are following their king to victory with
steady hands, cool heads, and faithful hearts.
And their king, Mr. Phillips, what of him?
He is crusading in better boys and better busi-
ness and is succeeding in his efforts in both
directions.
In connection with the weekly broadcast pro-
gram by Sousa and his band over the NBC net-
work, and under the auspices of the General
Motors Corp., C. G. Conn, Ltd., have sent tele-
grams to their dealers urging that the latter
listen in on the programs which are presented
each Monday night at 9.30 p. m. Eastern Stand-
ard Time.
All the Conn dealers have also been sup-
plied with copies of the letter sent by Mr. Sousa
to the Conn company stating that his band has
used Conn instruments for over twoscore years
and that all the bandsmen are enthusiastic
regarding their qualities.
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