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THE RENAISSANCE. |
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In 1870 two more "staff" bands were raised, the Royal Horse Artillery (under J. A. Browne), which was merged in the Royal Artillery Mounted Band in 1878, and the Royal Marine Artillery, under John Winter-bottom.
The Military School of Music must also be allowed its share in the development of military music during the renaissance. For whatever may be said against the early bandmasters from the school, there can be no question of the work which this institution did in the training of the bandsmen. When it opened its doors on March 3, 1857, a staff of only four professors, including the director of music, then called the "resident instructor," was employed. At first the school gave little promise of success. The most serious trouble which beset the school was the meagre support afforded it. Regiments were free to subscribe toward" its maintenance, or not, as they thought fit. And, of course, there were many regiments who had no desire to avail themselves of Kneller Hall, preferring the old style of civilian bandmaster and training their own bandsmen. Even in later years, when compelled to have a Kneller Hall bandmaster, some regiments employed civilian "conductors." Another set-back was caused by the appointment of Schallehn as director of the school, who, we are told, had "no exceptional ability." After two years in office, he was dismissed.
Despite the ill-luck which attended the school at the outset, there happened to be at the head of affairs a very ardent musician, Lieut.-Col. F. L. Whitmore, who |
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