Response to Band Petition
Title
Response to Band Petition
Description
1922: Colonel Mitchell's letter to the executive dean regarding the petition for a concert band independent of the military department.
Creator
Colonel Americus Mitchell
Source
University of Nebraska, University Archives and Special Collections, Acc#949, 24/12/07/04 B2
Date
1922, Jan. 26
Text
January 26, 1922.
From: Professor of Military Science and Tactics.
To: The Executive Dean.
Subject: Petition for formation of a “University Concert Band”.
With reference to the petition for the formation of a second band in the University, the petition being undated but presumably presented to the authorities during the first semester, I submit, upon your request, the following remarks, which are believed to be pertinent:
1. The statement therein with reference to the “policy of the Military Department” is wholly erroneous. Applicants for the band are pronounced “fit” by the Director, Mr. Quick, before they are accepted in the band, and within the past few days, several applicants have been refused at this office, being told that there was a sufficient number of men at present in the band.
2. Attention is invited to the slurring statement therein with reference to the underclassmen where it is stated that xxx “and also by a few underclassmen who register for band to avoid military drill and who have little real interest in the band other than that”. This attempt to cast a slur upon the motives of these underclassmen is uncalled for, to say the least.
3. The withdrawal from the band of the upperclassmen signing this petition, while it will injure, to a certain extent, the ability of the band to give concerts, will, it I believed affect but for a very short time its ability to play “march music”, and will certainly not adversely affect its discipline.
4. With reference to par. VI of the petition, if a new band be formed, it is not believed that it should be allowed to take unto itself all of the “privileges and practices now enjoyed by the Cadet Band, such as foot-ball trips, Spring trips and other University functions or public appearances non-military in nature”. It is believed that appearances at such functions might well be divided between the two bands, as the proper University authorities may direct, and also that at such functions as foot-ball games, etc., both bands might well play. If two bands exist, it is thought that a certain amount of friendly competition would increase rather than diminish the efficiency of both.
From: Professor of Military Science and Tactics.
To: The Executive Dean.
Subject: Petition for formation of a “University Concert Band”.
With reference to the petition for the formation of a second band in the University, the petition being undated but presumably presented to the authorities during the first semester, I submit, upon your request, the following remarks, which are believed to be pertinent:
1. The statement therein with reference to the “policy of the Military Department” is wholly erroneous. Applicants for the band are pronounced “fit” by the Director, Mr. Quick, before they are accepted in the band, and within the past few days, several applicants have been refused at this office, being told that there was a sufficient number of men at present in the band.
2. Attention is invited to the slurring statement therein with reference to the underclassmen where it is stated that xxx “and also by a few underclassmen who register for band to avoid military drill and who have little real interest in the band other than that”. This attempt to cast a slur upon the motives of these underclassmen is uncalled for, to say the least.
3. The withdrawal from the band of the upperclassmen signing this petition, while it will injure, to a certain extent, the ability of the band to give concerts, will, it I believed affect but for a very short time its ability to play “march music”, and will certainly not adversely affect its discipline.
4. With reference to par. VI of the petition, if a new band be formed, it is not believed that it should be allowed to take unto itself all of the “privileges and practices now enjoyed by the Cadet Band, such as foot-ball trips, Spring trips and other University functions or public appearances non-military in nature”. It is believed that appearances at such functions might well be divided between the two bands, as the proper University authorities may direct, and also that at such functions as foot-ball games, etc., both bands might well play. If two bands exist, it is thought that a certain amount of friendly competition would increase rather than diminish the efficiency of both.
