SOUSA PLAYS THE 'CACHUCA'.

Evening Star, Issue 14631, 29 July 1911, Page 4

SOUSA PLAYS THE 'CACHUCA'.

THE STORY OF AN EXTEMPORISED EFFORT. “I can hardly credit the oft-repeated elory,” says the genial John Philip, of the U.S.A.. “that Genera! Grant, knew only two tunes, one of which was ' Yankee Doodle’ and the other wasn't. I have known more than one President, relieved from the ouorous duties of a great reception. to find rest by sitting quietly in the corner of a convenient room and listening to the music. During Chester A. Arthur’s administration, on the occasion of a State dinner, the President came to the door of the main lobby of the White House, and, beckoning me to his side, asked me to play the * Cachuca.’ When I explained that we hud not the music with us, but would be glad to include it on oar next programme, the President looked surprised, and said : ‘Why, Sousa, I thought you could play anything. I’m sure you can. Now gave us the ‘Cachuca.’ This placed me in a predicament, as I did not wish the President to believe that the band was not at all times able to respond to his wishes. Fortunately, on© of the bandsmen remembered tho melodv, and played it over softly to me on his comet. I hastily wrote out several parts for the leading instruments, and told the rest of the band to ‘vamp.’ Then we played the ‘ Cachuca ’ to the satisfaction of Mr Arthur, who came to the door and said; ‘I knew you could play it.’” If this number is called for during Sousa’s Dunedin season, beginning at the Garrison Hall on Tuesday next, it is probable that he will bo able to respond with a fullyorchestrated rendition by his famous band, which numbers over 60 magnificent instrumentalists, selected from tho finest musicians of Europe and America.