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The premier performance at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
    The premier performance of the Royal Air Force Band and Symphony Orchestra December 18 at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. introduced a long awaited English accent in music.
   The 108 musicians under the direction of Wing Comander R.P.O'Donnell gave its initial concert before an extremely receptive audience of ranking State and Military officials.
   Although it is impossible for this organizations' talent to be brought to the ears of all of the people in this country, a tour of 27 cities in the interest of war bond sales will be conducted. Through arrangements by General H.H.Arnold, the United States Army Air Forces Band is touring England at the same time the Royal Air Force Band is giving its talent throughout the United States.
   Of the first performance in Washington, Glenn Dillard Gunn, noted music critic wrote, "one was impressed with the tone quality of the military elements in this ensemble. No band achieves a smoother sonority. It was subdued to concert diminsions and executed all expressive inflections with refinement. The string group practiced the same virtues of subtle nuance and musicianly restraint, so that the evening became one long and delightful adventure in a world of tonal beauty"
   "Commander O'Donnell lingered with his fellow celts long enough to bring Sir Arthur Sullivan's Overture di Ballo to what is believed to have been a long-delayed premiere here. This also is admirable music of its kind, light gracious and charming, and again the performance was impeccable. The program remained British for the entirely characteristic excerpts from Eric Coates' Suite, "London Every Day," paid tribute to Russia with two movements from Tschaikowsky's Serenade for strings, and closed its first half with Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" March, No.4, which is quite unknown here and eminently worth while."
   Under the direction of Major Alf Heiberg, supervising director of all AAF Bands, the R.A.F. Band executed a courtesy gesture by playing our own Army Air Forces March.
   The program of much unfamiliar material to music lovers is a treat to the listener and even though unfamiliarity is evedient in the orchestrations, it tends familiarity and understanding through melody, of our English speaking ally.
from the Scrapbook

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