Although I have only been in the Army for three weeks, still in that short time I have been able to get some insight into the musicality of the men who make up the British Army; and few notes may be welcomed by those interested in music.
At present I am stationed in Norfolk, and attached to the 2/7th R. W. F. There are thousands of troops, belonging to all branches of the Army, stationed to all branches of the Army, stationed here, and when the day’s work is over the majority resort to the Y. M. C. A. huts to find some sort of recreation. When his duty for the day is done, there is nothing the soldier appreciates more than to have some music, and concerts are held nightly at the Y. M. C. A. huts.
There are many fine singers and players to be found in the camps. The soldiers always revel in the sentimental music-hall ditties and ballads, and join lustily in the choruses; but they evince a remarkable apprieciation for the higher class of music when they get the opportunity of hearing it. For example, no piece of music finds more popularity than the famous “Prelude in Military Service Act Minor of Rachmaninoff, and I was surprised, when playing it on the piano the other night, to hear so many humming the three-note motive of the first and last parts, which depicts the chiming of the big Moscow bells.
They always love the short pieces of Tschaikowsky and the haunting strains of Offenbach’s “Bacarolle.” Of course, the old Welsh airs still retain their popularity, and it makes oneself feel proud of being a son of Wales when one finds the appeal these immortal melodies make to the English soldiers.
“Till the Boys Come Home” is still sung, but its popularity seems to be waning. The strongest impression I have had for a long time was the hearing of “The Church’s one Foundation,” to Wesley’s magnificent tune, at a church service in Bedford, the soldiers singing in unison, and the organ filling in the harmonies.
Private A. H. J.
