Every candidate must have a high school education or its equivalent and must pass the tough mental and physical examinations when he enlists. If he passes these--and not everyone does--he goes up against stiff examinations of his aptitude in music and his training and experience in it. Then follows a period of basic training in a “boot” camp. After this comes the _real_ test, an eighteen months’ course of hard work in the United States Navy School of music in the Washington Navy Yard. He studies ear training, harmony, theory, music history, two instruments and band music--all of these added to the regular military discipline and drill. After this course is all completed these well-trained Navy musicians are sent in regular band units aboard battleships, cruisers and carriers. Eventually some fortunate bandsmen return to Washington to fill vacancies in the U. S. Navy Band. The whole idea of the Navy School of Music was planned and carried out by Lieutenant Benter during his leadership of the Navy Band. After almost twenty-five years in this service, Lieutenant Benter retired from his post January 1, 1942. He passed on his baton to Charles Brendler, the Assistant Band Leader, a member of the Navy Band since 1917. At this time the Navy School of Music was removed from the supervision of the U. S. Navy Band, and Lieutenant James M. Thurmand, Jr. was made director of it. When Commander Brendler took over the leadership of the U. S. Navy Band he began to work on his theory that the band should play all types of music for all kinds of people. He increased the organization to one hundred members, and he also formed a number of different units within it. Most of these players are accomplished symphony orchestra performers and a dozen or more are recognized soloists. The Navy Band contains a complete symphony orchestra; a modern “swingphonette” which plays equally well light opera or the latest “bebop”; and small groups for dances or concert programs. This versatile band has broadcast thousands of radio programs, of which the “Navy Hour” is the best known. Their summer evening concerts on Capitol Hill are attended by huge throngs of devoted listeners. Commander Brendler loves music and music-lovers, and wants his band, which he pronounces _the world’s finest_, to play for all America. Truly this _is_ a band for all the people. COMMANDER CHARLES BRENDLER _United States Navy Band_ Fifteen-year-old Charles Brendler, hugging his precious clarinet under his arm, without a word to his father, mother, or anyone, left home to join the United States Navy. He loved music more than anything in the world and was determined to give his whole time to it. Like many boys of his age, Charles had become fascinated by the Navy advertisements. He thought if he belonged to a band on a United States ship he would have nothing to do but practice and play.