Military Music Institute. The article ‘Nynější stav hudby v Čechách vůbec a v Praze zvlášť’ [The present state of music in Bohemia in general and in Prague especially], Lumír 15/10/1857, p.1001 published brief information about the military musical school, the practical wing of the Society for the Advancement of Military Music [Jednota k zvelebení hudby vojenské]. This ‘newest musical institute... [was] founded in 1844 [it actually began life in 1850 - see below] with the purpose of educating musicians for the Austrian military bands,. The director of the institute is Pavlis, who teaches pupils on the Flügelhorn [na křídlatci], trombone and euphonium.’ Pupils accepted into the institute who demonstrated an aptitude for their instrument were engaged into military service for up to 17 years. New pupils began their course at the end of September.

The Military Music Institute and its parent society was actually founded and directed by Fr. Svoboda from 1850. News of its creation was first published by Prager Zeitung 24/11/1850, which reported that Swoboda [Svoboda] intended to establish a ‘society for training in military music’ that would provide tuition and a grounding in composition for such musicians. He had, according to the report, applied to be released from his position of Kapellmeister with the First Field-Artillery Regiment in order to pursue the undertaking. Fuller details of the purpose of the school and its aim to train prospective military music Kapellmeisters in their particular field of musical art (especially in orchestration and composition), was published by the newspaper Bohemia 29/11/1850. This stressed how prior to the institute such specialist musicians could not easily gain the specific skills that they required. Two weeks later Bohemia 8/12/1850 published a notice announcing that between 10th December 1850 and 1st January 1851 prospective candidates for becoming military-Kapellmeisters could visit Swoboda [Svoboda] the director of the Institute to seek admission to the school, daily between 9 and 11am and from 2 until 5pm. The first concert event produced by the Institute took place on 15/3/1851. The first patron of the Institute was reported by Bohemia 25/3/1851 as Count Christian Waldstein, and that summer season concerts would be given by the body in the Waldstein gardens.

Mercy’s Anzeiger 27/9/1854 reported that ‘The Military Music Institute introduces on 1st November the taught course in military music instrumentation and orchestration.’ Candidates for the course could attend an examination of their knowledge of harmony daily from 12-2pm with the Director of the Society [for the Advancement of Military Music in Bohemia], Mr F.W. Swoboda at Nr.311 Charles Square.

In relating moves to found a new military music ensemble in Prague, Der Tagesbote 1/7/1854 reported that the office of the Military Music Institute was located in 311-2 Karlsplatz [Karlovo náměstí] in the New Town [Nové město]. On 27/9/1854 the newspaper also reported that the Institute’s course in ‘Military music instrumentation and orchestration  would begin on 1st November and that prospective candidates should apply to the offices daily between 12noon and 2pm. Their knowledge of harmony would be tested by the Director, Swoboda [Svoboda].’

New pupils admitted to the school seem to have come from both military and civilian backgrounds. Tagesbote aus Böhmen 20/1/1857 related in reference to the start of a new course of teaching of solo wind players (on 12th January 1857), that pupils came from both civil and regimental musical ensembles. Graduating pupils were usually enrolled into the military, although during the late 1850s civilian pupils were increasingly admitted. Tagesbote aus Böhmen 26/10/1857 reported upon the annual general meeting of the Society that took place on 25/10/1857. The report related how Pavlis had changed the focus of the Institute to producing excellent solo wind players. In this year it was noted that the School had accepted 28 new pupils, 18 of whom came from military regiments. Income for the year amounted to 700fl 10kr, outgoings 538fl 17kr, a surplus of 161fl 53kr. Committee members were listed as Count Pachta, Dr Worowka [Vorovka], Dr Jungmann, the banker Kuchinka, the dentist Blau, the merchant Lucker.

As noted by a report appearing in Prager Morgenpost 13/9/1863 relating that the new school year was about to begin at the Insitute, the time that pupils spent on the course was included in their years of service. They were also paid during that time too. The source also described the pupils as of the ‘Society for Education in Military Music [Verein zur Ausbildung in der Militärmusik].’

Prager Morgenpost 11/12/1863 reported on the annual meeting of the Society: ‘The Verein for Education in Military Music has published its annual report, the Institute numbering 16 honorary and 628 participating members. Besides that subscribed to the Society were 18 Infantry, 2 Grenadier and 2 Cavalir regiments and a mounted batallion, which rendered the year’s profit for 1863 from 42 to 84fl. During 7 years of its existence the Society has produced 154 musically educated pupils for military music ensembles. Through its teaching the Society produces proficient Kapellmeister instrumentalists for regiments. This year 35 pupils were earmarked [for this], of which 9 at the close of the school year completed their education, 6 were employable as wind-players owing to [their being of] lesser talent, and 20 were destined to [continue into] the next school year.’ The report then noted how the Institute had difficultly gaining pupils due to restrictions of age and other factors.