158th Regimental Band

The Sounds of the 158th

The 158th Infantry Regimental Band was selected as the honor band during President Woodrow Wilson’s attendance at the Paris Peace Conference held at the conclusion of WW I While in France members of the band were instrumental in introducing Jazz Music to France. The museum secured copies of actual recordings made by the band in November 15th 1918 featuring four of the most popular of the tunes of the day. Following is a description by Musician Karl Goetz describing the Pathe Recording Studio in Paris used to record the four pieces. “ The studio was very interesting to all,” he wrote. “ Where the pieces were recorded, a room about 20 x25 feet, well lighted up, a pit with chairs mounted on small platforms so that the chairs were level with the floor above the pit. Recording machine was in front of Director. Drums were directly in front of machine which has a small horn attached to it. Next was piccolo, clarinets on each side, cornets, trombones, and bases in rear. The pieces were played over and recorded several times until the desired results were obtained. Stayed in the studio about four hours and then went back to the Y hotel” You can listen to the four pieces recorded at the Paris Pathe Studios almost 100 years ago by clicking on the Victrola record player on this page.


Foundered Mule March

While stationed with the 9th Cavalry at Fort Robinson, Nebraska in 1904. Band Master Carl S. Gungle needed to make a trip with his family to a neighboring town. Gungle secured permission from the Post Adjutant to borrow four mules with ambulance wagon and driver. Shortly after the trip began one of the mules became sick. Forcing the family to return to the fort. Upon reaching the fort the mule died. At the next post parade the band played a new march. Among the trumpets and other brasses was the unmistakable sound of a mule braying. After the review, the Post Commander asked the band Master when he got the new march and wondered, “ Didn’t I hear a mule’s bray in the chorus?” Gungle replied, “ Yes Sir, that’s my new composition, The Foundered Mule March.” Later, Band Master Gungle, and his band from the Fort Grant Industrial School, accompanied the Arizona National Guard to summer field training at Whipple Barracks outside Prescott, Arizona. His March was so well liked by the troops that it was adopted in 1913 as the 158th’s Regimental March. Since then it has been featured in every parade and ceremony involving units of Arizona’s National Guard.

The old Victrola

Please click the button below to listen to select tracks.

While overseas the band was led by First Lieutent Albert Ross Etzwiller. After the war Etswiller was band instructor at Phoenix Union High School and active in the Army Reserve. He passed away in Phoenix. In the process of fabricating the Regimental Band exhibit Curator of exhibits Lon Wolff was looking for a “ baton “ similar to the one used by band leader 1st Lt A.R. Etzwiler while in France during WW I. A visit to a garage sale turned up the type baton he was looking for. While examining the baton he was very surprised when he found what appeared to be initials on the bottom of the baton and more surprised when after a closer inspection the initials turned out to be A.R.E. The baton has been originally purchased at an estate sale in Phoenix. Since bandleader Etzwiler passed away in Phoenix it is entirely possible the baton displayed in the band exhibit belonged to the former bandleader and may have been used while leading the regimental band in France.

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