Although devoted to music, Hugh was a good student and made outstanding records in his other, less showy studies. An all-round American boy, he was very fond of sports. No one ever dreamed of calling Hugh Curry a “sissy.” As a valuable member of the school’s baseball team and an ice hockey star, Hugh was extremely popular.
By the time he was ready to enter college Hugh Curry had won recognition as a professional musician in both vocal and instrumental fields. He enrolled at Boston University and his musical activities helped defray a large share of the expenses of his college education.
Curry was graduated from the University with a Bachelor of Music degree. Soon after his graduation, he married a college classmate, the former Kathleen Howard, prominent as a light opera singer. Curry began his professional career as an instructor in the U. S. Army School of Music. From the New York College of Music he was awarded the degree of Honorary Doctor of Music. He became increasingly active in Music Education and also achieved great success in light opera.
In 1941 Hugh Curry joined the United States Army. A thorough musician, a talented violinist and singer, as Chief Warrant Officer he was appointed Assistant Bandleader of the Army Band in North Africa. Curry worked with the Band all through the African-European tour to cheer and entertain the fighting men.
Captain Curry commented personally regarding this period. “While the United States Army Band was the only major service music organization to tour the combat area during World War II, it must be pointed out that such an experience and its unceasing companion, mental, physical, and spiritual discomforts seem glamorous to the men only in retrospect. The route of the Band through these areas was designed primarily to permit the organization to reach the maximum number of allied troops, and the needs of the Band were often sacrificed in order to bring our men a few moments of relaxation. In those hectic days of rapidly fluctuating battle lines, the Band, hampered by its necessary but unwieldy burden of instruments, was often exposed. Even in Antwerp, Belgium, an Army bandsman was wounded by a V-2 rocket bomb.”
When Bandleader Captain Darcy retired in September, 1945, he was succeeded by Captain Hugh Curry. A thorough reorganization was instituted. More new members were desired and applicants poured in from every part of the United States. All were carefully screened, not only in proficiency on their individual instruments, but also their adaptability to all types of music. Each was thoroughly tested, examined, auditioned and even his vocal ability was judged.
Finally Captain Curry enrolled more than one hundred of America’s finest bandsmen in the United States Army Band. They represent a large cross section of colleges, universities, symphony orchestras and many name dance bands, as well as almost every important American music school. Even the American Indian is represented by a full-blooded member of the Onondaga tribe. While at the very heart of the organization is a small and respected group of men remaining from the original “Pershing’s Own” Band.
Technicians, skilled arrangers and other necessary personnel have been added by Captain Curry to this perfectly balanced Army Band. Today, the United States Army Band under its handsome, dignified leader, is able to provide prompt and efficient response to the many demands laid upon it.
