Cerro Gordo County Iowa
Part of the IaGenWeb Project
Tuesday, June 22, 1937Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
The Globe Gazette
The Hampton school band, directed by F. O. Griffen, will be among the musical organizations to participate in the music festival here June 22. The Hampton musicians will give the opening concert at the Roosevelt stadium at 7:30 o'clock in the evening Tuesday. The members of the Hampton school band pictured above are as follows: Left to right - front row: Charles Harrison, Louis Anderson, Helen Davis, Virginia Foughty, Dorothy McGoon, Paul Beckman, Marven Kaberle, Lynn Baldwin, Herbert Beckman Jr., Dale Guldberg, James Baehmler, Ted Bredt, Charles Price, Laura Jane Keefe, Walter Stacy, Ward Saylor. Second row: Robert Schaefer, Dean Artley, William Kratz, Donald Douglass, Dallas Harrison Jr., Velma Eitel, Raymond Kreiner, Margaret Lou Thomas, Catherine Hutchins, Geraldine Murphy, Alice May Rankin, Cheda Eitel, Kathryn Klousia, Supt. A. E. Rankin. Third row: F. O. Griffen, director, Lloyd Waddingham, William Shafer, Benjamin Briant, Barbara Saley, Gordon Gray, Jean Riddle, Dwight McGoon, Bernadine Murphy, Patricia Miller, Joyce Beckman, John Allen, Robert Stacy, Vernon Koelling. Fourth row: Ronald Folkers, Jacquelyn Howell, Aron Laipple, Max Foughty, Russell Harrison, Merle Johnson, Richard Liebendorfer, Butler Eitel, Gene Eitel, Harold Klousia, Gwendolyn Thomas, Jerome Scheckle. Top row: Robert Bryan, Howard Barger, Frances Santer, Gerald Lukensmeyer.
The Globe Gazette
Members of the Riceville high school band shown above are, left to right: First Row - Bob Volbrecht, Weston Noble, May Peters, Helen Henderson, Gurada Strunk, Leone Noble, Dorothy Wilkes, Eunice Weber, Douglas Walker, Pauline Conger, Mary Benson, Betty Bathes, Winifred Mohr, Harold Hughes, Bob Hinzman and Les Yager. Second Row - Bernard Hughes, Mildred Wallace, Marcella Gilles, Margaret Uram, Maxine Mosher, Lois Ceyler, Doris Swancutt, Warren Ceyler, Orville Severson, Bill McKibben, Reva Hewitt, Everette Garett, Don Cox and Bill Swancutt. Third Row - Doris Viebrock, Edward Burke, John Miles, Hazel Swancutt, Walt Affelt, Luther Severson, Owen Sigler, Fran Hughes, Leonard Noble and Art Wallace.
Held Their First Rehearsal on Dec. 31, 1935, as Beginners.
Riceville high school's band had its first rehearsal Dec. 31, 1935 under the director of Bruce Lybarger of Osage. A majority of the members at that time were beginners and had never played a single note until the day of the first rehearsal. Mr. Lybarger spent one day each week working with the group and after eight practices gave the first public concert which turned out to be a great success and aroused much public interest. At that time, the direction of the band was taken over by Lester R. Yager of Riceville, who has remained continuously in charge. Under Mr. Yager's direction, the group has continued its initial progress and twice has made excellent records in the state series of the Iowa High School Musical association. Throughout the summer, weekly concerts are given on the local school groups, always with an enthusiastic audience in attendance. These summer concerts are financed by their local businessmen. The uniforms were procured by the efforts of the Music Mothers' club, a school organization made up of the mothers of those children participating in the musical activities of Riceville high school.
The Globe Gazette
Above is pictured the Hanlontown band, which is to participate in the music festival in Mason City. An outstanding record in membership was attained this year in Hanlontown high school. Half of the enrollment above the seventh grade played in the contest band which was awarded a superior rating in the sub-district music contest which was held at Britt and an excellent rating at the district contest at Nevada. During the summer months several townspeople of Hanlontown and Fertile join the band in presenting weekly concerts in the Hanlontown park. The band is directed by M. W. Seipp.
SECOND ANNUAL EVENT TUESDAY IN MASON CITY Parade of Floats and Bands and Massed Concert at Stadium Features. The festival will be featured by concerts at Central park, the Music hall and Central school grounds, a parade of floats and bands through the Mason City business section at 11 o'clock and an evening program at the stadium which will include a grade finale by the massed bands. The parade, which will form at the Hotel Hanford, will proceed down Federal avenue to Fifth street and South Federal. From there it will turn east to Delaware avenue and north to the federal building in close proximity to the Lincoln school, which will be the headquarters for the visiting bands.
A luncheon will be held at 12:30 o'clock at noon for visiting band leaders. Special guest of the day will be O. E. Van Doren, director of the University of Iowa band, who will direct part of the massed band concert at the stadium. Floats that will participate in the parade together with the musical units will be sponsored by civic groups and lodges. D. G. Klempnauer is general chairman of the committee in charge of the festival project, which is sponsored by the conventions committee of the Chamber of Commerce. Boy Stoyles heads the parade committee; C. A. Parker, the financial committee; John Vance, the invitation to bands committee; and W. L. Nichols, the general arrangements committee. All band members will receive complimentary tickets entitling them to a noon luncheon, the privileges of the showers and pools of the Y. M.C.A. and Y. W. C. A. and admission to local theaters at a nominal fee. All events are free to the public. All funds needed to defray expenses have been raised by business houses.
KGLO Receives Messages Praising City for Band Festival.
While arranging KGLO's programs with the Columbia web for its opening program on the network June 27, Mr. Eighmey had the opportunity to meet many of the country's best known musicians, and in the course of conversation with them, mentioned the North Iowa festival. Following are the messages of each conductor: "Best of luck and success for your community band festival. Wish my band and I could be there to join in the festivities and fun. Regards." - Victor Arden. "My cordial congratulations to you and the fine work you and your community are doing in fostering the local band talent in your area. Band festivals such as you are sponsoring are a source of great benefit to the musicians themselves and to the public." - Hal Kemp. "Mason City community band festival is attracting widespread interest among musicians. It should be a grand occasion. I wish to express my admiration for the musical step forward your community is taking." -- Al Goodman, "Beauty Box Theater" director. "As an old time trumpeter, let me give a blast of praise to Mason City on the occasion of its band festival June 22." - B. A. Rolfe, director "Magazine of the Air" orchestra. "Congratulations to your community on your great band festival. I consider it a unique American institution and believe it to be a definite step forward for music in your section of the country. Needless to say, I wish I could be with you." - Russ Morgan, director of "Johnny Presents" orchestra. "Mason City is to be congratulated on its band festival. It is events of this type that foster greater knowledge and love for music." - Don Voorhees, "Cavalcade of America" director. "Congratulations on the great work your community is doing in fostering the musical talent of your area. Such band festivals as you are sponsoring promote real appreciation of music." - Andre Kostelnetz. "My heartiest congratulations on the great work of the Mason City community in promoting music appreciation through your band festival. It is such things that build a real love of music among the people." - Ferde Grofe.
Parade at 11 A. M. and Big Concert by Massed Bands in Evening.
The Chamber of Commerce announced Monday it had received word from both H. L. Lidstrom, director of the Osage band, and Emery D. Stewart, head of the Titonka players, that their organizations wished to participate in the event, which at this stage bids fair to become one of the largest festivals of its kind held in this section. The two additional bands brought the total number of the band and drum corps personnel close to the 1,400 mark. The aggregation of musical organizations will be made up of 27 bands and two drum and bugle corps from outside the city and three Mason City groups, the municipal band, the high school band and the Legion junior drum and bugle corps. The strains of martial band music will be heard throughout the day at Central park, the Music hall and the Central school groups. Highlights of the day will be the parade of bands and floats through the business section of the city at 11 o'clock and the concert of massed bands at the stadium in the evening. Forming at the Hotel Hanford, the parade will proceed down Federal avenue to Fifth street and South Federal. From there it will turn east to Delaware avenue and north to the postoffice. The evening program at the Roosevelt stadium will start at 7:30 o'clock with a concert by the Hampton school band, winners of division one honors at the Iowa state contest. At 8 o'clock there will take place the grand entry of visiting bands, drum corps and floats, after which the Mason City municipal band will play a concert. Nest on the program will be an exhibition drill by the Eldora training school band, marching champions of Iowa, under the direction of I. A. Lowell. The massed bands will then present the following numbers in the grand finale: "Military Escort," Fillmore; "Officer of the Day," Hall, and "El Capitan," Sousa. All events are free to the public as funds to defray the expenses of the festival have been raised by business houses.
Above are shown the members of the Rudd school band, which will participate in the North Iowa band festival Tuesday. The organization is directed by Darwin T. Maurer, graduate of Iowa State Teachers college in June, 1936. Back row - Marle Roberts, Dorothy Brandau, Beulah LaCoste, Florice Pueschel, Louise Kelsey, Henry Fleselmann and Arlene Muller. Third row - Clyde Burnett, Leonore Stalker, Lois Stalker, Joyce Witzel, Jean Shanks, Jane Hofler, Vera Ryner, Phyllis Watschke, Arlee Stiles, Milly Jean Cords and Mr. Maurer. Second row - Lloyd Bornstein, Rodney Stalker, Norma Helmers, Bernice Brandau, Katleen Kerlin, Phyllis Woodworth, Phyllis Brandau, Fern Young, Leila Hofler, Elaine Stoner, Rose Marie Edie, Lucile Wallbaum and Lois Apel. Front row - Ward Hofler, Paul Schwizer, Nelva Shans, Paul Moeller, Betty Lou Edie, Richard Messler, Audrey Stalker, Lola Stalker, Margaret Anderson and June Roberts. Other members of the band who are not in the above picture are: Robert Johnson, Harold Ehlebrecht, Robert Helmers, Aloys Pueschel, Myron Anderson, Thalia Watschke, Luella Stalker and Clair Blunt.
Thousands who lined Mason City streets received thrill after thrill as band after band passed in review at the spectacular parade of the North Iowa band festival Tuesday. The Buffalo Center band is in the foreground, followed by the Clear Lake band and Girl Scouts' float, with the Dumont band in the distance. (Lock photo, Kayenay engraving)
____________________________ PARADE ONE OF HIGH SPOTS OF ANNUAL EVENT Concluding Event of Day to Be Roosevelt Stadium Program.
The parade was one of the highlights of the varied events in the band festival, in which 32 musical groups participated. Concerts all day in Central park, broadcasts ever KGLO, a bandmasters' luncheon, special exhibition in Central school grounds were other features. Concluding the spectacular pageantry of music is the free program Tuesday evening in Roosevelt stadium, beginning at 7:30 o'clock with a concert by the Hampton high band. This will be followed at 8 o'clock by a grand entry of visiting bands, drum corps and floats. Then the Mason City municipal band will give a concert following by a marching drill by the Iowa Training school band of Eldora. All of the musicians will then join for three massed numbers. Heading the parade were a highway patrolman and policeman, both on motorcycles, followed by the police car. In the float of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, which sponsored the parade, was depicted the world, with the phrase, "All The World Likes A Band." Next came the Mason City Junior drum corps, led by two flashy drum majors. The Boy Scouts had the next entry, Boy Scouts also preceded each band, carrying signs to identify the units. After the Girl Scouts' float was the fine Dumont band. The crack Eldora training school band, receiving much applause, presented special maneuvers on the march. McCormick Deering's KGLO revelers with Farmer Bill were the next unit, followed, of course, by Martha, the cow. The Fonda band, which traveled the farthest distance of any band, was preceded by two trumpeters. Next was the colorful Kiwanis club float, with Barbara Scott presiding as queen. The Garner Junior drum corps, a large colorful organization, provided unusual effects with four boys in the front row, striking snare drums with felt drum sticks. Preceding the American Red Cross entry were the American and Red Cross flags. The Hampton high school band, featured on the evening program, was next in line of march, followed by the Hanlontown band and the Y. M. C. A. After these were the Kensett and Klemme bands, followed by the Matinee Musicale float. The Alexander band, which had entered the festival only a short time before, paraded next. After the Riceville band was the Moose lodge float. Marching as a unit were the Lake Mills and Municipal bands, followed by the Manly band. The Rotary club had a float depicting huge sousaphones, reaching 15 feet into the air. The Mason City high school band, which received much applause, was followed by the Music Mothers' float. Then came the Nora Springs band and float by the Catholic Daughters of American. After the colorful Northwood band were the Sea Scouts, a bicycle brigade and one boy driving a small auto powered by a washing machine engine. The Rockwell and Rudd bands marched next, followed by the Vance Music company float, including a huge drum on which Ruth Buehler twirled a drum major's stick. After the Swaledale and Thompson bands, was the colorful Wa-Tan-Ye float. Heading the Clear Lake junior drum corps were 5 drum majors, including a tiny girl who received much applause. Bright colors were in the Woman's club float, with Mrs. Richard Romey depicted as wearing a huge hoop skirt. Two heralds wearing clef patterns preceded this float. A comparatively new organization, the Ventura band, received much applause, followed by the colorful West Union band. In the Y. M. C. A. entry were a number of decorated bicycles. Next came the colorful Osage band, with the fire truck concluding the parade. From all directions, the musicians poured into the decorated city during the morning. Some came in buses, some in private cars and some in trucks. The Iowa Training school band of Eldora included in its delegation a covered wagon trailer. The full day of concerts was launched by the Manly band, followed at half hour intervals in Central park by other bands. The Titonka band indicated it was unable to appear and its place in the day's program was quickly filled by the Alexander band under the direction of L. A. Miller. Planned for the glorification of North Iowa band music, which has long been recognized as outstanding, the festival included several new features this year. Broadcasts over KGLO and exhibitions in the Central school grounds were among these new events. A special luncheon for bandmasters was held at 12:30 o'clock in Hotel Hanford. As the day progressed, it was apparent that the visiting musicians were entering the spirit of the festival with enthusiasm. Large local committees were at work seeking to make their stay enjoyable. Headquarters were established in Lincoln school, with each band given space for storing of instruments and other equipment.
Sidelights Reported on North Iowa Band Festival.
C. F. Weaver, director of the Mason City Municipal band, presided at the meeting and called for an introduction of various directors. Carleton L. Stewart extended an invitation to the bandmasters to visit the music hall and pledged co-operation of the local facilities in assisting bands to develop balance, intonation and other musical fine points. Appreciation for the presence of bands in Mason City was expressed by Willis G. C. Bagley, president of the Chamber of Commerce. He expressed the hope that the bandmasters return. Four hand piano numbers on the piano were played by Ralph Geer and Lester Milligan.
Eldora Training school, one of the best bands in the country, was the tops in marching bands. Forward or backward - anyway that band was marching, all members were in step. In step to a man, it might be added, except the two guards bringing up the rear. Once serious error was hastily corrected Tuesday morning preceding the opening of the Mason City band festival. The American flags in the band shell in Central park were reversed until an eagle-eye caught the mistake. Early morning pedestrians on their way to work who noticed the street decorations flying bright might as well know who got up in the morning to do the little job. It was the Mason City fire department. The department rolled at 4 a. m. and started work. It took 2 hours and 40 minutes for the job. Miss Ruth Buehler, atop the "huge boom-boom-boom" for the Vances, succumbed to Dr. H. W. Morgan's request for action and swung into her paces when the float passed State street. "Director" Morgan was shooting a few thousand feet of movies in color. If the drum major is the show of the band, Clear Lake's drum corps may lay claim to Ziegfield's mantle. They had four drum majors parading at the same time, not on Broadway, to be sure, but the individual members couldn't have been prouder if spotlights had been turned on each. Pete Kanamitros brought a bus load of children from the Lehigh district to witness the parade. While waiting for the parade to move, the Swaledale and Rockwell bands played a number together. Both are directed by Karl Bohlen. Attracting much attention of players was the special display of gold plated instruments in the Vance company display windows. Such a collection, many agreed, could usually be seen only in Chicago. When "Marthy, the cow" tended to slow up the flow of the parade at State and Federal avenue, Chief Harold Wolfe asked a boy to go along and lend a hand. He suggested that they take the cow across to Delaware avenue on Second street instead of going down to Fifth street.
Gathered at Hotel Hanford for a luncheon, bandmasters attending the North Iowa band festival noted that interest in band music is increasing. This photo, snapped in the park across from the hotel, shows, from left to right: Sitting on grass - Willis G. C. Bagley, president of the Chamber of Commerce; Lester Milligan, secretary of the chamber; John Vance, local music store owner;
Those who occupied the Roosevelt stadium seats looked down at the scene shown above. It was regarded as a large and colorful spectacle.
Photographs courtesy of The Globe Gazette
|
© Copyright 1996-
Cerro Gordo Co. IAGenWeb Project
All rights Reserved.
[Page 8] Thirty musical organizations made up of more than 1,300 musicians will participate in the second annual band festival to be held in Mason City Tuesday.
Twenty-five bands and two drum and bugle corps are being brought to Mason City from surrounding communities to participate in the festival. These together with the Mason City high school band, the municipal band and the Clausen-Worden Legion junior drum and bugle corps raised the number of organizations to 30. More than 1,100 musicians will be from out of town.
[Page 16] F. C. Eighmey, manager of KGLO, in New York City last week in connection with the affiliation of the Mason City station with the Columbia Broadcasting system, has received several wires from noted musicians congratulating the community for its promotion of the North Iowa band festival Tuesday.
The entry of two additional bands, the Osage organization with 50 pieces and the Titonka group of 35 instruments, Monday brought the total number of units participating in Tuesday's music festival to 32.
Blaring bands and colorful floats paraded through Mason City Tuesday in the North Iowa band festival before a crowd estimated 10,000. The 1,400 players, in uniforms of many brilliant hues, their instruments glinting in the sunlight, were preceded by strutting drum majors in an unusually colorful vent.
Bandmasters who were here for the North Iowa band festival met Tuesday noon in Hotel Hanford for a luncheon and expressed enthusiasm for the festival. They pointed to increasing interest in music in general and said the festival provided a fine example of this interest.
Everybody loves a parade, but one of the most interested participants in the festival was Miriam Roder, member of the Dumont band. Miriam, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Roder, was recently in Warm Springs, Ga., for treatment of infantile paralysis. She viewed the parade from a wheel chair but plays with the group when it is in concert formation.