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Next Concert Begins in:
"The Grand Finale"
Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at 8:00 PM
William Kelly Bandstand in South Park
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History of the Band - 1854 through 1910
At best, it was a frightening thought to talk, plan and finally make the decision to come to the Kansas territory in the 1850's. No doubt the travelers were told they were foolhardy to move into such uncharted paths. What should be taken on such a journey? Everyone knew it would be difficult and only the most necessary and important items could be taken. The pragmatist would have left his horn at the family home on the east coast, but these people were planning beyond the journey and something of less value could be left behind... the horn was coming to Kansas. There were l25 people meeting in Boston under the sponsorship of the Emigrant Aid Society and the musicians with their horns must have each made very personal decisions as to what they were going to take with them.
Thinking others would not understand the love they felt for their horn and the music that could be produced, it is doubtful it was discussed with anyone. Imagine how surprised Frank Savage was to learn on the day of departure that he, his brother and two cousins were each traveling to Kansas and surprise of surprises, each carried his musical instrument. Thus two cornets, a fife and a bugle have the distinction of being the first band to start the trek to the new territory. Different accounts of this particular departure state as many as eight musicians were in this first band. Perhaps after seeing the original four, others decided to do the same. John Greenleaf Whittier, a friend of the Savage family, had written a poem, "The Kansas Emigrant", in honor of these brave pioneers and had printed the poem on cards to distribute to the people at the train station. Enthusiasm reigned. One of the small bands of musicians discovered the words fit the melody of "Auld Lang Syne" and Frank Savage, the accepted conductor of the group, struck up the tune for all to sing. And sing they did, all the verses, not just once, but many times. The conductor held up the train while the people finished the song for the last time and the "band" was the last to board the train for the New Land. It was a long difficult trip but made easier by the strains of familiar songs played by the band. Songs like "Annie Laurie," "Oft in the Stilly Night" and, of course, "Auld Lang Syne" with the words of "The Kansas Emigrant". Tempers flared, tiredness and discomfort the rule of the day; but when the horns were raised and the sounds drifted through the train and over the water or plains, hearts were made lighter and the people felt better about the days to come. By l860, life was more or less routine, at least insofar as pioneer days were concerned. The labor was always difficult, the dangerous ruffians who roamed the prairies had to be guarded against, illness was always a problem, loneliness and discomfort was always present. In the midst of this busy survival schedule, the band was called upon for special events...weddings, funerals, gatherings of all kinds. Sometimes the musicians just gathered to practice and the neighbors would sit on their porches or on the lawn to listen. No where is it stated whether this early band had brought music or whether they played the melodies known to the people by ear. It was probably a combination of both. The Kansas Conference of the Methodist Church was held in Lawrence that year and the Methodist Sunday School arranged for a concert by the band. It must have been a success for Gov. Charles Robinson was so moved and amazed at what could be done with their battered old instruments, he started a campaign to raise money for new instruments. People gave freely, the new instruments were purchased, delivered and the band practiced diligently from a score in order to present the first concert with their new instruments on August 20, 1863. They gave their concert down by the bridge with everyone having a fine time listening to the music, visiting with neighbors and friends, laughter, singing, dancing...a good time was had by all. The next day came Quantrill's Raid...three musicians were killed , others injured and the whole of Lawrence was, in practical terms, destroyed physically, mentally and emotionally. Joseph Savage had survived the raid and was riding to his farm north of Lawrence when he saw upon a fence post one of the horns belonging to the band. The marauders had found it in one of the homes and for some reason took it along as they left Lawrence, probably not wanting to carry it any farther. The horn was bent and slammed on to the post for all to see. The horn is now on exhibit at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka, Kansas. It was at least a year before the bandsmen were ready to pick up their instruments and again bring forth the melodies enjoyed by the people. In fact, it was the thought of another raid such as the one from Quantrill that pulled them together into a band for the militia. From this time onward there has always been a band in Lawrence, Kansas playing concerts for the populace. The conductors changed, the musicians changed, the location changed, even the name of the band changed. No matter... the music continued. The main bands as found in the enclosed documents are as follow. October, 1864...a militia band serving at the front for two weeks. l867...the band assisted in the exercises of the first commencement at the University of Kansas. 1877 or 1879 or 1880...Lawrence Cornet Band. First appearance at the Commencement Exercises of the Lawrence Public Schools. 1879...Played for the 25th anniversary of the arrival in Lawrence of the group from New England who left Boston in l854 singing "The Kansas Emigrant". 1884...Bell's Military Band. John Bell had a music store on Massachusetts street. Played the trumpet. 1888...First Regiment Band. Led the Lawrence Cyclones when they took first prize in Washington. The Lawrence Cyclones was a drill team sponsored by the Republican Party. 1900-1906...Buch's Military Band. Had 28 musicians. Played for Gov. Theodore Roosevelt, vice-presidential candidate, at Santa Fe station for a ten-minute train stop. Gathered funds and provided labor to build the gazebo in South Park. When this band was discontinued, the slack was taken up by the Haskell Band, the Lawrence High School Band and the University of Kansas Band. The residents still had their concerts in the park but the bands apparently did not request the musicians of Lawrence to participate.
History of the Band Page 3 >>>
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