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The years following the Buch Band were filled with outdoor concerts according to reports of Lawrence residents. The Lawrence Boys Band was established by Lawrence High School Band Director, Byron C. Donmeyer in the l920's. The conductors of the Lawrence High and University of Kansas Bands were or became national figures in the music world... J. C. McCanless (l907), Russell L. Wiley and Clarence Sawhill (l930), Kenneth Bloomquist (l955) and Robert E. Foster (l97l). Mr. Wiley began the very successful Midwestern and Art Camp in the early l930's and gave weekly outdoor band, orchestra and choir concerts. These were exceptionally well attended by the townsfolk. It is the judgment of the writer that these performances, guided by men of musical stature, produced high musical ability on the part of the musicians. The listeners became accustomed to music of high caliber. The musicians began to join the Musicians Union in the late l940's and used funds from the Union to pay small groups to perform, primarily in Topeka, for the residents of the State Hospital, at Menninger's Psychiatric Hospital and similar type facilities. In l964, there was a reorganization of the Musicians Union and it was suggested all trust funds designated for Local 5l2 of the American Federation of Musicians be used locally. Therefore, Charlie Kassinger, Lawrence High School band director, organized the first Lawrence City Band sponsored by Local 512 of the American Federation of Musicians. The trust funds were then used to pay the Union musicians. In 1965, Charlie Kassinger departed and Kenneth Bloomquist, who was director of bands at the University of Kansas, became director of the Lawrence City Band. Under his guidance the band played several concerts at different parks in the city during the summers. In l969, Kenneth Bloomquist left his position at the University of Kansas in order to accept a position at Michigan State University. At that time, William L. Kelly, a fine clarinet player in the band, assumed the leadership of the Lawrence City Band. Although Mr. Kelly was in the Registrar's Office at the University of Kansas (and later became Registrar), his musical talents were well known. His advanced academic degrees were in music from the University of Nebraska and the University of Kansas and he had proven himself by establishing excellent band programs in McCook, Nebraska public schools and Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. Since Dr. Kelly was not in music for his livelihood, the Lawrence City Band was an act of love on his part. He would choose the music from the Musicians Union library or borrow it from the high school or the university and sit by the hour repairing the old, battered music. He often said he used a large roll of scotch tape for each concert. The chosen selections were definitely not modern but were excellent band literature of the "old school". It was a family affair for the Kellys. The folders were placed on the pool table and his wife and children would help place the music in the musicians' folders before every concert. Woe be to the one who made an error or wanted to play pool. Kelly was librarian, custodian ( would set up the chairs for every concert), conductor, personnel manager and treasurer for the band. Time consuming? Yes. But great fun. The musicians were excellent and liked playing his type of music. Dr. Kelly liked people..particularly those that liked music...his kind of music. The band grew in size and continued its expertise. The people came to support the band. Dr. Kelly often said he had the best of both worlds..a position he liked in administration at the University of Kansas and good music to fill up any other available time. The Musicians Trust Fund allowed approximately $15 to be paid to every union band member. Dr. Kelly's salary was double, but he rarely accepted payment so that it could be parceled out to non-union members who were an essential part of the band. In the mid 1980's, the funds from the Musicians Trust Fund were alleviated and all funding for the band was provided by the City of Lawrence. While the stipend for the musicians was and is small, they do not mind as they feel strongly about the importance of the Lawrence City Band and its benefit to the community. Kelly's concerts, no matter whether it was at the beginning of his reign or the end, were all very much alike...a rousing march, a good classical overture, some fun music, another march, another good classical overture, popular and novelty selections and finishing with a march. In his opinion, Kelly planned his concerts in the manner of John Philip Sousa... a good classical overture preceded by a march and then rewarding the audience for listening with a popular selection or a march. The continual musical excellence of the band recognized and proven when the Lawrence City Band under the direction of Dr. Kelly received the Sudler Scroll award in 1989 from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Several examples of the band's concerts are enclosed. Others are on file with the Lawrence City Band. |
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