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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 - Conclusion
"l856...the Old Band met at the farmhouse for its weekly practice. During the week they might be farmers, mechanics, or business men; the weeks toll of loss and hardship might have been heavy; but on this one night they were only band boys...their anxiety was to play their musical scores with such correct time and expression as to meet with the approval of their leader, a trained Boston musician. They always gave an outdoor concert to an unseen audience before separating. The people of the farms for miles around would come to their doors. Forgotten would be the tough sod, the protracted drought, forgotten the green wood, the hard water, the latest ague chill. Even the constant menace of the border ruffians would be forgotten while they listened to the music of the "Old Band." Written by Susan Alford, Published in the Atlantic Monthly, Volume CXLIII January-June, l929 "l903...Homeowners living near the parks, always had friends sitting on their porches, steps, and porch railings, to listen to the concerts. On particularly hot nights, the women would fan themselves with fans made of cardboard with a wooden handle, advertising some merchant's wares, or those made of basket weave straw. ...Many horsedrawn carriages would park along the curbing near the band, and listen to the concert. Men, women, and children strolled around the bandstand, disregarding the attacks of mosquitoes, chiggers and June bugs with their clutching claws." Article found in the Gazette, June l0, l903. "l920...again this summer, as in years gone by, the music of John Philip Sousa and others will again break the stillness of the warm summer evening around the town squares or city parks Kansas continues to enjoy a tradition established by their forefathers." David Dary, Topeka Capital Journal, April 4, l97l. "l979......I hope the concerts are a place where the people in town can come and relax. If the music goes in one ear and whirls around a little bit and makes you feel good because it has a good melody, it makes me feel good." Bill Kelly, Daily Kansan, June 28, l979. "June l2, l983...Several small groups and individuals have gathered already, some sitting in semicircles, as though relaxing in their own back yards. A tiny dog, tied to a chair, sniffs the ground as declining sunlight slants past the park's gazebo. Nobody's taking things too seriously, and that's just as it should be for the first Lawrence City Band concert of the summer season...
He primes his band to perform difficult numbers well, but the whole idea is to have fun. ' It's that kind of activity,' states Kelly, 'It's not a concert hall.'" Article by Chuck Twardy, Lawrence Journal World, June l2, l983 "l996...It's one of the few places kids can hear classical music in an environment that's friendly to kids... they can move around....The informalness of it is really good. You can visit with your neighbors and still enjoy the concert and not really bother anybody too much." Robert E. Foster, Journal World, June 4, l996. The above quotations span one-hundred and forty years and there are many more similar ones in the enclosed documentation. The similarity is such that the dates could be removed, and the material is still true. The purpose of all the bands was to provide enjoyment for young and old, musicians and listeners. Granted, the bands had different names but their ranks were always filled with residents of Lawrence, Kansas or the surrounding area. The fact the Lawrence City Band is of such extremely high expertise to be honored nationally is of great satisfaction to all Lawrence residents. As long as there are musicians willing to work hard enough to gain the necessary skills, as long as there are people willing to give the extra effort necessary for the organization, as long as there are people interested in coming to listen to the band, the Lawrence City Band will exist. History will continue to repeat itself. In checking the Britannica World Language Dictionary, a legacy is, "a bequest. Hence, anything, as a characteristic derived from an ancestor." As the enclosed documentation is studied, it is found one year builds on another. If the bands in l854 had not been successful and brought joy to the residents, it is possible none of the enclosed material would be available. The Lawrence City Band is extremely proud of their heritage and are pleased to submit the enclosed material for inclusion in the "Local Legacy Project" sponsored by the Library of Congress.
History of the Band - Bibliographical Information >>>
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