The Newtown bee., 1890-06-06

AANNNA~~'
BASS HORN:
w. il. Prindle.
TROMBONE
Ammon williams.
DRUM MAJOR:
Charles sherman.
FIRST TEACHER:
Major Lee OF Hartford.
The bass horn, IA keyed instrument, is
now in the possession of Mr Charles il.
Peck.
In the year 1915, brass band was Or
ganized in Sandy Hook william Wright
(not of Newtown) was the teacher. The
following is partial list of the members
william a. Parsons, leading instru-
William j. Dick, lment.
George +. Redstonc,
Edward Parsons,
Edward II. FairchiId,
Charles l.. Dick,
Maj Charles Sherman,
Harry sherman,
George sherman.
Very little can be learned in regard to
this band, as most of the members have
moved away. An old book can be seen,
kept by the treasurer, in which are given
the names of about so persons who con-
tributed toward the support of the or
ganization; also the amount of money
paid by each person. These entries are
at first all Greek to the reader, being
written backward, but, on being held be-
fore Il mirror, become clear statements.
Our late friend Redstone, who was a
great lover of music, never failed, when
the occasion offered, to speak with great
enthusiasm of the sold Sandy Hook
Band" So great was his interest in
band music that his advancing years did
not prevent him, as we shall see, from
joining younger body of musicians.
The Newtown Cornet band, III. I'll.
Blish of Bridgeport, teacher. This was
organized in September, 1868, and con-
sisted of the following Instruments:
Two Eb comets.
Two BIB comets.
Two alto horns.
Two tenor horns.
One baritone.
Two bass tubas.
Snare drum.
Bass drum.
Cymbals.
LIST OF MEMBERS:
Charles ). Platt, leader,
George X. Couch,
David c. Peck,
g. III. Gay, secretary and II easurer,
Charles K. Booth,
Roger s. Platt,
Charles +. Beardsiey,
Arthur L. Peck,
Elias Ill. Osborne,
Birdsey c. Glover,
John ID. Boland,
Julius w. Skidmore,
c. Newton shepherd,
Herman III. Peck,
| John G. Gay,
Henry q Curtis,
George I, Redstone.
| Charles III. Peck of Brookfield did good
service as clarionet player, on special oc.
casions.
The band made rapid progress under
the instruction of Mr. Blish and had MANY
engagements. Among them were two
agricultural fairs at Woodbury.; one al
Watertown; celebration at Bridgeport
July 4, 1870; opening of the milk factory
at Hawleyville; opening of the Grand
Central hotel, July, 1871; dedication OF
the soldiers monument at Woodbury.,
September &c, 1871. On the day of the
Bridgeport engagement, the band had i
double duty to perform. 1t played il
that city in the forenoon, under direction
of the teacher, Mr. Blish and fulfilled al
engagement at a picnic in Sandy Hook il
the evening under the leadership 81
George Il. Couch, the regular leader be
ing out of town.
i The free use of SaDford's hall for re
hearsals was given to the members TO
nearly three years. They We're obliged
finally, to secure other quarters. Fo
this reason and many others, a feeling o
Encouragement came over the band an,
brought about ACKNOWLEDGMENT, in tn
Fall Of 1871. The last rehearsals wer
held in November of that year in tn
Brick building. A book might be writ
ten of the funny experiences 0
the Cornet band. An old membe
} related, the other day, how, on one o.
, cssion at picnic, a petrified cat was eS
hibited, admission five cents, the money
which amounted to considerable, bein
donated to the band.
The last organization is the st. Ros
+, Drum Corps. This was organized abor
I, 1876 and continued to prosper until I8s
! or 1885. Ii then disbanded, on accour
. If mf,f,,bnrs leaving town and other req