The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1892-08-05
SOMETHING WE NEED.

It is something which we already have,
but which has never received the recogni
ton which it justly deserved. Il is a
thoroughly good brass band. In this one
point Corvallis is wofuily behind many OF
| her neighbors. The Marine band, of this
! city has been in existence for some time and
everywhere it has appeared it has always
made most pleasing impression and has
won friends among all disinterested hearers.
The members of this organization, however,
do not feel that they hay, been
| accorded the encouragement which they de-
serve. They very much desire to increase
their membership; the city does not afford
material for such an increase, consequently
it is necessary to secure these additional
members from outside the city; these new
members must have some kind of employ
ment as means of LIVELIHOOD; when our
merchants or tradesmen are approached
with request that they employ these men
they almost invariably refuse. No, they
don't want any band men in their employ;
"whenever they are wanted most. the band
has some engagement and they have to go
out with it," This is not only unjust. but
is really untrue, as any reasonable person
can see if they will give the matter a few
moments thought. We can speak from ex-
perience, for out of four men employed in
the Office of the GAZETTE, three of them are
members of the Marine band and we have
h,I +o 81: 10 tbo g.
Another thing we should remember is
that orr band is self lf,supporting. Not one
cent has ever been contributed by anybody
to the support of this band About the
first of this year they purchased new set
of instruments, the best money could pro-
cure, at an expense Of several hundred dol
lars Every penny of this amount was paid
by the boys themselves; they have the
the finest uniforms in the state, yet the boys
paid for them without any assistance from
any body; a hall for holding their meetings
was necessary and the rent for this, to.
getiIer with the money for the lights came
from the same source; music had to be pur
chased and any person who ever bought
music at all knows very well that it is very
expensive-a band lst at all times have
repertoire of at least 100 selections which it
can play without repetition, while the cost
of music will average about one dollar for
each piece--none can be bought for less
than fifty cents and the price ranges from
that amount up to several dollars per num-
Der, so that one dollar is very reasonable
aserage-l00 selections at one dollar each
amounts to just $l00; and when one re-
fleets that new music must necessarily be
purchased quite often they eau readily see
that 1t is no easy matter to keep up a band.
No city in the state has Il better hand than
Corvallis and it is to our everlasting shame
that It is not given better support than it
has been accorded. The neglect, we do not
believe to he dne to i'll feelings, but to in-
diference-nobody has given the matter
thought. The band boys have not COM
planned, but the facts of the case have been
SO PLAIN and tsiy seen that it ought to
have been noticed before.
Many towns with bands which could not
ne compared With our NlaTlneS, support
them with contributions so that they are
out nothing at all and yet we have heard
people who were unkind. enough to find
fault with our band because they felt that
they could not afford, in view of their heavy
expenses, to play without remuneration.
Why do not oar citizens take enough in.
uerest and pride in this musical organization
TO at least provide for them a comfortable
room where they could meet without feel
ing that they were almost bankrupting
themselves by occupying it? 1t is the least
that could he done. Many places keep
highly salaried leader for their band. Moth
ing of the kind is expected or desired here,
only that they be treated fairly and honor
ably.
Citizens, give the Marine band the en-.
couragemcnt it deserves. It's reputation is
an eviable one which Is coveted by a great
many others which have right even 10
COMPARISON with it. It's membership is
made up entirely of gentlemen who are
credit to the community to which they be-
.ong, and who are among the best citizens
We have among us.