The Newtown bee., 1898-10-28

All 1OIb W x 7ShSL LtkCthC1 1dCIe HI
regard TO the growth of instrumental
music in Newtown is attended with ONE
difficulty. No newspaper published in
the past years can be referred to, which
would give as the desired information.
But the period of time over which one
must go is not very extended. Ii the
events which have happened within the
last 80 years were rt corded, the entire
ground is covered, as far as anything im-
portant is concerned.
The first piano brought into NewtowB
was owned by Miss Betsey Glover, after.
ward the wife of Harry Beers. The
date OF it's purchase is not obtainable.
This plano long ago ceased 10 exist as q
musical instrument, but the woodwork
is still preserved and is put to praeti.
csl use. Since 1860, when there were
very few pianos here, that instrument has
charged in construction. The upright
has cJme into use and is destined TO take
the place of the square piar o. In the
year 1864. the first cabinet or psrlor Or
gan was brought into town by Mrs JUL
ius Sanford. now Of New Haven. Since
that time, 1.-The melodeOn has been compar
atively worthless. There are row about
10 pianos and organs in the town. or
course, there are not that number of pu-
piis, the instruments being kept in some
ir stances, lack of musical enthusiasm
prevents the younger members of famil-
les from acquiring kill on the keyboard.
When we turn TO band music, the first
organization of which we learn was call
ed the Newtown band. 1t made its first
appearance on Fourth of July (year un-
knowD) at Grassy Plains. The follow
ing is 8 scheme Of the instruments played
and the names of the performers
EIGHT CLARIoNETs; PARTIAL LIST OF THE
PLAYERS:
Ambrose Shepherd,
David Botstord,
Elias Beers.
Benjamin Glover,
JOh Andrews.
TWO CONCERT HORNS;
Bronson Buckley,
Edward FaiTchild.
TWO BUGLEs:
Beach Fairchud,
Charles Seeley.
ONE TRUMPET.
William Clark ~
rICCOLO:
BASS HoRS:
w.B Prindle
TROMBONE:
Ammon Williams.
DRUM MAJOR:
Charles Sherman.
FIRST TEACHER.
MaioI Lee of Hartford
The bass horn, keyed instrument, is
now in the possession of Chs rles Il.
Peck.
In the year 1915, brass band was or.
gauized 10 Sandy Hook; William Wright
(not of NewtOwp) was the teacher. The
following is a pa -tial list of the mem
bers:
william A. Pal sons leading instru-
William J. Dick, ment
George T KedstOne,
Edward Parsons,
Edward r. Fsirchild,
Charles L. Dick,
Maj Cha les 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 81 persons who con-
tributed toward the support Of the or
ganizatioD also the amount of money
at first all Greek to the reader, being
written backward, but on being held be-
fore q mirror, bee one 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 ..old Sandy Hook
| band" So great was bis interest in band
| music that his advancing years did not
prevent him, as we shall see, from join
| ing younger body of musicians.
The Newtown Cornet band, 81. 81
Blieh of Bridgeport, teacher. This was
organized in September, 1868, and con
| sisted OF the following instruments
| Two Eb cornets.
| Two BIB cornetS.
| Two alto horns
| Two tenor horns.
| One baritone.
| Two bass tubas.
| Snare drum.
Bass drum.
| Cymbals.
LIST OF MEMBERS:
| Charles s. Platt leader.
George Couch.
David c. Peck,
| C. FL. Cav, secretary and tres surer
Charles E. both,
| Roger Platt,
Charles +. Beardsley,
Arthur L Peck,
| Elias FL. Osborne,
Birdsey G. Glover,
John d. Boland,