The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1900-09-14
Journal NexVsbOys' Band.

Probably no musical organization
in the twin cities is better known or
has larger circle of admirers than
the Minneapolis Journal Newsboys'
Band. Not only do the little musi-
clans play like finished artists, but
their showy uniforms of vivid scarlet
are sure to please the eye as much as
their music charms the ear. 1t is not
such small band as it used to be in
the point of the individual proper
tisns of it's members, for they have
been playing together two years and
a half, and were bound to grow
good deal in that time.
Nevertheless it is still Enthusiastically
a boys band, and the wonder is how
such little fellows as the members are
can gain such remarkably clear con-
ception of the various compositions
they play. This band is composed Of
genuine newsboys, every one of whom
was taken from the streets when the
band was organized. It Is full mill
tary band of fifty pieces, and the fact
that membership in "de band' is es-
teemed by the Minneapolis newsboys,
is attested by waiting list of twenty
five boys, each one of whom is in con-
stant practice on some one OF the band
instruments, SO as to be ready to step
into the first vacancy that occurs.
It was in 1897 that the band idea
was first broached. At the annual
Journal newsboys' picnic Of that year
there was a whistling contest, Ostensi-
bly, for nothing more than small
prize. In reality, however, the names
of the boys who showed themselves
best able to carry a tune were preserv-
ed and from this list fifty youngsters
were selected who were known to have
some musical qualifications. Some
months later Professor G. G. Heintz-
man was engaged by the Journal. In
struments were also furnished by that
paper and the boys were invited in to
their first practice. Each furnished
bond, signed by some responsible cit
izen, insuring good care OF the instru-
ment and its return in case he should
leave the band at any time. At first
the boys were most unruly lot. but
they soon caught the spirit of the
thing and after two or three meetings,
when they thoroughly understood that
membership in the band was cOntin-
as easy to handle as group of grown
up professionals. Their first public
appearance was on Memorial Day,
1893, when they headed the procession
of the day in the brand new unif> rms,
laced with gold. The fact that such
band was in existence was complete
surprise to the citizens of Minneapo-
lis, who were completely captivated.
Since then the band has been in great
demand for all sorts of public engage
mentS.
The boys spent two days at
the Red Wing, Minnesota fair in the
| fall of 1898, escorted the Minneapolis
! Elks to ST. Cloud when new chapter
of the order was organized there, sup
piled the music for the corner stone
ceremonies Of the Odd Fellows when
the latter started their home at North
field, played Fourth Of July date at
Glenwood in 1899, and supplied the
music for the county fair at lie Sneur
last fall. Still later in the fall most
ambitious concert tour was undertaken
and carried out with success. The
places included in this tour were
Northfield, Mankato, Madelia, New
| Ulm, Owatonna, Jordan and Albert
Lea. At every place the boys were
received with enthusiasm, and Pro-
fessor Heintzmann says he has yet to
hear the first complaint on account OF
ungentlemanly behavior on the part
Of any Of his proteges. The band has
large repertory, and after its long
practice together can tackle the stiff
est music with the sang froid Of old
| time musicians.