Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-07-28
An Appeal for a Band Stand.

An Appeal for q Band Stand.
To the public spirited citizens Of the
town Of Bethel;-
During the months OF March and April
of 1910 a few OF the old musicians OF the
town OF Bethel felt that something ought
to be done to enliven the town. Why
not start up a band I? Lots OF talent, who
owned their instruments. Why not or
gaDize7 The question then arose, al
though we are willing to practice we
must have new music, etc. This was
made known to one OF our most public
spirited citizens, the Rev. Mr.. Miller.
He told the boys that he would circulate a
subscription paper and try to raise the
amount necessary to cover the expense.
How well he has succeeded everybody
knows. The result is, twelve band oon
certs during the summer months. The
band has held three concerts, not of
course Of the ''Sousa" ability. but rather
satisfactory to the general public, under
the conditions). I<has at least been the
means of calling out the residents OF the
town; has enlivened the street during the
time, and so far as we have learned, no
body has dropped dead during the con-
cert. Barring one instance where some
one dropped off the railing Of Abbott &
Cady's store. But that wasn't the fault Of
the band, but the railing.
Getting back to the band stand we will
say that the band doesn't ask for an elab-
crate structure. Just an open platform
with rail and seats, high enough to keep
the kids and jays from harrassing the
players. Such jays as we will take the
liberty to NAME, frankie and Johnnie
-. At the last band n they were
evident, circulating outside OF the band
and as kids asking all sorts OF questions.
They, passing as critics
The first we heard was from Johnnie
asking Fred Chapman, the leader,
"Where's your bass player =? Amt We got
any ?" Fred replied, eyes" "Wall,"
Johnnie says, 81 don't see George ingalls,
anywhere" Fred explained that George
had cold sores on his lips and was unable
to play. Then Johnnie cried out, "Why
in the world did George have cold sores
ON band concert night, I'D like to
know 2"
The next victim was the clarinet play
er. frankie steps up to him and while
the player was doing his very best to rem
der his part, says, "Bill, what are We try
ing to do; file a saw 20 Not getting any
reply he passes along till he comes up to
Bert Hastings. He then breaks out,
"Say, Bert, you don't play as we'll as you
ulster ten or twelve years ago" Bert
laughs and tells him be knows it, but he
is haying and can't practice as be used to.
About that time Johnnie and frankie are
passing the bass drum and Johnnie
speaks up so that the bass drummer can
hear him and says, 'tPd like to get holt
of that drum stick; I'd punch a hole in
that drum mighty quick"
About that time George Burrell, the
snare drummer, was putting up a ''side
act" initiating ''clog dancing on the
rim Of his drum. Frankie hollers out,
''Say, George, We amt hitting yer drum
head" They then get to will Briggs
and tell him that they'd like to know
why he couldn't play as big q horn as
George Ingalls, or that little fellow from
Randolph.
Moving along they espied Charley
Dinsmore playing trombone. That
seemed to stagger them. Not daunted,
they struck him in this manner. "Say.
Charley, we thought you was a clarinet
player. That amt a clarinet, is it ? We
thought q clarinet was made something
like a chair round with lots of keys and
holes. They say you're acracker-jack on
clarinet, but you can't play that for
shucks." Moving around again they
came to Carl Spaulding and they wanted
to know why his horn wasn't made the
same as Pearl Ssysge's. They told him
that they thought PEARLS horn sounded
much better.
About that time they struck the clar-
met player again, who, by the way, is
employed by the c. V. Ky. as pumpman.
He at that particular moment was not
playing. They wanted to know why be
wasn't playing. He replied, 81 have hf-
teen measures rest" GOOD Lord % they
exclaimed, haven't you had rest enough
since the strikeG' About that time we
heard frankie telling George Kimball
that he had Single Comb Rhode Island
Red rooster that could make more noise
than be was making with his horn, and
his rooster was only a hroiler.
So il goes, much to the embarrassment
OF each player. Now IL we could get
something il the shape Of q platform
even, out OF reach Of those Gays We
could give better attention to our music;
the result, better rendering. We still
have faith il the music loving element in
our town and hope to see something
done ere long to meet that much desired
end, 3 band stand. e. E Gonya.