The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-11-22
Mr.. COWDEN TELLS
HOW FUNDS FOR
4 Band COULD
Be RAISED
Editor Evening Telegram:

Editor Evening Telegram:
In two previous articles l have
dwelt at considerable length on the
desirability of concert band say,
of 25 or 80 pieces, over one of IL to
Is pieces. While the smaller piece
band might be composed of musicians
of ability, yet the music would not
at all be satisfactory to. people who
were accustomed to hearing the larg-
er organizations owing to the fact
of lack of proper Instrumentation.
l wish to state at this point the
fallacy of the point of view, that peo-
pie in general do not know or care
for good band music. The fact is,
many people in Lakeland and the
most of the visitors from the North
have heard the larger bands and or
chestras Of this country and, l am
sure, fully appreciate them and would
one in Lakeland. From press reports
| learn that Miami will have this sea-
son one of the finest band organiza-
tions in the country, "Pryor's of New
York City. 1t is probably fact that
Miamians know full well what this
will mean to Miami, viz, that people
up and down the East Coast and pos
sibly from inland towns will motor to
Miami to hear this famous organiza-
ton. II Lakeland was within reas-
enable distance,I surely would go
many times.
Now we cannot hope to compete
with Miami but we can have band
music that will be acceptable to the
most of people.
There is one reason why we cannot
organize on the lines of the larger
cities, say, of 100000 population In
those cities bands are paid only fol
the actual concerts given because
musicians who make up these bands
are employed in many other ways al
lu0lI DIOlcoSlOll POI stOo
theaters, picture shows, parades, etc
Lakeland can offer very little along
this line; so we must employ them
otherwise.
There are two ways open for III
to do this First, by straight sal
ary; or, second, other employment
aside from their music.
A straight salary for band of 2e
pieces would mean $500 to 5000
for 1st class and $1,000 to $500 fol
End and 3rd class musician per mar
per week.
The average would probably b.
around $500, or $4,000 for 2
piece. This amount is prohibitory a
this time
The second way is the only feasible
one. in my opinion. A nominal figure
could be paid the members for eacf
concert given. meantime finding then
employment in town at some trade
or profession that would make then
a living wage. This can be done
Many semi-professional men have
trades. etc, by which they earn liv
ing and who are able to play goot
standard music in an acceptible man
ner. There are possibly IL or Is mel
already residing in town who woul(
be more than willing to join thi.
movement, thus making good star
towards 25 piece band. The othel
10 or II men should be employed her,
in some manner. If the business
men will help in real earnest and giv'
these tradesmen steady employment
we can, no doubt. have good bant
by New Years. OF course, it goe'
without saying, that these men mus
: be A No. 1 at their trades.
There is some question as t,
whether men can be gotten from thu
North or elsewhere at this time. Blu
believe they can; however it shoult
be attended to at once, if we wish re
suits by New Years. In past year
many in the frozen North hav,
wished to spend the winter in Florid;
and would have done so if they coult
only have been certain of steady EN-
ployment. | presume it is still true
The quickest and best results are OF
tanned by advertising in Northern
Musical Journals for such and sucl
musicians with such and such trades