Norwich bulletin., 1920-06-15
"Tubbs Band Furnished the Musie'

Tubbs' band furnished the music this sentence is the usual casual notice one will read in accounts of any doings where band is part of the ceremonies.
 The public has been so accustomed to the Tubbs Military Band during so long a period that it is taken as a matter of course, much as the post office or the railroad station. We don't realize that it really is. an institution in Norwich, Something that our fathers and even our grandfathers have taken pleasure and pride in seeing and hearing the street. As an organization, it dates back a long time, ever forty-eight years. The original conductor the late Charles TubbS had spent many years of hard work, anx- iety and faithful labor to give pleasure to the people and himself and that is about all that he ever got out of it, for as a means of profit there was nothing to it. The days and nights that he must have spent in writing parts and ar ranging the music of his days-H4lch of which could not be bought is won derful when one comes to see the amount in the band library in his hand writ 1 ing. Of course the present membership | of the band is of another generation, b9t | equally as enthusiastic as the former | one. They give of their time for nehears- als and many times for others benefit. They give of their means and money for music, rent, lights, instruments and uni | forms. The public never think that it | costs lot both in service and money
 to keep the band going. When they are 1 listening to the pleasing music on the
 street or in the park, they don't dream | that, in many cases, it is a free gift
 on the part of members of the band some of them coming miles to fill theiI
 parts and some. even losing pay at theil
 regular work, in order not to disappeint I their fellowmembers and the public
 One would be surprised to know thu number of times the band has been ask
 ed to play for nothing during the wal time occasions which the band ha. eheerfully given freely. Many times soma public or semi-public meeting woule plead their depleted treasury and ask tn.
 bands services at nominal figure. Never perhaps have the requests been refused How seldom, however, has it occurred tt the friends requiring the bands services
 that some of the members. if not all, mus make a sacrifice in order to gfatify tn, requests All this is brought to mind b,
 hearing the band in various concerts re
 gently. At the park few Sundays ago. ] on Memorial Day and again Sunday a the Elks flag day exercises the musi was delightfully."- rend%ed and what i 5 more was of a high order-much nor
 so than most bands of the sort are cap
 able of, no matter if "Sousa" marcl r as such 9, one as Aida" or an oyertur of the type as "Oberon", the teaching or such a one as Aida" or an eyertur
 many years John M. Swahn are very ar parent The playing of the band show
 that somebody has devoted energy an knowledge to bringing them up to an ac l ceptable perfection as well as the faith ful rehearsals by the members them selves for many years. The Tubh Military Band is an organization ths
 any city can be proud to have. It sheul
 be thought well of, as it deserves = should be an institution that the peopI = of Norwich can call their own and spea el in glowing terms about to visitors vfl v are not 50 fortunate in their home tow
 as to have good musical organization
 give pleasure and qualification to the eli izens.
 @ It has never been money maker or e money seeker and it's members have bee ], satisfied to come out even. On the otht = hand, it has never had the public or u
 business men of the town to offer fina, eitl assistance of any sort. Now tn;
 it is intended to increase the instrumen
 ation to about thirty members, some j. music loving citizens feel like helpir e things along. The rehearsals take pla, It Monday evenings and 1t is understoe r. that visitors are welcome. Mr. Jef Q M. Swahn is solo cornet and Mir. M. " Cutie of Westerly is conductor this SC; son. .
 AN APPRECIATIvE ELK l. Norwich, June Ii, 1920.