The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1921-02-15
MUSICAL CITY IS
MAYSv|LlE, SAYS
Mr.. GEO. BARNARD
High Praise for Maysyille in Leading
Musical Magazine Of the
Nation - The Article
Featured.

In the current issue Of "The Musical
Messenger" one of the highest class
musical magazines of the nation ap-
pears the following feature article by
George d. Barnard, director of the
Maysville Boys Band:
1t might be interesting to my old
friends and the readers of the Messen-
ger to hear about one of the greatest
band enthusiastic little cities in the
United States. 1t happens to be Mays
vile, KY. Population less than ten
thousand. Last August, 1920, was
called upon to come here to direct
the Boys Band for two weeks en-
gagement at different county fairs
The engagement proved so mutually
satisfactory that l was given three
years contract at very satisfactory
salary, and came back October 1st to
begin my contract.
The Boys Band" was organized
less than two years ago, and now has
thirty-fve members. Since October
18th l have organized an auxiliary
band of forty members, consisting of
boys between nine and eighteen years
Of age. At the time two-thirds of them
had never had an instrument in their
hands, and on Christmas Sunday we
gave a concert, in connection with
the first band, in which they rendered
two numbers in most creditable
manner. Just stop and figure up the
number of young band players in so
small a town! Seventy-fve, with more
coming in. Have complete instrument
tation with exception of bassoon
Have two rehearsals weekly for each
band, and never a member missing ex-
cept on account of sickness (that be-
ing the only excuse accepted).
l feel sure it would please you to
attend one of these reheasals and see
the absolute attention given. At l
o'clock sharp every member is seated
in their respective places, and when
order is called there is no talking or
blowing on instruments during stop
for corrections. had considerable
trouble in enforcing these rules, as
they had been accustomed to "blow
away" as soon as there was a stop, or
some member would have some com
edy stuff" to spring on his nearest
companion. In order to get these re-
suits, insisted on the same attention
in the band room as is demanded by
the teachers in the schools. find 1t
more of a pleasure than hardship at
these rehearsals. Then, too, the men,
bers begin to appreciate it, as they
see the great improvement they are
making by giving absolute attention.
When | began this article | did not
intend to bring up any "band-room
stuff" but wanted to impress upon
you that what has been possible in
Maysville, can be made possible in any
other town. The first and most impor-
tant fact is that this organization is
financed by the merchants and pro-
fessional men. and they now have
enough money subscribed to pay their
director for two years, purchase all
music and pay all running expenses,
and have 81 900 in cash for new uni
forms for the coming spring. The
members purchase and own their in
struments, but get their tuition free.
I have had wide experience with
various good bands, but have never
before had the enthusiastic co-opera-
tion as in my present position, and,
"believe me-" it surely makes life
worth living to see that ones efforts
are being appreciated, not only by the
officers of the organization. but by the
citizens as we'll.
The success of the organization is
largely due to the untiring efforts of
J. Barbour Russell, our worthy man.
ager, and the advisory board given be-
low. sincerely trust that other little
cities will follow in the footsteps of
Maysville, and that there will be more
interest in organizing more bands;
and when you do, get the best musical
instructor and director obtainable,
and give him absolute control, backed
by the board officials, as is done here.
A good band is one of the largest
assets a town can have. Get busy