The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1922-09-15
BANDS


Ever since remember the problem o.
maintaining a band in town. of ten thous-
and or less population it is one that has vexed the
minds of the people, and this matter has agitated
the minds Of the people of Lubbock for the past
eighteen years to certain knowledge. Even in
the days when Lubbock had less than three hun
dred population. city had band. II was a
volunteer band. led by volunteer instructor. and
for months and possibly years moved along taking
care of the local needs for band music, but at the
expense of few who invested their money in in
struments and contributed their time and money
to keep the organization in working order There
is limit to all things however. and the town
grew larger and the demands greater it was found
impossible to maintain the organization without
some assistance from the outside. 1t has never
been satisfactory. especially in small places to hire
a band to play at everything that music is needed
for. and neither is it practical for musicians to give
their time and pay their expenses every time
that the services of band is required. yet it looks
like Lubbock is going to have to depend upon some
thing like this if we are to have band. and music
the various occasions. More than once has the
Chamber OF Commerce undertaken to maintain a
band by paying the salary, a part of it it least
of competent instructor but each time the
rangement has failed for some reason or another.
and about half the time Lubbock is minus organ
lied band Just now the musicians are without a
leader, the Chamber of Commerce not feeling able
TO maintain a fund for the support OF the nstruc
tor Lubbock needs high class band and we be-
heve it is one OF the important things that should
have the attention of the Chamber OF Commerce
Directors We need band frequently and it will
a great deal more to hire a band from some
other place.ftha to maintain one, to say nothing
of deprving those who wish instruction, from get
ting it, The Junior band was making fine progress
under the last director and getting nearly up
to the point where they could render music well
enough to play engagements when the Chamber of
To tfa and
the instructor vamoosed leaving some twenty
youngsters with expensive instruments and with
smatering Of musical knowledge to await further
development and another spasm by the Chamber
OF Commerce. Some how other the average
man does not know what il takes to maintain
band. and the time that each member must neces
sariy devote--~hich he donates The fair is com
ing and there should certainly be some arrange
ments made for the band during the fair days We
are sure that the members of the band will be will
ing to give part of their time at least. but they
should certainly be shown the courtesy of expenses
during the time they engaged and admission
to the fair grounds. In fact band member is en-
titled to the admission OF everything free. Last
year informed the band was required to
pay admission to the grounds and the members
gave their time. too II this is true we think it was
a very grave mistake. and they should be given
more consideration at this time The instructor |
contracted with by the Chamber of Commerce is no
longer here. but understand that the band mem
bers planning to keep the organization togeth-
er for the present at least by selecting a director
from among the ranks. and in that way keep the
players together I'LL other arrangements can
be made In opinion the only satisfactory way
for band to be maintained is through the Chamber
ct Commerce or some organization that is kept up |
by public subscription. We hope the Chamber Of
Commerce will be able to make necessary and sat-
isfactory arrangements with a capable instructor
soon and that we will be able to have one of the
best bands in West Texas. We do not know any |
thing about the contract the Chamber of Commerce
had with the last director. anything about the
trouble tina, arose that caused him to give up the
work. but We confident that some arrangements
can be made to keep good instructor here. and
develop band that viii be second to none in the
State Of It's sire.