The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1928-02-23
USE OF BOYS BAND TOLD
BY A KANSAS CITY PAPER
There Is a Possibility of Doing
The Same Thing in Oakland

An idea of what it is possible to do
for boy in training him to play an
instrument in boys band may be
learned from story appearing in a
Kansas City (Mo.) newspaper on THE
Use of Boys Band" The problem
is of more interest to Oakland boys es-
pecially because R. R. Gilbert, who is
devoting his time and energy to about
eighteen boys of Oakland, is going to
have a real boys band before another
six months is past, and through COM
paratively little active interest on the
part of the citizens of town, organiza-
lions and parents Of some of the boys
who are members of the organization.
Following The Republican repro
duces a portion of the article in ques-
ton: Training boys to become not
only good musicians, but at the same
time good men, has been the double
objective in the making of the crack
Rotary Club Boys Band of Kansas
City, an organization that commands
instant attention and admiration
wherever it performs That appealing
to the finer instincts of boys, in this
case through music and strict disci-
pine, is an assured way of bringing
the best results, constitutes both the
theory and the practice which have
brought the oand to high degree Of
perfection and attainment.
"To take boys without previous mu-
steal training, boys often rough in ap-
pearance, careless in their habits of
dress and behavior and to transform
them into youths with the skill of eX-
perts in the handling of band instru-
ments, youths thoughtful, courteous,
erect and manly in bearing and APP
preciative of the best in music and in
themselves, has been the task of Alois
Winkler, founder and director of the
Rotary Club Boys Band.
"The story Of. this organization runs
back through a period of nearly five
years. Mr.. Winkler, out of his previ-
Gus extended experience with band
music in organization and leadership
of both mems and boys bands, had
desire to devote his continuous effort
he building and maintenance of
IS group of boy musicians.
akler surveyed the local
as it possible, without
ind dependable sup
gag :, equip and to engage
years IF necessary training of
band as he had pictured in his
I? Observing the interest and
the Rotary Club in behalf of
found his answer. When the
on was taken up with the
instant response was had.
Jaw the undertaking, as did
Ter, the chance not only for
of a musical organization
reflect credit upon the city
table investment in the de-
of character I'd young
The club agreed to finance
nd to furnish uniform for the
headquarters, and tc pay for
Enc raining.
he boys themselves were to fur
nish the instruments, if they could
find way to do it. If not, assistance
was to be given. But the great major
ity of the boy band members, through
work in vacation, odd jobs about their
homes and other ways provided theic
4 instruments. This arrangement has
been continued.
at has been my experience" said
r. Winkler, chat it is not best to
10y everything for nothing.
something for himself.
1stle. He will be all the
it.
Boys responded to the idea
5and consists Of 80 pieces.
never plays jazz. For their
with the organization the
boy members do not know the mean
ing of jazz. Only classical music is
used, which bears out another funda-
mental for which Mr.. Winkler has
contended. Music not only brings out
the best in boys, but boys can learn
to use and appreciate the best in
music"
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Observation-Disclosures NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.