Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-12-24
Large Number
Interested In
Libby Band
Thirty-five Have Joined Or
ganization and Are Max
ing Good Progress.
ASK SUPPORT
OF COMMUNITY

Not many Libby people are aware 0
the fine progress that is being mad
in developing band for the city, no
are they aware that an organization ha
been under way for some time, witt
regular practices being held and will
much interested manifested in the worl
by large number OF musicians. At thu
present time the band has IS members
who are being instructed by Vernon
Bessey who is devoting much tims
to that interesting work. The recitint
of little history concerning the for
nation of the band will be of inter-
est.
Last fall it was desired to take 8
small handsome six Or eight pieces
to the American Legion district meet
inc held at Eureka. But it was during
the time of the disastrous forest fires
and so many men were absent on the
fire lines that the players for the
necessary instruments could not DC
obtained. At that time, however, the
Legion determined that it would be
wonderfully fine thing If band could
be formed and they took up the task
Of pushing along the work.
Later in the fall, when the men be-
gan to return home from fighting tire,
it was decided to try organizing band
for the city. In the meantime, the
Moose lodge had become interested and
the agreement was the two organiza-
tions-the American Legion and the
Moose-should sponsor the organiza-
ton, each contributing small sum tor
it's support In view Of the fact that
the school had decided to discontinue
the school band, number OF young
nlavers were left without chances tor
further instruction and many OF these
were anxious to 60 on with their mu-
sic. Thus when it was announced that
a band was to be organized, MIR. bes-
sew at once received requests from q
number Of the former members OF the
school band for permission to JOIN the
older organization. This was granted
1t was thought that it would be well
If dozen members would show up
for the first meeting, but what was
the surprise of those sponsoring the
band to find that over twenty had
turned out at the first call, number
OF these being the more advanced
members of the school band, while the
others were experienced band players
The result was that an organization
was formed at that time which has
since been holding regular practices
and under which the band is making
very pleasing practice The original
twenty odd members has increased
until 1t now numbers thirty-five.
The band has made a few appear
ances in public and is planning more
in the near future 1t will give con-
cert New Years night preceding the
big dance to be given by the Moose
lodge, playing in both the Kienisz
and Woodmen halls Mr.. Bessey says
it is necessary that community nand
be given opportunity to appear at ire
uuent intervals before the public II
the necessary interest is to be main
tanned among the players.
Another accomplishment which Mr..
Bessey hopes to put over IS the arous-
ing of enough interest in the community
SO that support of a permanent band
for the city can be provided. 1T is I'M
possible to keep band going without
the support of the public said bessey.
mo one gets any money out OF the
organization. No salaries are paid ana
everyone devotes his time to the work
without pay, because we all enjoy the
work. Everyone provides his own IN
strument which always runs into
considerable sum. If the community
could be induced to vote small trac-
ton of mill tax for the support OF
the band it would be fine thing, say
a tax that would give us about $5Oo
year to cover the cost OF music and
other necessary expenses The mem
beers are showing much interest in the
work and at no time has there beer
less than twenty at practice.
The personnel Of the bNnd and the
instrument each plays is gwen below
Cornets-Harold Nelson, Gus Schi-
kora, Litchfield Darlington, Marlin Ad'
kins, Elmer Stevens.
Clarinets-R. r. Wick, Herber
zawadke, Millett Keller, Delber
A~c1x.n Mtrdp