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Grove City High School
Grove City Boys Band
THE
BOYS BAND
The Boys’ Band of the Grove City High School was organized in
June 1917. There were so many applications for admission to the High
School Orchestra, organized several years earlier, by boys playing, or
desiring to play brass instruments, of whom only a few could be
admitted. To satisfy the desire of these boys and others likeminded in
years to come, the principal secured the consent and the good will of
the Board of Education for a School Band. Weekly
practices began in late May or early June, 1917. A motely assortment of
instruments were used at first. Through the kindly assistance of several
members of the Board of Education and the Grove City National Bank a set
of standard, silver plated instruments were bought from the Buescher
Company by July, 1917 Many members of the band bought instruments of
their own, many of which were ordered by the principal and paid for in
installments to suit the convenience of the boys. The band as organized
at present [1924] owns twenty-two instruments, mostly the larger horns
and drums. Through the kindness of the Grove City Commercial Club
uniforms were purchased for the band in the spring of 1918. Up
to the present school year the Boys’ Band had one or two practices
weekly in the evening, wholly voluntary and without school credit. At
present practice is held every day from 8:00 to 9:00 a. m. with
customary school credit for such work. The
Boys’ Band made its first public appearance sometime in June, 1917
after a few weeks practice. The boys thought they had mastered a simple
march and were anxious to let others know. They gathered under the light
at the entrance of the College Administration Building and “let ‘er
go !“ One can easily imagine
the result. Whether the neighbors or the On
July 4, 1917 with their new instruments, proud as peacocks the boys
strutted out the Mercer road and—well—were heard at the
George Junior Annual Reunion. Since then the Boys’ Band has been on
duty at all times and for every occasion in the home town. They took
part in all nearby towns and cities in the patriotic parades during the
War. They have filled many engagements at fairs, reunions, and picnics. The Boys’ Band of the Grove City High School was probably the first school band in Western Pennsylvania. Since the organization in 1917 more than a hundred boys have been members of the band at one time or another, the older boys on graduating, making place for younger boys. Many of these older boys help the band out at various times when needed. Even though no longer belonging they feel kindly towards their band. At present [1924] the band has 37 members. The highest number at any time was 49. |
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from 1924 Pine Knot, Grove City High School yearbook, page 59.
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