Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 189, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1914 — BAND MAN MAKES SPLENDID APPEAL [ARTICLE]

BAND MAN MAKES SPLENDID APPEAL

Asks That Support Bo Given For Concerts and Tells of the Sacrifices Members Make. The following appeal was prepared by a member of the boys’ band and every citizen of Rensselaer Should read it and determine to be not only fair but charitable and public spirited. The band was pulled about for four years in a rickety old wagon which finally went practically all tZpieces. Now the band from the court house steps. The music is fine and the accommodations for the crowds is better than at any other place. No person should withdraw their support. The band is an important organization and its use in many, many cases has placed every person living here under obligations that they can never repay. Don’t be penurious now, but show the right spirit, the good will spirit, and give the band the best support it has ever had. On several previous occasions citizens contributed large amounts of money to secure the leadership of a professional band master. They never accomplished with a band what Otto Braun ha% accomplished. The organization of the boys’ band' resulted in Mr. Braun’s removal to Rensselaer, where nis family now resides. This fact should be appreciated by all and the band is entitled to more than they have been receiving. Here is the way one member of the band pfits it: “The last two band concerts have proven very popular in this location for several reasons. The music sounds much better, the stone wall acting as sort of a sounding board and causing the tones of the different instruments to blend much more perfectly than they do on the band wagon. The coping around the court house affords seats for hundreds of listeners and many can stand on the walks without blockading the doors of the Stores, which has been a complaint of many merchants when tl® concerts were held in the streets. The purpose of these concerts is to entertain the people Of the community. Why not give thens in a place where the people can enjoy them without 'having to stand around oiPthe streets for the entire hour -in order to hear them? -But with all these advantages it seems that a number of the business men have decided to withdraw their support from the band because they cannot have the concerts in front of their doors. Few people stop to think that the band is a charitable organization and that a band man makes many sacrifices, simpfly for the good"

of the community' and for the pleasure of the people. They never stop to think that each player must purchase his own instrument, which costs forty or fifty dollars and often more. Two nights a week of his time must be given for practice and concerts. The money contributed has only been sufficient to pay the running expenses for the four years that the band has been playing concerts and during this time no Landman, has received a single cent for any concert. It is a well-known fact that whenever it has been called on by churches or by anyone representing any worthy cause, the band has always gladly given its service 'free of charge. Now, With all this in view, does it not seem that the band should at least have the privilege of Choosing a suitable place for its concerts and still retain the support of the citizens?”