Figure 1.--This is a French town band in 1912. There was no perscribed uniform, but they all dressed in dark suits and matching caps.

Many towns and villages in the 19th century had marching bands that were used for a wide range of civic functions. These bands were usually all male, but included a wide range of members in terms of age. They were not all-boy bands, but we include them here because boys and youths were commonly members. This varied from town to town. Of course American will instantly think of the River City Marching Band in "Music Man". These bands were very common in both America and Europe. The uniforms varied as did the quality of the music. Some bands had elaborate uniforms, but most did not because of the cost. Usually at least some attempt at uniforms was made such as matching caps.

Chronology

HBC does not yet have a detailed chronology on town marching bands. We do not know when this tradition began. Brass instruments were common in these bands, but we suspect that some towns and villages had bands of some sort, even before the development of modern brass instruments. Another factor may have been the rising income levels in the 19th century and the greater ability of parents to afford musical insyruction for their children. The tadition was certainly well established by the 19th century and comtinued well into the 20th century. World War II (1939-45) in this regard may have been a land mark. It is unlikely that the Germans would be too pleased with local marching bands palying often martial music in the occupied countries. For whatever reason, presumably changing life styles, the tradition of local marching bands declined in Europe after World War II. The bands also declined in America, in part because of the rise of the highschool school marching band.

Prevalence

Many towns and villages in the 19th century had marching bands. Most towns of any size had at least a small band. This varied widely. One factor was the wealth of the village. Poor villages could bot afford uniforms and in many cases instruments were also limited.

Purpose

The town bands were used for a wide range of civic functions. They would preform on civil holidays and to welcome destinguished guests. In Europe they might also perform on religious holidays, although this was less common in America.

Members

These bands were usually all male, but included a wide range of members in terms of age. They were not all-boy bands, but we include them here because boys and youths were commonly members. This varied from town to town. A small village with a limited number of capable musicians might more likely to involve boys than a larger town or village. We do not knpow if the pattern here varied among countries. Some well established bands in the 20th century appear to have had junior auxileries. After World War II many of these bands that survived began acepting girls and women.

Music

The musical quality of these bands varied widely. One important factor that most had was that they played loudly in the days before electronic amplication.

National Trends

These bands were very common in both America and Europe. We have little information yet on the trends in different countries. We have found some historical information published by siurviving bands which provide some insights into natioanl trends. Often few historical records survive and all that is known comes from studying a few scattered photographs from the late 19th century.

America

Of course American will instantly think of the River City Marching Band in "Music Man". This was not just an imagined musical. Many American towns did have a town band, although the normal band was before the magical transformation made at the end of the film. This of course was meant to show what the band seemed like to the proud parents admiring their offspring. Unlike the show, these bands were usually all male. Also they were not usually a boys' band, but included a wide range of ages. Many early town bands have not survived, in part because of the rise of the highschool school marching band. Many of the town bands that have survived reorganized themselves to be concert rather than marching bands. One of the oldest American bands is the New Holland Band which traces rich traditions to 1829. The original New Holland Band formed as part of the 51st Pennsylvania Militia. The Earl Infantry Band as the band was called in 1856 was reorganized in 1864 for Civil War duty as the 203rd Regimental Band. After the Cibil War the band became known as the New Holland Citizens' Band in Pennsylvania. The Band has been known as the Patriotic Order Sons of America Band (1900-15), The Erisman Witmer Citizens' Band (1915-25), the Boys' Band (1929-35), and the Victory Band (1942-58). The band has since reverted to the original name. An 1889 photograph shows a youth wearing an elaborate military uniform. A typical American band is the The Robbinsdale City Band in Minnespta which was organized in 1906. It consisted of a dozen or so members of all ages and known as the Robbinsdale Civic Club Band. At first, no age limit was set for band membership. Membership was based on ability to play and the availability of an instrument. Later as the band made a transition to a concert band, membership was restricted to muscicians of at least high school age, but a junior band was organized.

Czech Republic

A HBC reader tells us in reference to the brass bands that one of the Bohemian Czech bands created a polka that became popular all over the world (around 1939-40). In England and the United States it is known as the "Beer Barrel Polka", in Germany "Rosamunde" and in the Netherlands it was a very patriotic song in 1939 'Rats, kuch en bonen is het soldatendiner" (about Dutch soldiers ready to defend the country.....if they ever knew the German invasion was imminent when they were singing it). The composer was Jaromir Vojvoda and the polka in Czechoslavakia was named the "Modjani Polka".

England

An early English band is the Shrewton Silver Band. The presence of a Band in the village, circa 1830, can be supported by articles to be found in the local newspaper, the Salisbury Journal, which accoding to the Band, "allows us to share a place in history alongside such well known names as Black Dyke Mills and Besses o' the Barn". Militia records from the 1850s show that a number of villagers accepted the call to arms for the Crimean Campaign and some were given instruments to form a band. Though they set sail from Portsmouth, it appears that they only reached Zante in the Mediterranean. A typical English band is prpbably the Poulton-le-fylde Band which was founded in 1874. The early photographs show the band was small and only some members had uniforms, although the uniforms were elaborate military styles. The band performed at local functions as can be seen from photographs showing the band marching in processions. The members from the early photographs look to be mostly adult men. The Kirkbymoorside Band is one that has survived into the 21st century. It is first mentioned in records during 1815. It has been a public subscription band from that time. The band believes that it is one of the oldest such bands in the country. The minutes book has been found recently from 1890, so more is known of the last 100 years than the first 80. An 1890 portrait shows that all the members were men and there was no uniform. The band has since accepred women and founded a junior band. A YBC reader tells us that the Kirkbymoorside Band is a proud Yorkshire Band. [Wakley]

France

Town or village brass bands were very common in France. One of these bands was called a "fanfare" or "orphéon". They were up of amateur musicians of varying ages. Generally they were boys, youths, and young men. Older men sometimes did not have the stamina needed for playing an instrument in a marching band. These bands were normally all male bands. They traditionally animates village festivals with their music. A HBC reader notes, "It was not always of the bestd music, but the goodwill was there. Sometimes these brass bands had uniforms, but this was rare.

Germany

Germany along with Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia, are THE brass band countries in Europe. Nearly every village and town had its own band. The German musicians always wore a uniform, even in the poorest villages. Many of the bands still exist today and they seem to have no problem attracting young musicians. Especially the "Bohemian" brass bands (whether Czech or Sudenten German) were famous. A European reader reports, "One of the most popular became "Die Egerlaender Musikanten" (the Egerland Musicians) under the direction of Ernst Mosch. They performed all over Europe and also in Carnegie Hall in their old-fashiond costumes from the pre-World War II era. Their brass band sound was unique and immediately recognizable. I have several tapes and records of this band and I love the music!"

Greece

The tradition of village marching bands has not disappeared in Greece. There are still some villages that have them and two aare particularly well known.

Italy

Scotland

Uniforms

Some bands had quite elaborate uniforms. Several surviving 19th century photograophs show town or village bands with elaborate military uniforms. These would have been quite costly. Many such bands had no uniforms at all because of the cost. Often at least some attempt at uniforms was made such as matching caps.

Sources

Wakley, David. E-mail message, February 17, 2003.

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Created: June 6, 2002
Last updated: February 18, 2003