Mt. Pleasant Band - 1893 - (Photo MS-0001)
Mount Pleasant once had a municipal brass band. Municipal bands were common in many towns in the 1800's and early 1900's. The municipal band played concerts for local people and provided music for special occasions, but they also helped promote Mount Pleasant on "Good Will Tours" held when members of the Chamber of Commerce, Fair Association, and other groups traveled to area towns to promote Mount Pleasant and local activities. A band stand was once located on the north side of the Titus County Court House square. It is shown under the "Street Scenes" topic near the right side of Photo SS-0009 titled "A Candidate Speaking".
The origins and history of the Mount Pleasant municipal band are spotty, at best. This photo is labeled "Mt. Pleasant Band - 1893". While the date may not be exact, we doubt that it is too far off, either. Since the City was not incorporated until 1900, we are unable to use city records to verify how long the band may have existed before then. Microfilmed newspaper records begin in 1923, so they don't help date band activities before then.
Minutes of the May 2, 1916 Mt. Pleasant City Council minutes state "Upon motion by T.L. Denman, seconded by Dr. W.J. Delafield, carried unanimously that members of the Mount Pleasant Municipal Band be not required to pay street tax for the year 1916."
The first mention of the municipal band in newspaper articles was on May 27, 1928 when the Band Association chose Harmon Dobyns as band leader "for the coming year." This, combined with the September 19, 1928 article that describes the Tyler Band's concert in Mt. Pleasant "under the direction of Doc Witt, who at one time directed the band at this place" further leads us to believe that the municipal band existed before 1928. We think that the organizational meetings described in the 1928 articles were actually re-organizational meetings. We don't know if perhaps Mt. Pleasant had a municipal band in the 1890's that later dissolved for some reason and then re-formed in the 1920's, or if this was just an annual band reorganization that may have happened each year to replace people who dropped out and allow new people to join.
It appears that band membership was open to both young and old in the community. As soon as he was hired as band director, Mr. Dobyns wasted no time and held an organizational meeting the same night. The article mentions that 51 people joined, which is a much larger band than is pictured above. This is another reason we think there may have been two incarnations of the municipal band. It appears that many people appreciated the municipal band's efforts, but as is usual with many similar activities, just didn't want to pay the cost to operate it.
From the following articles, it appears that the band was originally (as least during 1927-1928) supported by local merchants, who grew tired of funding it in addition to other civic activities that they donated to. An election was held to switch the municipal band from an organization funded by donations to tax-based funding, but failed to carry. We do not know what happened to the band after these articles were printed, but know that they continued into the mid-1930s.
The Mt. Pleasant High School Band owes it's origins to the demise of the Mt. Pleasant Municipal Band. E.C. Brice, in his book "History of the Mt. Pleasant Schools 1858-1959", states "The City of Mt. Pleasant supported a municipal band for several years to about 1933, under the direction of Carrol Munden during 1930-1933. The band performed on many occasions, presenting public programs on the north side of the court-house square, at picnics, and other affairs. Soon after its disbandment the public began insisting that a high school band be organized."
Below we have included all of the articles that we found in 1928 newspapers that describe the Mt. Pleasant Municipal Band. Reading the articles gives a much better mental picture of band activities and better expresses the town's feelings of the day than we can do.
Please contact us if you have further information about the Mt. Pleasant Municipal Band, or photos of it.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tuesday, May 26, 1928
BAND LEADER CHOSEN MONDAY
WILL BEGIN WORK OF TRANING MUSICIANS HERE NEXT MONDAY MORNING
A meeting of the directors of the band association was held Monday afternoon, and O. A. Thrasher was chosen president of this organization and O. C. Lilienstern secretary.
Harmon Dobyns of Magnolia, Arkansas was present and was chosen as instructor for the coming year. Dobyns will move to Mt. Pleasant next Monday and begin his work as instructor and leader. Mr. Dobyns has some unusually good recommendations as a band instructor, and he and his family will prove valuable residents of Mt. Pleasant.
Mr. Dobyns has been instructor of the band at Magnolia for the past four years and has made a success with the bind at that place.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tuesday, May 30, 1928
BAND MEETING TONIGHT
Every person in Mt. Pleasant who is interested in the success of a band for this place is asked to attend the meeting at the Chamber of Commerce office tonight and meet Mr. Dobyns, the instructor. Mr. Dobyns wants to know all those who want to play in the band, and the meeting is for the purposes of organizing and ascertaining the kind of talent that is in Mt. Pleasant. The meeting will begin at 7 o'clock.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, May 30, 1928
GOOD ATTENDANCE BAND MEETING
TWENTY-THREE SIGNED UP TUESDAY NIGHT TO TAKE INSTRUCTION
That there is plenty of interest in a band for Mt. Pleasant was evidenced Tuesday night when a meeting was held in the Chamber of Commerce office for the purpose of assigning instruments to those who wish to join this musical organization.
There was a good attendance present, and twenty-three people agreed to take places in the organization and were assigned to the instruments that they are expected to play.
A large number of those who signed up have already had some experience in playing band instruments, and Mr. Dobyns, who has been chosen as instructor, will have a good nucleus from which to form a band. Mr. Dobyns begins active work next Monday, and in the course of a few weeks Mt. Pleasant will have the pleasure of hearing concerts played by our own musical talent.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Monday, June 6, 1928
Band Meeting Tonight
A meeting in the interest of the Mt. Pleasant Municipal Band will be held at the city hall tonight at 6:30 o'clock. All persons who want to play in the band or have an interest in it are asked to be present, as this meeting means much in the matter of organization.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tuesday, June 5, 1928
FINE PROSPECTS FOR BAND
A TOTAL OF 48 JOINED ORGANIZATION AFTER MEETING MONDAY NIGHT
A very enthusiastic band meeting was held Monday night at the City Hall, there being about 55 present on this occasion.
A complete organization was formed, and instruments were assigned to 15 players, with six additional assignments Tuesday morning. With a total of 48 already assigned, and the prospects of more members, the success of the band is thought to be assured. Some of the younger players are expected to drop out, but there will be enough left to have an excellent musical organization, and in a few months, Mt. Pleasant people can be assured of some excellent concerts.
Messrs. Curtis and McCollum, representing band houses at Dallas were here Monday and Tuesday, and had arranged for the sale of instruments to practically all of the members.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Saturday, June 9, 1928
PITTSBURG BAND CONCERT
LARGE CROWD HEARS SELECTIONS RENDERED HERE FRIDAY NIGHT
A large gathering met on the public square Friday night to hear the concert given by the Pittsburg band. This concert had been arranged by local people in order that the Mt. Pleasant people might see the benefits that may be derived from a musical organization in this city.
The Pittsburg band has been playing for several years, and rendered some excellent selections during its hour's concert here. Chairs had been placed on the high walk in front of Mason's store, and the crowd which came to listen occupied the street in front.
All who heard the band were favorably impressed, and comments were general Saturday that Mt. Pleasant is fortunate in having a band organization just starting out so that in a few months we may have a musical organization similar to that of our neighbor city to the south. Talks were made during the evening on cooperation between the two bands, expressing a desire to see them both playing some time under the same director.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Saturday, June 10, 1928
Band Meeting
There will be a band meeting Monday night at 7:00 o'clock. Thirty-four members have their instruments already, but we still have some open ranks, especially baritones and mellophones, so those expecting to join the band are again urged to make their decision by Monday night, and let's all get started together.
We already have a large band and others expect to join, but it will be much better for the band if all will start. Mr. McCollum and Prof. Dobyns have gone to Dallas to secure music and other supplies for the band, so if you have not made the selection of your instrument, see Mr. Dobyns Monday night. Last call!
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tuesday, July 31, 1928
BAND CONCERT TOMORROW NIGHT
MT. PLEASANT MUSICIANS WILL MAKE THEIR FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE
The Mt. Pleasant band, which was organized only a few weeks ago, will give its first public concert tomorrow night, and everybody should come out to hear it.
The concert will be given in front of the Titus Theatre, and the band will be assembled in the arch at the entrance. This arrangement is thought to be the best, as it is on the order of a regular band shell which throws the sound better than any other method.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Thursday, August 2, 1928
BAND CONCERT HELD WEDNESDAY NIGHT
The Mt. Pleasant band gave its first concert Wednesday night since its organization a few months ago. The band assembled under the entrance arch of the Titus Theatre, which was specially lighted fox the occasion, and a large crowd assembled to hear the selections. Mr. Dobyne, leader of the band, has succeeded in assembling some unusually good musical talent among the local boys and the music which was rendered was highly appreciated. Other concerts will be held at various times in the near future.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Thursday, August 9, 1928
GOOD WILL TOUR NEXT WEDNESDAY
MT. PLEASANT BUSINESS FIRMS TO VISIT THE NEARBY COMMUNITIES
Fifty local businessmen agreed to send cars on the 1928 Good Will and Fair Advertising Tour to be held August 14th and 21st, according to Sam Hays, who is General Chairman of the tour. Thirty-seven merchants are planning to give away souvenirs.
The committee hopes to have over one hundred representatives on each the two trips. Circulars are being distributed in the towns to be visited by the trippers advertising the fact that a good program will be given at each stop. The local Band is to give a concert in each town visited.
P. D. Thornton has been appointed chairman of cars, R. S. Ormand and Andrews Tagoras are in charge of souvenirs and W. E. McKinnon is program chairman.
All merchants who have not signed up to make the trip are asked to get in touch with Chairman Hays or the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce at once.
Towns and communities to be visited are: Cookville 9:30, Omaha 10, Naples 10:30, Daingerfield 12, Cason 1:10, Pittsburg 1:45.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, August 15, 1928
MAKE GOODWILL TOUR
LARGE NUMBER OF MT. PLEASANT PEOPLE ADVERTISE THE FAIR
To advertise the Titus County Fair, and also to extend greetings of good will to neighboring towns and communities, quite a number of Mt. Pleasant people left at nine o'clock Wednesday morning for a tour covering about 55 miles through the eastern part of Titus, Morris and Camp Counties.
The itinerary for the trip included Cookville, Omaha, Naples, Daingerfield, Cason and Pittsburg, and at each of these places stops were made and speakers talked about the things that are to be seen at the fair which is to be held on September 19, 20 and 21 in Mt. Pleasant.
The Mt. Pleasant band was included in the personnel of the party, and it rendered selections at each place where stops were made. Although the band has not been organized very long, it is capable of rendering some excellent music, and its playing was the means of attracting many people to hear it.
Souvenirs were carried along by a number of business concerns and quite a lot of advertising matter was distributed along the route of the tour.
A similar trip will be taken Wednesday of next week through the western part of Titus and in Franklin County.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, September 19, 1928
TYLER BOOSTERS HERE THURSDAY
ABOUT A HUNDRED PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED AT NOON ADVERTISING FAIR
The Chamber of Commerce has received notice that about a hundred Tyler citizens will visit Mt. Pleasant Thursday in the interest of the East Texas Fair, which will soon be held in that city.
The boosters will be accompanied by the famous Tyler Municipal Band, under the direction of Doc Witt, who at one time directed the band at this place. The Tyler band is one of the best musical organizations in East Texas, and Mt. Pleasant will be assured of a treat when this band arrives.
The boosters will arrive at 11:45, and will remain here for over an hour. Everybody is asked to be on the square to welcome the visitors at the time of their arrival.
Note: Titus History Website added bold print above for emphasis
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, December 12, 1928
BAND ELECTION SET FOR FRIDAY
FATE OF MUSICAL ORGANIZATION DEPENDENT ON RESULT OF ELECTION
The people of Mt. Pleasant will be called upon Friday to decide whether or not this city is to retain the band, which was organized during the past summer.
The band heretofore has been maintained by popular subscription pledges, but quite a number of the people who made pledges have failed to keep their promise of making monthly payments, and as a result quite a bit of trouble has been experienced in keeping the finances off the organization so that they will take care of the necessary expenses.
Many of those who are donating liberally to the upkeep of the band declare that if the band tax fails to carry Friday they will discontinue their pledges also, and of course the band will then disband. Quite a few of those, who are donating for this organization are those who are called upon to support every other institution working for the upbuilding of the town, and it is not fair to them to have to pay for everything when there are other citizens who never contribute to anything who get as much benefit from the band as anyone.
The only equitable way to maintain the band is through taxation, as it will divide the expense among those who profit from the growth of the city. The band tax will reduce the expenses of the public spirited citizens who are now contributing, and will draw some of the maintenance from those who never contribute to anything. The tax of 15 cents on the hundred dollar valuation is very, light and will not hurt anyone, but it will insure the retention of an organization that does much to add to the desirability of Mt. Pleasant as a place in which to live.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Thursday, December 13, 1928
ARGUMENTS ON BAND QUESTION
BOTH SIDES PRESENTED IN ARTICLES GIVEN US FOR PUBLICATION
Below we give both sides of the question of levying a tax for the support of a band in Mt. Pleasant. These articles were handed us by local citizen with request to publish so that the people of the city may make their decision as to whether or not to vote in favor of the tax in the election to be held Friday:
What the Band Tax Will do to Mt. Pleasant
Will raise the city tax rate from $1.25 to $1.40 or 12 per cent.
Will put the tax rate to within 10 cents of the limit allowed by law.
The tax rate should never exceed $1.40 as there should always be a margin of at least 10 cents to take care of any great emergency that might arise.
Therefore if the band tax carries it means that there will be no funds available for any city improvements for probably several years to come.
It means that there will be no more than 300 surface wells and the 400 dry closets within the city limits will continue to exist as a menace to the health of our people, because, there will be no funds available with which to construct water mains and sewer extensions needed to serve the several hundred people in Mt. Pleasant who are now without these conveniences. It also means that there will be no fund available for the paving, opening or widening of streets.
If we are going to spend this tax money, don't you think that the things just mentioned are more necessary than a band at $2700 a year? Those are the kind of improvements that the tax rate is reality intended to cover.
Is there any more reason for the city to levy a 15 cent tax to support a band, than it would be to levy a Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, Red Cross, similar tax to support the Chamber Community Chest or other worthy and necessary organizations?
Our town is progressing nicely, more than 80 new homes having been built within the past twelve months. Let's not slow down this progress by voting a band tax, a tax which once voted will take a vote of the people to remove.
The plea is made to some of the business men that this tax will cost them less than what they are now contributing. In some cases this may be true, but if this tax hurts your town it also hurts your business and it is liable to prove false economy.
Stop the music long enough to look a band, than it would be to levy a the facts in the face, and you will probably see that there are bigger things involved in this than whether or not Mt. Pleasant has a band.
But whatever your idea is, VOTE.
A CITIZEN.
A Band Helps in Time of Need
Music is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. Every town, every community, every growing city must have a band to assist in group development which results in a better citizenship.
A co-operative community spirit expresses itself first of all in an organized effort to play together. If a community can play together it soon learns to work together. A town with a good live band supported by all the people is like a magnet, it draws trade, business and investors. Music helped us win the war! It was a brass band that put over all our Liberty bond drives. It will be a brass band that will help Mt. pleasant get capital for a creamery, a hospital, or a community house.
Support the Mt, Pleasant band.
GEO. LILIENSTERN.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Saturday, December 15, 1928
BAND TAX LEVY DEFEATED FRIDAY
CITIZENS IN CLOSE CONTEST DECIDE AGAINST OPERATION OF BAND,
The proposal for the upkeep of a municipal band through taxation was defeated in the election held Friday by a majority of 24 votes, there having been 402 ballots cast. 223 votes were against the tax levy and 179 for it. The balloting was confined to property tax payers only, and the number of votes cast is evidence that considerable interest was manifested in the election.
The failure to vote the tax is said by those who have been most instrumental in the support of this musical organization to mean a discontinuance of the band for Mt. Pleasant, because of the unwillingness of the majority of the people to give it adequate support. In the past, the band had been maintained through popular subscription, the business concerns of the town, as usual in all civic enterprises, bearing the burden. Many of them express themselves as unwilling to continue paying for a public enterprise for the rest of the town.
A majority of the city officials expressed themselves as opposed to a tax levy because it would interfere with other improvements being planned. The supporters of the band tax, although disappointed in the results of the election, are now wanting to know just what these improvements are, and if they are of so much more importance than the band, are ready to begin work to put them over at once. Mt. Pleasant cannot afford to stop its march of progress because of the failure of one project.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Tuesday, December 18, 1928
[NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS BADLY TORN BEFORE IT WAS MICROFILMED. WE RECONSTRUCTED IT AS BEST POSSIBLE FROM WHAT WAS LEFT, BUT LARGE PARTS WERE MISSING. WORDING IS CLOSE, BUT MAY NOT BE EXACT.]
BAND MEETING
WILL TRY TO DEVISE SOME PLAN TO KEEP THIS ORGANIZATION GOING
The directors of the Band Association has called a meeting of citizens of the town who are interested in the keeping of a band in Mt. Pleasant, to be held at the Chamber of Commerce offices tomorrow evening at 7:00 o'clock, when means of financing the band will be considered.
In the face of the defeat for a tax to maintain the band last Friday, the association is confronted with problem of continuing the financing for this organization, and unless other assistance besides what is already being received is found, the town is going to lose the band which quite a number of people have made heavy investments in order to furnish instruments.
The entire town, and especially those who opposed the tax because they believed that some other form of financing the band should be used, but say they want such an organization in operation here, are each invited to attend, because they can then prove the sincerity of the arguments against the tax.
There is no doubt that a band is a good thing for the town, and each person of the city should have a: part in its support besides attending the free concerts.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Thursday, December 20, 1928
MAKING EFFORT TO RETAIN BAND
COMMITTEE WILL VISIT EVERYBODY FRIDAY TO SOLICIT FUNDS
A meeting of citizens interested in retaining the band for Mt. Pleasant was held at the Chamber of Commerce offices Wednesday night with an attendance of twenty, and it was decided that another effort would be put forth to secure enough subscriptions to retain this organization on a strong footing.
A number of talks were made in which it was brought out that quite a few citizens of the city had never been approached for a subscription to this organization and that many of them had expressed themselves as willing to contribute, knowing that a good musical organization is a big asset to any community and that practically everybody in town benefits by a band. This was evidenced by the large number of free concerts that have been given in the past, when large crowds have attended.
Those who hear the free concerts can make some contributions to the organization, because they derive a benefit from it.
Committee chairmen were appointed to visit persons who are not on the present list of subscribers with the hope that the amount of money received each month may be augmented to such an extent that the band may be retained. The following were appointed, with power to select such assistants as they wish: W. K. McClintock for the northeast part of town; O. M. Fuquay for the northwest, J. C. Brown for the southeast and John Holland for the southwest.
It was decided that the drive would be held Friday of this week, and everybody is requested to give the committee which visits them a respectful hearing and to contribute whatever they think they can to this fund.
The band is an organization from which no one receives anything except entertainment, and everybody should help support it, inasmuch as most of its energies are directed toward community improvement.
------
TO THE CITIZENS OF MT. PLEASANT
The directors of the Mt. Pleasant Band are appointed from representatives of several of the town's civic institutions, including the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, American Legion and Retail Merchants' Association, and we have been appointed by them as committee chairmen to solicit additional funds for financing our musical organization. Our committees will visit as many people as possible who are not subscribing to the support of the band at present, and we will try to see all of you on Friday, December 21st. We ask that you consider the importance of retaining our band, and that you will give the committees a respectful hearing, because they are taking their own valuable time to work for an institution which benefits you as well as them.
W. E. McCLINTOCK,
O. M. FUQUAY,
J.C. BROWN,
JOHN HOLLAND.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Friday, December 21, 1928
GOOD SHOWING IN DRIVE FOR BAND
COMMITTEES WERE BUSY FRIDAY TRYING TO SECURE ENOUGH FUNDS
Four committees were busy Friday in various parts of town soliciting funds for the continuation of the Municipal Band. The town had been divided into four sections corresponding to the voting boxes, and each committee had one of these sections to cover. They all reported at noon that they had been making successful drives, although at the time they did not have enough funds subscribed to meet the needs of the organization. However, they hoped that they would be able to secure sufficient aid to retain the band for the city, and if they did not get enough the first day there would be other days in which to work.
There are quite a number of well-to-do people in this city who are not contributing to this organization, who should have enough pride in the city to assist in the support of the band, because it is strictly a community project which benefits everybody.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Wednesday, May 22, 1929
BAND TO GIVE CONCERT SUNDAY
WILL PLAY ON COURT HOUSE LAWN DURING THE AFTERNOON
The Mt. Pleasant Band will render an open air concert on the court house lawn Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, and the public is invited to attend. Following is the program:
March, "American Red \3ross"- Panelli
Overture, "Mignonette" - Baumann
Valse Suite, "Alicia"- Moon
Popular, "Time After Time"- Ball
Characteristic, "A Summer Dream" - Flatch
Operatic Selection, "Traviati"- Verdi
Medley Overture, "Southern Songs" - Arr by Snybod
Introducing: "Hard Times Will Come No More," "My Old Kentucky Home," "Maryland, My Maryland," "Way Down Upon the Swaunee River," "Old Black Joe," "Dixie." etc.
March, "American Legion"- Dobyns
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Friday, May 31, 1929
OFFERS SITE FOR BAND CONCERTS
LOT WEST OF MAIN HOTEL BEING PUT IN SHAPE FOR USE OF THE BAND
Manager J. O. Clayton of the Main Hotel has offered the used of the vacant lot just west of the hotel for the use of the Mt. Pleasant Band as a place to render concerts during the summer, and Thursday and Friday workmen were busy with teams and scrapers, leveling the property for this purpose.
The lot comprises a fourth of a block and is convenient to the business section. There is plenty of room for parking of cars and it can be easily arranged to provide seats for a large crowd on the lot. Plans will be formulated at once to arrange for some sort of a structure to be used as a bandstand so that the music can be available to everybody and the players can be provided with light and with seating arrangements.
Mr. Clayton's action in tendering the property to the public so long as it is vacant is a very commendable one, and no doubt will be highly appreciated by the public when the band begins to render their concerts there.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Thursday, June 6, 1929
BAND CONCERT FRIDAY NIGHT
MASS MEETING WILL ALSO BE HELD TO LAY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
The band will give a concert in the open Friday night, beginning at 7:30 with the following program:
March. "Full Broadside"-Hildreth
Overture, "Mignonette"-Baumann
Valse Suite "Alicia'- Moon
Popular, (a)-"The World is Waiting for the Sunrise" Selts; (b) "Time After Time" - Ball
Characteristic, "A Summer Dream" -Flath
Medley Overture (requested) "Southern Songs"-Dobyns
Operatic Selection, "II Trovatore" - Verdi (introducing Anvil Chorus)
March, "American Legion"- Dobyns
National Anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner"-Arr. by Snybod
Following the program a mass meeting to determine the future of the band will be held at the court house, and everybody interested in keeping a musical organization in Mt. Pleasant is urged to attend this meeting. Under the present mode of operations, the band is not self sustaining and some plan of increasing its revenue will have to be devised.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Saturday, July 13, 1929
BAND CONCERT FRIDAY NIGHT
GOOD CROWD HEARS FINE PROGRAM BY THE LOCAL BAND
The Mt. Pleasant Municipal Band gave an exceptionally good program Friday night. The music rendered on this program was far beyond the music played by the average band in the class of the local band, which is only one year old. Most of the music on the program is usually played by professional musicians of five to twenty years of experience.
The people of Mt. Pleasant should be more than proud to have such a valuable asset to the town.
The attendance of this concert was estimated at about one thousand people.
Each member of the band is striving to give the people of our community the beat. There will be another concert July 26th, which we think will be well worth your time.
Mt. Pleasant Daily Times, Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Saturday, August 10, 1929
BAND DRAWS BIG AUDIENCE
OPEN AIR CONCERT GIVEN FRIDAY NIGHT WAS WELL ATTENDED
The Mt. Pleasant Band gave another excellent open air concert on the public square Friday night, drawing an unusually large attendance, many people coming from a distance to listen to the music.
The program was a good one, and was well rendered. It covered a variety of music, and appealed to all classes of people. Each number was greeted with continued applause.
Judging from the attendance at these concerts, there is quite a bit of interest shown in the Mt Pleasant Band, and a more pronounced effort should be made to increase the financial support of this organization in order to secure its continued operation.
Mount Pleasant Daily Times, Mount Pleasant, Texas
Friday, May 9, 1930
BAND TO GIVE CONCERT TONIGHT
WILL PRESENT TEN NUMBERS IN VARIED PROGRAM ON PUBLIC SQUARE
The Mt. Pleasant Band will render a concert tonight on the square, with on excellent program of various kinds of music arranged. The band has been holding regular practice for some time lately, and is said to be in a position to render some good music. Mason's store will be used by the band as a meeting place, the front being arranged so that the musicians can be accommodated for seats.
The program is as follows:
"Down Main Street," March- Weidt
"Fragrant Flowers," Novelette- Allen
"Lilies of the Valley," - Waltz- Flath
"My Old Kentucky Home" and "Mazza's in de Cold, Cold Ground," Foster
"To the Front," March- Weidt
Intermission.
"The Winner," March-Allen
"Whispering leaves," Reverie- Hildreth
"Priscilla," Characteristic Dance- Weidt
"Mountain. Laurd," Waltz- Weidt
"The Home Town Band," March - Allen
Mount Pleasant Daily Times, Mount Pleasant, Texas
Thursday, May 22, 1930
FINANCE YOUR BAND
There are events, too numerous to mention, such as parades, trades trips, fairs and many social gatherings, which without a band are dead events. Unfortunately, the band is never thought of until something comes up where its services are indispensable, then on a last minute's notice, a frantic effort is made to get together something resembling a band. Why not support and have a band at your disposal, a band ready to play for any occasion. Those who contribute to the maintenance of the band will be more than repaid during the coming months and years.
A concert will be given just as soon as the weather will permit, the concert, having been rained out twice last week.
