With the ending of World War I, many communities began organizing special monthly parades of returning soldiers with floats and marching bands. In May, 1927, a group of enthusiastic and enterprising musicians met in the Deansboro Garage for the purpose of organizing what they called the Deansboro Community Band. Organizers of one of the first band concert were: General Committee, Peter Klotzbach; Ralph Moore; Roy McMullen; and Clark Shaver. Parade Committee: Clarence Blunt, Charles Pierce and Art Pughe; Hill Climb (for cars!) Del Pamiter, Gardner Hart, Hardie Sanders; Baseball Jay Davis, C.F. Ingersoll.
This energetic group, consisting of young men from all over the Town of Marshall, treated the residents of Deansboro to a concert every Tuesday. Harry Goodson remembers that these concerts, for the most part, were performed on the back of a flatbed truck in front of the general store, probably built by Don Williams, and were called Open Air concerts. Soft drinks, hot dogs, and ice cream were sold; and Art Sanders' grandmother popped a lot of popcorn which Art sold for a nickel a bag. On a good night, he made as much as $5.00!. People either stood around, listened and applauded; or sat in their cars and honked their horns with appreciation after each number Concerts were also held on the front lawns of many homeowners. Eleanor Dawes met her husband Bob at an open air concert in front of the Dean Homestead. He was from Clinton, so you see the band had a wide audience. They also held concerts in the Maccabee Hall, in Oriskany Falls, in the village park in Clinton, for the Paris Hill Fair and the Vernon Fair, and Waterville. The band also furnished music on past Memorial Days.
Of course, this was not the first band out of Deansboro: there is evidence there was a band as early as 1898, but nothing much can be found out about this. The later band had at least two directors: Harry M. Williams of Utica; and John Albrecht, formerly with the famous Sousa band, also of Utica. In addition, there were bylaws and officers: president, R.E. Thayer; vice president, Peter Klotzbach; secretary, O.E. Buckingham; treasurer Walter Steinmann; manager I. Weaver; librarian Raymond Thayer. At its inception, the band had 21 members, rising to 30 over the years. The picture below shows the band, but the date is unknown. Since it went from 1927 until 1941 (the last instance I could find of the Deansboro Band), most likely the personnelchanged from year to year. Donald Bennett was a frequent soloist.
The concert usually consisted of a mix of classical music and favorites of the time. An example of the music offered by the Deansboro band was detailed in a Utica Daily Press article from 1931. The program included the following selections: "Cruiser Omaha (a march) by King; Stilly Night by Huff; "Empyream" by Hayes; "Sunset Limited" by Holmes; "Over the Stars" by King; "Golden Book Medley" by Kroyman; "Under the Double Eagle" by Wagner; "I'm Happy When You're Happy"; "Officer of the Day"; and "America," which concluded every concert.
The Deansboro Band also sponsored field days. The first was in 1929, which drew more than 2000 people to the hamlet. There was a parade in the morning with floats, decorated bicycles and decorated cars, a ball game in the afternoon, and a dance at Maccabee Hall in the evening. Subsequent field days were just as popular, including more attractions such as a time race, a hill climb, horseshoe tournaments, and a boxing match but always ending with dancing. To express their appreciation to the many neighboring villages which supported the field days, the band performed concerts in those villages which were well received, the band being referred to as "wide awake," "a pleasure to listen to," "delightful," and with "excellent musicianship."
Many thanks to Bill Kennard for the Deansboro Band memorabilia and memories!
Waterville Times, 1929
The first annual field day of the Deansboro Band drew more than 2,000 to this village yesterday. The event was a success from the parade in the morning, led by W.R. Small, followed by the band, to the dance at Maccabee Hall at night, which concluded the program. Spirited contests for men, women, children and motors were held during the day. There was but one accident. Betsy Blunt, 6 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Blunt suffered a broken leg as she was struck by a motor as she was crossing the road at the four corners late in the afternoon. She was removed to Faxton Hospital in the evening. The Clark Mills 9 defeated the Rome Senators in the ball game. The weather was ideal - no rain falling. Harold Scott of the Utica Flying Service was there with a plane to give the crowd some thrills in stund flying, and he took up passengers. The band, assisted by some of the boys from neighbor bands, furnished a most pleasing concert from 7 to 9. The day's entertainment was finished with a dance at Maccabee Hall which included a prize waltz, won by Hubbard Brandis and Helen Cotter. The band wishes to thank their friends in the neighboring towns who so generously supported them in the advertising on programs, the committees and home folks who gave unsparingly of their time and efforts to make this, their first annual field day, the success they hoped for.
Waterville Times, 1930
The Second annual field day of the Deansboro band proved to be a real success. Nearly 1500 people thronged the village streets Saturday to witness the parade and races. The opening feature was the parade led by Supervisor William R. Small and the band. Many gaily decorated cars and floats made up the procession. Prizes were offered for the best decorated car and the funniest and the judges had a hard time making their selection. The award for the best decorated car was given to Clarence Tolhurst of Clinton. The car was bedecked with huge baskets of gladiolas and attracted a great deal of favorable comment. Honorable mention was given to Benjamin Smith of Deansboro. The funniest car proved to be a 1912 Buick driven by "Amos and Andy." This fresh air taxi also attracted considerable attention. It was driven by the Misses Alice and Alia Grower. An "Amos and Andy" driving a team of mules was given honorable mention. Grant Shaver and William Bishopp were the drivers. Two other groups were considered by the judges, and for organizations floats the Home Bureau and the Traveller's Clubs were mentioned. In the historical floats the judges decided that the oxcart at one time owned by Plumb Loomis was worthy of mention as well as the barouche owned by Seymour Lloyd. The judges were Howard Miller, Deansboro; Dr. O. J. Pollard. Oriskany Falls and T. H. Townsend. Waterville. The hill climb, a one and two-tenths mile climb, was won by Storey Brothers in a Chevrolet roadster In 1:565.4 In the class for cars under $1.000 while the McRoric Sautter Motor Car Company or Utica captured the free-for-all In an Oakland Kight in 1.43. In the secret time race Clarence Lloyd of Deansboro and the entry of the Deansboro Feed & Lumber Company under Driver Gallup finished In a tie.
Deansboro Event Proves Big Success in Deansboro
Utica Daily Press - 1936
Success marked the annual field day of the Deansboro Band Saturday. Deansboro won at softball from New York Centrals of Utica, 9-8; Waterville baseball team won from Whitesboro, 10-5; and the Waterville Textile team of the Oneida-Madison league defeated an all star outfit 4-1. In the horseshoe contest Joseph Billings, Jr.. Oriskany Falls defeated B. Randall of Utica. A parade and dance were also included in the day's program. Frank Peterson. 68, was seriously Injured during the ball game when a bat slipping from the hands of a player struck him in the head. He was taken to Faxton Hospital. Utica. for treatment. It is feared his skull was fractured.
Deansboro Band to Hold Concert
Utica Daily Press, 1940
The second of the Tuesday night concerts by Deansboro band, led by John H. Albrecht -will be offered this week with these numbers: "American Eagle;" "Simple Aveu," - Thome; "Fort Gay" (march) -Huff; "Water Lillies," (waltz) - King; "The Cadet's Own," (march) -Laurendean; "The Silent Rose" - Herbert; "Three Rings March" -Talbot; "Evening Shadows" (serenade) - King; "Beatrice Band" (march) Laurendean; "Rifle Rangers" (march) King; "America" - Carey. The concert will begin at 8:00 p.m.
