website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of
Watertown, Wisconsin
Chapter
on Bands & Orchestras
1847
07 07 A
BAND
A few young men of this village are making
another attempt to get up a band of music.
It is proposed that our citizens purchase the instruments and give the
band the use of them. About $150 would
be required for this purpose—a sum which we presume might readily be
raised. A good band is much needed here,
and we see not why we may not have one.
WC
1860
10 05 Watertown
Brass Band at County Fair at Jefferson WR
12 13 Watertown
Brass Band at New Year’s celebration WD
1866 WATERTOWN’S FIRST BAND
A picture of Watertown’s first band organized in 1866,
composed of Al Rutherford, Otto Schulerman, W. D. Sproesser, William F. Quentmeyer,
Carl Nowack, William Sommerfelt, Frank Kartak, Fred Pohlmann, one unknown.
1868
-- -- WATERTOWN
CORNET BAND PICTURED
Very few people today know that Watertown
back in 1868 had an organization known as the Watertown Cornet Band and even
fewer people know who the members of the organization were. It consisted of 9 members and a picture of
the group has lately come to light through the W. D. Sproesser
Co, which has in its possession one of the pictures. The picture has been framed and placed on
display in the company's window. 8 of
the 9 men in the group have been identified, but William Sproesser,
who placed the picture on display, says he is unable to tell who the 9th man
is. If any "old timers" see
the picture and happen to know who the man is, Mr. Sproesser
will appreciate it if they report it to him.
The 8 whose names have been placed on the picture include A. Rutherford,
A. Schuelermann, F. Pohlmann, W. F. Quentmeyer, C. Sommerfeld, Frank Kartack,
W. D. Sproesser and C. J. Noack. WDTimes article of 10 01 1928
1870
WATERTOWN EARLY GERMAN TRUMPET BAND (same
as Cornet Band?)
Organized in 1870.
1883
06 27 PHILHARMONIC CORNET BAND / The Fourth at Concordia
Concordia Island will be an attractive spot on the Fourth next Wednesday. Picnicking will be the order of the day amid
the sylvan shades in this favorite retreat and the hours will be enlivened with
sweet chords of music from the Philharmonic Cornet Band. Arrangements have been made for grand balloon
ascensions and other amusements during the afternoon. WR
07 04 Philharmonic
Band, 1883, Parade,
school children to Concordia Island
1800s, late
George Spohn, pictured with zither, late
1800s.
1890
07 09 NEW CORNET BAND
The Fourth of July
has passed in this city had a sort of free-for- all turn about it, our people
mostly rendering homage to the anniversary with a true spirit of
independence. Bunting was profusely
displayed along the streets, and the fire cracker was ever present and of good
report. The largest muster of people was
at Turner park, where the new cornet band held forth from the pavilion, and
Miss Pauline Voss read the declaration of independence. In the city park a number of families partook
of their dinner, which was spread from numerous well-filled baskets taken to
the grounds, tables and seats having been provided. Many pleasantly chatted and visited under the
teepees during the afternoon, while the young people, with a few older ones
mixed in for variety, engaged in frolic and amusement in the shaded recesses of
the enclosure. WR
HARDEGE’S ORCHESTRA
06 04 EIGHT-PIECE BAND
Watertown
is at last possessed of a band, one having been recently organized under the
leadership of C. J. Wenck, composed of eight pieces. The band practices in rooms in the Electric
Light building. It has seemed one of the
strangest of strange things for a musical city like Watertown to be without a
band. We trust that the new organization
will meet with every encouragement and be well supported. It is due to the interest of our city that
the band be well sustained. WR
1895
03 13 "HAYSEED" BAND OF THE "JOSH SPIUCEBY
The "Hayseed" band of the "Josh Spiuceby" company appeared on the streets shortly
before noon yesterday, singly or in pairs, dressed in typical
"hayseed" attire, and mingled with the crowds of country people,
causing considerable merriment to those who watched them. Finally the members gathered at the post
office corner and a band concert was given.
WR
05 22 BAND CONCERTS AT CITY PARK
The open-air band concerts at the city park were
inaugurated last evening by the Watertown Cornet band. A large crowd was on hand to listen to the
music, and the concerts, which will be given regularly until further notice,
promise to be quite popular. The common
council has granted the band the use of the land for this purpose. WR
c.1895
OLD DUTCH BAND
Members
of the "Old Dutch Band" rehearsing in the office of the old Fuermann Brewery.
(l-r)
William Grossert, Don Harbeck, H. Riemstead, and
William Sergel, the director.
Spectators
(l-r) Theodore Koerner and William Goecke.
OLD DUTCH BAND (assumed)
Men in front of the Fuermann Brewery office, presumably members of the
"Old Dutch Band"
1898 WATERTOWN
BAND IN 1898
Members were: W. Jones, E. Haack, A. Polzin, A. Dietor,
A. Krebs, G. Stube, M. Voight, G. Kunert, W. Kusel, E. Tank, G. Goodnette, and G, Henke.
c.1899 WATERTOWN’S
FAMOUS BAND
A
comic band, circa 1899, the
"Watertown’s Famous Band."
This was obviously a joke or comic band created during the Harvest Jubilee in Sept., 1899. This image was taken inside the office of the
old Fuermann brewery on S. First and Jones
streets. Instruments are all made of
cardboard, and also note the various music titles. The two gents on the floor are wearing
uniforms of the Sinnissippi Band.
1900
02 13 NEW ORCHESTRA FORMED
It may not be generally known that a
new orchestra has been organized in this city, consisting of twenty
members. The organization has for its
purpose the production of the better class of orchestral music, and will prove
of special value, in an instructive way, to its members. The founders have labored incessantly to
interest the players of the city in the enterprise, and the result is a very
creditable organization, which ought to be encouraged by our citizens in every
way. The club will make its initial
appearance tomorrow evening at the entertainment arranged for the visiting
dairymen at Turner Opera house, for which it has offered its services. WR
1902
03 14 JOHN PHILIP SOUSA PERFORMS IN WATERTOWN
Our music-loving people have not been given
such a treat for many a day as was vouchsafed to them last Monday afternoon
when John Philip Sousa and the famous band visited our city, giving one
concert. Turner
Hall Opera House was filled with a most admiring and appreciative audience,
composed of some of our best people, and quite a large contingent from
neighboring towns, special trains being run to accommodate them. From the moment that Sousa, with his fine
military bearing and the numerous decorations bestowed upon him during his
recent visit to Europe, made his appearance on the stage, until the close of
the concert, the interest manifested was intense; each number was enthusiastically
applauded and the musicians were very generous in responding to encores. The trombone solo by Arthur Pryor, the
soprano solo by Miss Maud Reese Davies, and violin solo by Miss Dorothy Hale,
were all very much enjoyed and heartily applauded. While every number was good, we think the
ones most enjoyed were the part from La Tosca and "The Night
Hall." Sousa went from here by
special train to Fond du Lac. WG
03 15 SOUSA'S BAND CONCERT
The young men who have special charge
of providing entertainments for our city are to be commended for their efforts
to secure the highest class of talent and the best of its class. The coming of Sousa’s band demonstrated the
fact that our people will patronize merit.
Turner Opera House was seldom filled with a larger or more appreciative
audience than the one that assembled Monday afternoon to welcome the great
musician and his corps of trained artists.
Almost every city and village within a
radius of thirty miles was represented.
Oconomowoc, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Clyman, Juneau and
towns of lesser note had fair delegations of the music loving.
Manager Wertheimer is to be
congratulated upon his latest success.
WR
03 28 PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA ORGANIZED
A new
orchestra to be known as the Philharmonic orchestra with William Bethke (*)
leader, is being organize in this city and will make its first
public appearance shortly after Easter, when it will give a benefit concert and
dance. The orchestra will be composed of
seven instruments, violin, piano, cornet, clarinet, viola, trombone and traps
(**). A good orchestra is one of the
needs of a city the size of Watertown and the organization should be helped in
every way possible by liberal patronage.
A musical organization like the one contemplated can be maintained but
in no other way and the fact that it encourages local talent should not be lost
sight of. There is plenty of musical
talent in Watertown which may be encouraged and this is one way of doing so.
(*)
Wm. Bethke was named manager of the Turner
Opera House in July of 1904.
(**)
A trap set is a collection of drums and other percussion instruments,
typically cymbals, played by a single player.
08 02 THACKER’S
BAND PRIDE OF OUR CITIZENS
All Recognize Them as Musicians of
Proficiency
Free Open Air Concerts Given
Only Hope of Reward is Appreciation
That Should Be Most Liberal
There is no doubt but that our citizens
appreciate Thacker’s band, but we are inclined to the belief, not to the extent
the band deserves. All who have heard
the band, and we presume that there is not a person in the city who has not,
recognize the members as musicians of merit, entitled to consideration because
of their proficiency and disposition to favor the public with concerts without
other hope of reward than appreciation for their efforts to please and
entertain.
Wednesday evenings they give free
concerts upon Main Street to which all are invited to listen and be
entertained.
The members are all excellent young
men, among the best in the city and an honor and credit to Watertown for whom
the city should not withhold encouragement and support, which should be of a
substantial character. Mr. Thacker, the
director, has been indefatigable in his efforts to bring the band up to a high
standard of excellence and the members have been faithful in their practice as
is evidenced by their playing, which shows that they have been painstaking in
their work.
The members of the band are:
Director, Frank Thacker
Fifes, George Wenck, Chris Oreding
Clairinets. Max Beyerlein, E. Schultz, Fred De
Wald, Art Bolzin
Cornets, Frank Kopp, E. Haak, J. Fowle,
Theo. Sonneman, Herman Borchardt, W. Simon
Baritones, Aug. Model, A. Zimmerman, A.
Radtke
Trombones, James O’Brien, Earl Fix, A.
Krueger
Bass. Geo. Krueger, W. Schmidt
Drums, F. Kehr, Joe Koester. WR
1907
02 15 IMPERIAL
MINSTRELS
The Imperial
Minstrels scored a decided hit at the Turner Opera House, the hall being
packed to its utmost capacity and hundreds were turned away and refused tickets
of admittance of even standing room.
1908
05 01 VIOLIN MADE BY CHARLES WITTE
Harry J. Stube of the Weber-Stube
orchestra is playing a violin made by Charles Witte, a young man residing on
rural route No. 3. The instrument is
that perfect in construction and tone that Mr. Stube has laid his $65.00
instrument aside and is using the one manufactured by the young farmer. Mr. Witte has given of ability as a
mechanic. His first attempt was about
two years ago, when he made a violin out of a cigar box. Later he contrived an instrument of a rather
crude shape, but nearer the perfect. The
third attempt was the modern instrument now being played by Mr. Stube. He (Witte) spent some time in studying the
rudiments of construction and last winter applied his knowledge to a practical
test and the result is that he has an instrument that will demand a good price
. . . It is said that Mr. Witte had nothing but crude tools, but nevertheless
he has accomplished a perfect piece of workmanship. The violin was left with Mr. Stube to place a
value on the same. WL
Watertown Band in 1908. Ed
King, Lou Arndt, Harry Warner, Capt. Carl Block, L. Pimple, William Struck, Bob
Archie, Otto Kohls, Henry Moser, Adolph Krebs, James O'Brien, Ed Lemke, William
Kuester, G. Sauer, Herman Hilgendorf. Mr. Rose, Hubert Pagel, Martin
Koenig, Art Goeldner; W. Korguist, George Terwedo, Ed Prochnow, J. Butzler, & Carl Otto.
07 30 BANDS LEADS FIRST INTERURBAN DOWN MAIN STREET
Mayor Arthur Mulberger
was on hand to extend the official welcome of the city to the first
interurban and at Main Street a band was waiting which marched down the
street ahead of the car while every whistle in Watertown sounded a note of
welcome.
1909
01 01 JUVENILE BAND AT RICHWOOD
Ed. Boch, William Thauer, Irving Schoeberle, Herbert
Lange, Percy Volkert, Raymond Volkert, Winfield McCall, Francis McCall, Edward
McCall, Vernon Etscheid, Raymond Carroll, Bennie
Carroll, Freddie Ihde, Arthur Seibel, Oscar Lemmerhirt,
Edw. Giese, Leo Zoellick, Theo. Hoefs and Oscar Hoefs have organized a juvenile
band at Richwood, with Herbert Schroeder as instructor. Shortly after organizing, the band
paraded around Richwood, headed by Peter Thauer, John Scheberle,
John Carroll, H. F. Lange and F. J. McCall. H. F. Lange officiated as drum major
and F. J. McCall as sergeant at-arms.
01 08 MORE ON BANDS IN RICHWOOD / OLD-TIME
RICHWOOD BAND
And once upon a time, in the dim and distant past, there was
another band in Richwood. It
was organized in 1869 or 1870, with Prof. John Miller of Watertown as
instructor. The band
consisted of twelve members, as follows: John Driscol, leader; Jerry Driscol,
John Kelley, John Carroll, John McCall, William Hanley, Philip Riley, John
Kerr, Henry Bergen, Michael Quinn, James J. Solon and Stephen White. The rehearsals, once or twice a week,
were held in the old red school house at Richwood and the meetings were a
source of considerable pleasure to the members, as they greatly relieved an
otherwise monotonous life. The
first time the band attempted to march and play, at the same time, there was a
"parting of the ways." The
great feat was attempted at a picnic in Adam Schneider's grove. Each player had his eyes glued to his
little book and, with red face and bulging cheeks, he proceeded on his journey
over sticks, stones and logs. When
the "tune” was finished two of the boys were in Norton's marsh, one fell
down and the other nine were scattered through the brush, several rods
apart. The marked feature
of the selection were explosive notes caused by high stepping. Later on, however, the boys learned
how to play some and in 1872 came right to the front in the Greeley campaign
[Horace Greeley, an unsuccessful candidate for President in 1872]. About the year 1874, some of the
original members began to drop out and others took their places. The organization continued to exist
until the instruments were sold to the Sacred Heart College boys in Watertown about 1877 or
1878. Of the twelve
original members, all are living except Bill Hanley, who died many years
ago. John Discoll lives in Janesville, Jerry Driscoll resides at
Superior . . . WG
-- -- JUVENILE BAND AT WATERLOO, YOUNGEST BOY
BAND IN U.S.
Waterloo, Wisconsin
c.1910 SMALL TRIO
A small trio made of up William Jones, drums, Mr. Guse, violin, and
Mr. Zoellick on accordion, circa 1910.
c.1910 UNIDENTIFIED WATERTOWN BAND
An unidentified Watertown Band, circa 1910 or so. It is worth noting that most of these players drifted between bands and
later were the founding members of the Watertown Municipal Band.
c.1910 KLEINMANN’S PHILLIPS “66” RADIO ORCHESTRA
Lowell, WI
1911
09 14 MILITARY
BAND AT STATE FAIR
The Watertown Military Band furnished
the music at the state fair on Wednesday and a large delegation of Watertown
people accompanied the band, it requiring four interurban cars to accommodate
them. WG
-- -- MILITARY
BAND AT TURNER HALL
-- -- SLOAN
ORCHESTRA MILITARY BAND
1911
1912
05 30 BAND
CONVENTION SLATED FOR WATERTOWN
The big band convention to be held at
Watertown, Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9, promises to be one of the largest
gatherings of musicians ever held in the state.
At least 30 bands from the southern part of the state will participate —
some of the best organizations in the country.
Elaborate preparations are being made for the entertainment of visitors
and a big time is promised all who attend.
Among the special features for Saturday will be a gorgeous floral
parade, which promises to be the finest spectacle ever witnessed in this
vicinity. Another feature will be a ball
game. Saturday evening there will be a
beautiful illuminated parade, followed by band concerts, dances at musician’s
headquarters, etc. On Sunday, at noon, a
grand parade of over 500 musicians will be held, followed by a monster picnic
on Tivoli Island, one of the finest picnic parks
in the state, at which there will be special band concerts by each of the
visiting bands, with plenty of other amusement features. In the evening the park will be brilliantly
illuminated and the festivities will close with band concerts and a dance in
the pavilion.
The
convention will attract thousands of visitors who can count on being royally
entertained. Watertown never does
anything by halves and everything possible is being done to make this the most
successful gathering of musicians ever held.
Arrangements
have been completed whereby the C. M. & St. P. Ry. will run special trains
from Madison and Portage to Watertown on Sunday morning, returning late in the
evening. A special train will also leave
for intermediate points Sunday evening.
Visitors from south of Watertown will be accommodated by the regular
Sunday excursion trains. For further
particulars address Herman Wertheimer, president, Watertown, Wis. WG
06 08 BAND CONVENTION PARTICIPANTS
Northwestern College Band and Military Company
BAND CONVENTION DECIDED SUCCESS
Watertown Was Visited by the Largest
Crowds in the History of the City
The band convention held in the city on
Saturday and Sunday was a marked success in every particular. It was pronounced the best and most largely
attended band convention ever held in southern Wisconsin. The weather throughout the two days was
ideal. Business places and many
residences were decorated for the occasion and Main Street presented a
beautiful spectacle in its gala attire.
The first big event of the convention was the automobile floral parade
Saturday afternoon. The bands
participating were the T.M.E.R.&L. Cos., Milwaukee; Imperial, Northwestern
College and military company, Watertown.
A feature of the parade was the
military aspect furnished by the Northwestern College military company in
uniform and carrying arms. The boys were
given generous cheers and plaudits, which was shared by their band which
accompanied them.
06 08 FLORAL PARADE / BAND CONVENTION
07 19 IMPERIAL BAND PLANS FOR A
GRAND CARNIVAL
The
Imperial band of Watertown have made arrangements with the Great Capital City
Amusement Co. to hold a week's carnival, beginning Monday, August 5th,
including Saturday night, August 10th.
The band has not been given a benefit for some time and as Watertown is
not going to have a circus this season the boys have secured the above company
under their auspices.
The
company consists of 8 big moral shows, a Giant Ferris Wheel, a 20th Century
Carry-Us-All, 3 sensational free attractions and a circus band. The Imperial band will turn out every evening
and render concerts on the show grounds.
This
will be one of the biggest efforts ever attempted by the band and should have
the support of every citizen. The first
performance will open Monday evening at 7:30 and every afternoon and evening
during the engagement. Among the special
features in the free attractions will be the De'Claravilles,
one of the world's greatest aerial acts.
Free
admission to the carnival grounds. Illuminations will be one of the features.
See
advertisements on bill board for further particulars. WG
1914
-- -- WATERTOWN MILITARY BAND OUTING
11 19 WATERTOWN SAXOPHONE ORCHESTRA
The
popularity of this celebrated orchestra is steadily and rapidly increasing as
can readily be seen from the number of engagements they have for this fall and
the coming winter, among which is that at Doylestown, Wis., where they will
play Thanksgiving evening at the C.O.I. Ball.
Manager P. Neitzel says they have purchased new instruments and music
and that they are kept busy filling their engagements. WG
12 24 WATERTOWN SAXOPHONE ORCHESTRA
This
popular orchestra will play at dances at the following places: Richwood, December 28, 1914; Cambridge, Dec.
29, 1914; Rio, Dec. 30, 1914; Watertown, Dec. 31, 1914; Randolph, Jan. 1, 1915. After these dates are filled, Manager Neitzel
says the orchestra will go on a three weeks’ tour giving concerts and
furnishing music for some of the high class dances throughout the state, at the
conclusion of which their services will be given, for a medium charge, to any
one desiring a high class orchestra, either for concerts or dances. For engagements call on P. Neitzel 1005 Fifth
Street. Phone 75-x, Watertown, Wis. WG
09
30 WATERTOWN CITY BAND FOUNDED
Watertown Band Newly
Organized.
The Watertown
Military Band and the Watertown Imperial Band were merged at
a meeting of the respective organizations held on Tuesday evening. The band will hereafter be known as the
Watertown City Band, which has been incorporated, the register number being
234828. The following officers were chosen:
President
— William Hose.
Vice
President — Edward Woelffer.
Secretary
— W. Weihert.
Treasurer
— A. M. Schmeichel.
Directors — George Krueger, one year; W. Weihert, two years; William Hose, three
years. WG
12 17 WATERTOWN SAXOPHONE ORCHESTRA
A flaring full-page poster on our desk announces a Grand Mask Ball in
Turner Hall, Watertown, tomorrow evening, Dec. 18, 1915. The ball is given under the auspices of the
Watertown Boosters’ Pleasure and Social Club.
About 50 prizes will be distributed among the winning maskers. Music by the Watertown Saxophone
Orchestra. WG
c.1915
-- -- UNCERTAIN OCCASION
1916
08 08 SAXOPHONE BOYS GO ON EXTENDED TRIP
They all
“love the ladies,”’ except manager “Bill”
The Saxophone Concert and Dance orchestra left on Thursday for an
extended trip through the West. As the
orchestra has played most towns of Wisconsin and Iowa, they will only play a
few of the larger cities in these states, thereafter they will work in
Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska and other western territory.
The boys have covered a big territory in the last two years and at every
engagement have shown their ability as real musicians. The orchestra is under the direction and
management of W. H. Ketelhut, with William Fleuter,
solo; George Ryan, alto; Emil Ketelhut, tenor; Arthur Wilde, baritone; Alvin
Shissler, drums; Arthur McDonald, advance agent.
Mr. MacDonald left several days ago and is arranging bookings through
Iowa and the other territory to be covered by the orchestra.
The boys are looking ahead for a big season as they have a new up-to-date
program of the latest dance music, which will surely make a hit. If the music does not, the boys surely will,
as they all “love the ladies,”’ except manager “Bill” who plays every night his
little tune, “Good-bye Girls I’m Through.”
At that he has nothing on his brother, who has played that tune so long
that his horn is worn through. He has
sent to the factory for a new gold-plated saxophone which he will get on the
road.
Fleuter, known as “Whistle,” will lead the new duet waltz, “I Can Love the Girl
Who Loves a Home,” and is in hopes the girls will take notice.
Ryan, known as “Shorty,” with his new baseball game hates to leave his
partner “Chaw” Powers, but “Shorty” says he doesn’t like to “howler.” “That don’t count.”
Wilde, known as “Cap,” had a steady friend this last vacation while the
boys were here. He sure will have a hard
time breaking away, but they say “absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Shisler, known as “Red,” liked them all but he had a hard time finding
one while here, but sure makes the hit away from home. He devotes most of his time on his new
xylophone.
MacDonald, the advance man, who is making the path for the boys, is
sending back good reports.
The boys will leave Thursday on an early train making their first stop at
Ridgeway. Wis., and from there will work direct west.
It is hoped that the boys will keep up their good work in booming this
city as they have done on their trips.
Watertown is proud of the work and the success that the boys have met
with. With the bookings that they have
made of late it sure looks as if they have struck the road to success and the
city is unanimous in hoping that they are never shunted into a side road. The Watertown News
07 16 ST.
JOHN’S INDEPENDENT BAND
BAND BOYS MAKE MERRY AT THEIR ANNUAL
PICNIC
The picnic given by St. John’s Independent band at the Sauerkraut club on Sunday was a success and a
most enjoyable affair from every stand point.
Early in the morning
the live wire delegation was on the spot, and preparations were made for the
crowd which soon began to arrive.
Fishing and bathing were in order, and many of the younger ones of the
party pitted their strength against the current in the river which is some
stream just now at that point.
Early in the afternoon,
after a splendid dinner had been served in the club dining hall, the quartette
led by Pat Diekoff and assisted by whoever took a
notion rendered some choice vocal selections.
Some of the voices were a trifle rusty but the most of them gave great
promise if they had the advantage of training by a good teacher.
Some records were made
by expert horseshoe pitchers but it was at fishing that Fred Bittner tied them
all. Bittner also led a cross country
chase, the hazards including swamp ground, barbed wire fences and ditches. In this contest Pat Diekoff
lost by a length by trying to pick a new route.
In the afternoon, an
auto party enroute from Chicago to Madison visited the club.
The band is composed of
the following members: William Bast, Walter Krueger, Ray Brier, R. Grosnick,
Otto Nienow, Arthur Block, Ben Maas, Fred Maas, Edward Kohlhoff, Arthur Bast,
Arthur Sprenger, Anton Lemke, August Kohlhoff, J. Schiefer, William Thietz, H. Borchordt, F. A.
Bittner, Ben Schumacher, Walter Block, Frank Uttech, H. M. Sonnemann, Prof. H.
A. Schumacher. The Watertown news, July 16, 1917
Band Members. Possibly 1917, on the grounds of the
Sauerkraut club
1920s PAT NEITZEL’S JAZZOPATORS of Watertown,
Banjo Alex, Paul Hoppe
<-
At Kraemer's Dance Hall
1920s HY COLEMAN’S ORCHESTRA of Milwaukee
1920s While
he was still a boy, Alton Gritzner
organized a dance band and continued it for some years as the “Casino Rhythm
Kings.” The leader played a banjo.
1921 WATERTOWN
CITY BAND
1925
02 18 BANDSTAND SUGGESTED for new Memorial Park
Ex-Mayor
Wertheimer stated that if the park plan be put into a reality that a bandstand be erected on the premises.
1930s McKINNEY'S
SERENADERS, Ray McKinney
WEBER-HOPPE ORCHESTRA
1934
03 28 NEW KLEINMANN DANCE
BAND TO OFFER NOVELTY
Orchestra consists of Joe Morin, trumpet; Fred
Kleinmann, violin & trombone; Roy Eisfeldt, saxophone; Edward Hoppe, drums;
Mrs. Fred Kleinmann, piano and Laverne, the accordion man.
Some features they offer are the LaVerne Trio and Buddy Kleinmann, 8-year-old vocalist.
1935
05 29 PHOTO OF FIRST WATERTOWN
CORNET BAND
The music exhibit is now under way at the public
library . . . A picture of considerable interest displayed at the exhibit is
the photograph of the first Watertown cornet band. It was organized in 1870 and was composed of
the following members: Charles Nowack, William Sommerfeld, Charles Wenck, A.
Gritzner, Otto Nowack, Alex Nowack, William Roeder, Fred Pohlmann, A. Schuelermann, Frank Kartak, John Weissert, W. D. Sproesser.
Webmasters Note: Watertown Cornet Band assumed to be the same as the Watertown Philharmonic Cornet Band.
08 19 JOHNNY'S GRENADIERS
New Six-Piece Dance
Orchestra Is Going Places
An
orchestra recently organized by a group of young musicians in the city is now
playing increased engagements in various state cities. The orchestra, known as Johnny's Grenadiers,
was organized by John Woelffer, son of E. J. Woelffer, director of the 105th
Cavalry Band, and Ray Fredrich. They
signed up four other young men to complete the organization including Verne
Gehler, Myron Hinzmann, Fred Wittchow and William Kehl. Together this group plays a variety of
instruments. The orchestra features
music of the old-time character but also plays modern music, generally
combining the two for an engagement.
Tonight the orchestra will play at the Coconut Grove in Madison and
tomorrow night at the Modernistic Ballroom, Milwaukee. They have also played at the Schwartz
Ballroom in Hartford and other places and have numerous engagements for the
near future. The orchestra also plays
locally and is open for engagements for dances, parties and social functions of
all kinds.
1938
02 15 JOHNNY AND HIS
GRENADIERS ARE BUSY MUSICIANS
Johnny's Grenadiers, an orchestra composed of local young men, has a
long list of engagements which includes dates for dances up to next January
1. This orchestra, only begun within the
last year, has enjoyed an increasing number of engagements. Tonight the orchestra is playing for the
Madison Service Club at Memorial Union in Madison. Thursday and Friday nights of this week the
orchestra will play for the opening of the new $60,000.00 Turner Hall in
Monroe. Other places booked are
Rockford, Johnson Creek, Argon Hall at Fish Lake, Doylestown, Elgin, Illinois,
Aurora, Illinois, Terrance Gardens and Edwards Park, Madison. The orchestra consists of John Woelffer,
violin; Ray Frederick, bass violin; Fred Wittchow, coronet and saxophone; Vern
Gehler, accordion; Fritz Bergmann, accordion and piano; and William Kehl,
drums.
10 12 BABE SHONARTH AND HIS
ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE SWING CONCERT
Babe Shonarth and his orchestra of this city will have a swing
concert Saturday evening at the "Swing Jamboree" which is to be held
at the Wisconsin Club, one of Milwaukee's exclusive dancing clubs. This is one of the few bands in this part of
the state having a complete repertoire of special arrangements and playing the
swing tempo of today. Engagements for
this band in the near future include the City Club of Milwaukee, Fisher Body
Corp., Parker Pen, Monterey Hotel, Janesville, the Schwartz Ballroom, also some
of the large ballrooms in Elgin, Rockford and Waukegan, Illinois. The personnel of the band consists of Paul
Hoppe, Wayne Weideman, Robert Kopplin, Marvin Bredow, Herbert Bredow and Babe Shonarth.
1939
11 03 JOHNNY'S GRENADIERS
Local Orchestra Plays Engagement at
Dubuque, Iowa.
Johnny's Grenadiers bookings for
1940
Johnny's
Grenadiers, well known local orchestra, will play in
the Melody Mill Ballroom at Dubuque, Iowa tonight. This is the largest ballroom in Iowa and one
of the largest in the middle west. A new
member of the orchestra, Irwin "Red" Doege, drummer, has made quite a
hit wherever the orchestra has appeared.
Another comparatively new member is Arthur "Pat" Nehls of
Oconomowoc, who is featured on saxophone, trumpet, violin and clarinet. He is an accomplished musician, having
appeared with Ted Lewis for several years and for the production of pictures in
Hollywood. Older members of the
organization are Myron Hintzman and Verne Gehler, accordions, John Woelffer,
violin, and F. Fredrich, bass. So far
this week the orchestra has played at Arlington, Monroe and Hustisford. To date approximately 100 engagements have
been booked for 1940.
1940
WATERTOWN
CITY BAND, 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF
c.1940
WATERTOWN
CITY BAND
Walter
Stamstad, director
1940s
CITY
BANDSHELL
Located in Memorial park
06 11 AMERICAN LEGION BAND FORMED
The first meeting of Watertown’s newly
formed American Legion band took place this week and Frank Koenig,
Jr., was unanimously appointed to serve as temporary conductor. Meetings hereafter are scheduled for
Wednesday nights at 8 o’clock. The first
such meeting will be held next Wednesday when the first rehearsal will take
place. Election of officers is also
scheduled.
All those who have been previously notified
of the plans are asked to be present without fail, the organizing committee
said today.
At present there are openings in the
following sections: Clarinet, French
horn and bass. All persons 18 years or
over who are interested are asked to report next Wednesday night at the armory
building.
For years people here have talked about
the band that used to be a band that was second to none in the state, a band
that garnered the plaudits of the people from the man on the street up to top
ranking military men and governors - the old 105th Cavalry band.
Now at last Watertown is on the
threshold of producing another great band, one that can carry on in behalf of
good band music.
1950
07 24 FUNSTERS CLUB KITCHEN BAND
The
Funsters Club Kitchen Band honored retiring director Marilyn Moran at its
annual dinner meeting at Vandre's Riverside Inn. She was presented with a music box in the
shape of a church from the band. Mrs.
Moran recently retired from the Watertown Park and Recreation Department as
supervisor and director of the Funster Club for 18 years. Led by Mrs. Alvira Hamann, who is replacing
Mrs. Moran, the group sang songs reminiscent of their times together. A number of stories were told and games
played. Winners of the guessing games
were Herman Kaczor, Mary Oestreicher and Marilyn Moran. WDT
08 07 COMPANY M RETURNS HOME
After two weeks at Camp McCoy, a
special train pulled into Union depot.
Portion of welcoming crown is shown.
Greeted by American Legion and Musicians Union bands.Line
of march extended through flag-bedecked Main Street.
09 27 ANNUAL BALL OF MUSICIANS / A Battle of Music
11 Dance Bands to participate
at Turner Hall
The annual
Musicians' ball, sponsored by Local No. 469, American Federation of Musicians,
will be held at Turner hall in Watertown Thursday
night. The ball this year promises to be
the greatest in the history of the series, with 11 dance bands
participating. They will engage in a
battle of music. Among the dance bands
will be those of Herbert Bredow, Will Eske, Jimmy Hartwig, the Ritzy Royal
players, Gib Untz, Bud Breitkreutz, Wally Klinger, Shorty Schumacher, Bob
Strege, "Peanuts" Schuld and the Fats Firehouse five. Both modern and old time music will be
featured. All of the musicians are known
far and wide in this area for their music and entertainment and they will
combine tomorrow night in putting on one of the greatest dance nights ever seen
in this or any other city of the state. The dance is open to the public and
everyone is invited. WDT
11 18 Ron LeRoy,
Senior High School Band Director, Teacher of the Year WDT
12 05 FORMER BAND DIRECTOR
RETURN
Three
former directors of the Watertown City Band will direct their own compositions
at Friday night’s silver jubilee concert of the band which is to be given free
in Turner hall.
They
are Joseph Prindl, M. J. Edelman and J. A. Schauer.
Mr.
Prindl, who now resides in Milwaukee, and Mr. Edelman who lives in Chicago,
will come here especially for the concert and direct their compositions. Mr. Schauer resides here. Another former conductor of the band, J. W.
Kleinman, as well as Sigmund Hoffmann of Jefferson, will attend the concert and
direct one number each.
Mr.
Edelman has written his march especially for the anniversary celebration.
1953
07 14 WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
BAND
WATERTOWN LEGION BAND, also known as
the WATERTOWN CIVIC BAND
WALT GOODIE
FAMILY ORCHESTRA, Walter Goodlette
1956
12 14 WATERTOWN MUSICIANS ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
Clem Schoechert
was elected president of the Watertown Musicians Association Local No. 469, at
the annual meeting of the association held at the East Gate Inn last
night. Other officers named are: George
Flint, vice president for his 15th consecutive term; Mrs. Erline Torres,
corresponding secretary for her 12th consecutive term; Herbert Bredow,
financial secretary and treasurer; James Hartwig, Percey Krebs and Arthur
Rupnow, trustees for three, two and one years
respectively; Alton
F. Gritzner, Ray Frederich and Wallace Klinger Jr., directors for one year;
Edward Schroeder, sergeant-at-arms. WDT
-- -- WATERTOWN HIGH SCHOOL BEGINNERS BAND
1960
01 11 WATERTOWN MUSICIANS
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
The Watertown Musicians Association,
Local No. 469, AFM last night installed its newly elected officers for the
year. The meeting last night was held at
the East Gate Inn. Officers installed
are: Clem Schoechert,
president; George Flint, vice president; Mary Connor, recording secretary;
Herbert Bredow, financial secretary; Alton F. Gritzner, sergeant-at-arms; James
Hartwig, Merlin Braasch and Arthur Rupnow, trustees; Edwin Schliewe, Roy Schnuckel and Robert Strege, directors.
c.1960 “PARADE OF BANDS”
1964
03 21 FREDDY DETTMANN BAND
Freddy
Dettmann and His Band, a local old-time orchestra group, has announced that the
band is in the stage of reorganizing and adding two trumpets. The band in the past has been playing with
three, four and five piece jobs, but in the future will be booking with
six. The personnel of the band includes
Eddie Peirick, who plays concertina. He
has been playing concertina for 33 years and is considered one of the finest in
this area. Very few old time bands in
Wisconsin use a concertina in the band, therefore, the group feels that it will
add something extra to its music. With
concertina, the music can be styled in the Dutchmen swing and sway dance way as
most Dutchmen bands from Minnesota use concertina. WDT
06 04 ARNOLD LEHMANN named conductor of
Municipal Band
Prof.
Arnold O. Lehmann, director of music at Northwestern
College, has been named conductor of the Watertown
Municipal Band and will make his first public appearance in his new
capacity at Thursday night’s opening concert of the summer series at Riverside
Park. Announcement of Prof. Lehmann’s
acceptance of the offer to conduct the band was made today. He succeeds Gerald Stich of Waterloo who
resigned because he will be attending a summer school. Since coming to Watertown to take over his
duties at Northwestern College, Prof. Lehmann has developed an outstanding
musical activities program and has presented, as part of his duties, numerous
college concerts, many of them for the public.
WDT
1965
01 21 CLEM SCHOECHERT HONORED
Clem Schoechert,
who organized the local musicians’ union back in 1937, and who was elected
president at that time, and has served as president ever since, was honored at
a testimonial dinner last night at Turner Hall.
Over 200 persons attended to pay tribute to him. Mayor Robert P. White presented Schoechert with a certificate of recognition, and William
Kehl, in behalf of the union, presented the guest of honor with a plaque in
recognition of the outstanding leadership he has provided the local since its
organization. WDT
04 14 WATERTOWN MUSICIANS
ASSN BALL
The silver jubilee ball of the
Watertown Musicians Association Local, 469, A.F.M., will take place at Turner
Hall on Thursday night, April 22 with over 100 musicians taking part in
providing the music and entertainment.
The bands and orchestra on the main stage will include the Musical
Stars, Merlin Braasch and his orchestra, Freddy Dettmann and his band, Will
Eske and his orchestra, Bud Hughlett and the Melodiers,
the Push and Pull Orchestra and Ole Gjerald and his
orchestra. Combos in the lower ballroom include the following: Tom Voigt and
his group, Bill, Will ‘n Roy, the Slovanians, the
Blue Notes, Jolly Cholly, Trio or More, the Three
Naturals and Scratch and his Nuclears. WDT
1966
05 18 HERB BREDOW AND HIS
ORCHESTRA
Herbert A.
Bredow, 207 Riverlawn Avenue, has closed his musical
career as leader of Herb Bredow and his Orchestra. He played his last engagement at the
Watertown Country Club Saturday night for the Watertown Senior Dancing Club. Mr. Bredow’s career as a musician spans some
46 years. He began playing in 1920, the
year he graduated from Watertown High School.
Piano was his chief instrument, although he has also played banjo,
trumpet and sax. In 1920 he helped
launch a group called “The Night Hawk Or-Jaz-tra.” In it were Otto Vogel, Max Nehring, Charles
Dott and Gust Boehm and Mr. Bredow.
1967
12 12 WATERTOWN MUSICIANS
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
At the annual nomination and election
of officers of the Watertown Musicians held Tuesday evening at the East Gate
Inn, the following officers were elected for the year 1968. Clem Schoechert,
president; Wayne Saniter, vice president; Harry Erickson, corresponding
secretary; Erline Torres, financial secretary and business agent; Roland
Harder, trustee for three years; Tom Voigt, Will Eske, James Hartwig,
directors; Alton F. Gritzner, sergeant at arms. Two trustees holding over are
Merlin Braasch and William Kehl.
1968
12 21 DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS
CONCERT
The Watertown Municipal Band, directed
by Dr. Arnold O. Lehmann, will play its annual downtown Christmas concert on
Monday evening, the last nighttime shopping period for the Christmas
season. The band will be playing in the
lobby of the Merchants National Bank starting at 7 o’clock. A one hour program has been arranged. There will be loud speakers to carry the
music to the streets. This concert will
be an actual performance by the band and will not be presented in taped form as
has been done on some past occasions.
1969
05 05 WISCONSIN
MUSICIANS ASSN CONFERENCE AT LEGION GREEN BOWL
Clem Schoechert,
Watertown, president of Watertown Musicians and state sergeant-at-arm; Erline
Torres, secretary-treasurer of Watertown Musicians.
05 12 NEW UNIFORMS FOR
MUNICIPAL BAND
Watertown Municipal Band. New uniforms worn for first time on Memorial
Day. William Kehl, manager; Roland
Harder, treasurer; Dr. Arnold Lehmann, conductor; David Kubly, president; Mary
Connor, secretary.
1990
07 01 LEBANON BAND 100th
ANNIVERSARY
LEBANON — The Lebanon Band, this year
celebrating 100 years of dedication to music and fellowship, is one of the biggest bands from one of the smallest
towns in the United States. The
band, with close to 50 members, will be performing in Watertown’s
Fourth of July Parade this year as a part of its extensive centennial year
schedule. As the band performs this
summer, parade-goers from all over Wisconsin will be treated to a proud and
historic group in action. The band’s
founders were music-loving German immigrants. In 1885, Henry F. Seeger, a
German born parochial school teacher, came to Immanuel Lutheran Church in
Lebanon to serve as a teacher, organist, choir director, and instructor of
instrumental music for which he received 10 cents per lesson. After five years his teaching had produced
enough instrumentalists to form a band in Lebanon in 1890. WDT
1994
07 05 YANKEE DUTCHMEN SOLAR
POWERED PRECISION MARCHING BAND
Playing in parades has always been a kick for
Will Eske and his mismatched musicians, who are known to scatter in different
directions during a drill. Although the
official name of the popular band is the Yankee Dutchmen Solar Powered
Precision Marching Band, the aim of the group is anything but perfection. “Every musician must be in full uniform, and
as mismatched as possible. If someone
has a hat and coat that match, they must exchange with someone else so the
colors don’t match,” said the genial band director, who usually takes music
seriously except during parades where his motley crew is greeted with cheers
and encouragement. A T-shirt proclaiming
the formal name of the band can be seen through the open uniform tops. The well known
37-year-old band will again march in the city’s July 4 parade, just as it has
for many years. The event is an
important part of the band’s schedule which includes 13 parades this summer. “We get stacks of requests to play, but we
try to stick close to home,” Eske said. The Ashippun Fire
Department has sponsored the band in the Dodge County Firefighters Tournament
for the past 35 years. The event will be
held in Lebanon July 31. WDT
2016
-- -- OLD BASS DRUM HEAD
Presenting Municipal
Band’s old bass drum head to the American Legion
Cross References:
German Serenaders 1855, Early Band
Watertown Municipal Band [same as
Watertown City Band]
Thacker's Concert Band. 1905, Homecoming Day
Thacker's Band, 1906, Labor Day celebration
Band Shell, Riverside Park, dedicated
1954
Edwin Woelffer, 1890-1944. Edwin Woelffer, 54,
Band Leader, Dies
06/01/1944 – E. J.
Woelffer, widely known band leader, died here today at his home, 912 South
Fourth street. He had been in ill health
for a long time and passed away at 6 o’clock this morning.
Mr. Woelffer was born
in Waterloo on Jan 31, 1890, a son of Mrs. Robert Woelffer and the late Robert
Woelffer. He came to Watertown as a boy
when his parents moved here and his father engaged in the tavern business. His father was a widely known man in this
community for many years.
Mr. Woelffer was
married on Oct. 1, 1912 to Miss Mabel Riebe.
She survives, as do a daughter and a son, Mrs. Donald Snyder and John H.
Woelffer, both of this city. His mother
also resides here as do a sister, Mrs. Robert Hills, and a brother, George
Woelffer. Two other brothers preceded
him in death. There are two
grandchildren.
Mr. Woelffer was
associated with the Watertown Memorial Co. He was a member of First Methodist church,
Lincoln Lodge No.20, Knight of Pythias, the Plattdeutscher Verein and the
Watertown Turner society.
Over the period of years
in which Mr.Woelffer was a band leader he had
conducted the Watertown City band and the old 105th Cavalry band with which he
was associated many years. He also led
the band of Branch 120, Catholic Knights of Wisconsin, the K. of P. band and
more recently had been the leader of the Lebanon band.
As a band leader he was
a hard worker and a thorough musician, a man with whom players liked to
work. He inspired his musicians to their
best efforts and was looked upon as a competent leader. In his business affairs Mr. Woelffer was a
man who stood for fair dealing and honesty.
He had the confidence of his associates and the people with whom he
dealt. He was kind and considerate of
others. To his family he leaves a
heritage which reflects credit upon him as a man and a citizen of the community
where his friends were legion.
The funeral will take
place Monday afternoon. There will be a
service at First Methodist church at 2 o’clock. The Rev. William B. Petherick,
who has recently been assigned to Marinette, will conduct the services and
burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
The Hafemeister funeral
home is in charge of the arrangements.
It was not known definitely today whether the funeral will be from the
funeral home or from the residence and this will be announced tomorrow,
together with the period during which friends may call to pay their
respects. In any event, the casket is
not to be opened at the church but friends will be given an opportunity to call
at either the funeral home or the residence Sunday afternoon and evening and
Monday up to the time of the funeral, as soon as it is decided from which place
the last rites will be conducted.
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin