Advertisements like this were common in the early band days. Employers wanted workers who could also play a band instrument or “double in brass.” And such was the popularity of bands that often the job appealed to the worker only because he would be able to play in the town band. At first the bandsmen were not paid, even for their expenses; but later some communities donated money to help them.
In time the industries began to support their bands for they had found these organizations wonderful allies in spreading good will among their employees, communities and customers. Some companies gave band concert parties to their workers and their families. These were welcome events in the days of few social entertainments.
One of the oldest industrial bands, the Altoona Works Band of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was organized in 1853 under the leadership of William Boyden. This group was always noted for its striking appearance. In 1885 twenty-six uniforms were purchased at a cost of $2,200, “the trimmings and buttons of which were gold-plated of the best quality.” The band played at the inauguration of President Harrison and at several of the inaugural celebrations and is still in existence with Albert Sincer of Altoona, Pennsylvania, as leader.
Outstanding among the smaller railroad bands was the Missouri-Kansas and Texas or “Katy” Band of Parsons, Kansas. The company employed a full-time music supervisor and in the 1920’s boasted five bands of white workers, one Mexican band and one Negro band. These popular groups played over the country at such functions as state fairs and in many places where a parade band was needed.
A great impetus had been given to the band movement when Charles G. Conn of Elkhart, Indiana, began turning out popular-priced horns. And incidentally, the band instrument industry began quite by accident. When Charles who had received a lip injury during the Civil War came home, he made an elastic rim on the metal mouthpiece of his own trumpet to protect his lip. Then his friends wanted the rims on theirs, and soon there was so much demand for them that he started making them, using a small shed for a factory. He went on to make the mouthpiece and finally the instrument itself. Thus began the great C. G. Conn Ltd., business of today.
Soon other companies were organized and followed suit in a rush to make instruments; organize bands and help the musicians to buy the instruments. The movement spread and in 1898 it is said that there were 1,000 industrial bands marching in the streets of the United States and playing popular music of the Spanish-American War days.
Workers of all nationalities and occasionally executives of the companies played in these business organizations over the country. One millionaire industrialist, Felix Dupont, played baritone with the Wilmington, Delaware Police Band. Fifty-five musicians, employed in various departments of the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan, formed a typically American group. They represented eight nationalities—four English, ten Italians, fifteen Germans, ten Canadians, one French, one Scotch, two Polish and twelve Americans.
In 1914 the Willy-Overland Automobile Company of Toledo, Ohio, organized a similar fifty-piece band from various departments. Its personnel of molders, machinists, blacksmiths, coremakers, office workers, auto testers and common laborers all played the works of the old masters under the leadership of Gustav Koehler.
John Wanamaker Company in New York City had a famous band with fine leaders which it maintained in connection with the school work of its junior employees until the New York Educational Law made it necessary to discontinue.
The American Rolling Mill Company (Armco) Band of Middletown, Ohio, was organized in 1921 by Frank Simon. For years it was a well-known company and community band, touring Ohio and adjacent states. Then the company sponsored Frank Simon and His Famous Band on the Armco NBC program for ten years. This band is no longer in existence as the American Rolling Mill Company changed its advertising policy at the close of the ten years, and dropped the band.