During depression years most of the industrial bands disappeared; but some companies, still feeling that they are a valuable asset, have organized new ones. The Caterpillar Tractor Company at Peoria, Illinois, is one of the several firms that keep up a concert band and a dance band for plant members and their families.
FRANK SIMON
Like many men who have achieved success Frank Simon, celebrated bandmaster and cornet soloist, had to help support himself as a boy. “I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth,” he says, “but I came up the hard way, for which I have always been thankful.”
Frank’s parents, Sol and Bertha Simon, who operated a small dry goods store in Middletown, Ohio, recognized their son’s talent in his early years.
In 1899 the ten-year-old boy began studying with the local bandmaster, Q. C. Buckles, who soon advised Mr. Simon to send his son to nearby Cincinnati for lessons. Frank studied there with W. J. Koop, then, first trumpet with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Soon he attracted the attention of Herman Bellstedt, eminent cornet master and military band expert, who gave him lessons and great encouragement.
In his early teens Frank was doing the work of a man. He played in the local Middletown Theater for road shows and also led a dance band. At sixteen he directed the hometown band until he was hired by John C. Weber of Cincinnati as the cornet soloist of his Prize Band of America. Through the next few years young Simon toured the country with it and other professional groups.
Soon the music world was talking about Frank Simon’s skillful cornet playing. The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra offered him a job in their orchestra, a position he held for three years.
In 1914 Sousa asked him to be his cornet soloist and the assistant to Herbert L. Clarke. Upon Clarke’s retirement from the band five years later, Frank Simon succeeded him as premier soloist and assistant leader.
But after two more years with Sousa, Simon wanted to create a great band of his own. In 1920 he accepted an offer from the American Rolling Mill Company to organize and conduct an industrial band for them. Made up of fine musicians, this well-known organization successfully advertised its sponsor at many important events in our country and in Canada.