The School band was organized in 1857 and has been in continuous existence ever since—for almost a century. The boys’ first attempt at making music was on tissue paper-covered combs. This effect was soon improved by the addition of a bass viol, three violins, a sax horn, a cornopean and a small drum.
The principal of the school, John R. Morse, was director and general supervisor, and a special instrument instructor assisted him. The band increased in number rapidly and improved in its performance even more quickly. The first concert was given in 1858, and the band proudly led the procession when the School made its annual pilgrimage to Boston the next year, 1859. This was probably the first public appearance of any school band in the world.
There was little money available to spend on band equipment, but by using suits of several different styles in a few odd shades, they were fitted out with uniforms. New instruments had been obtained, and each glistened like gold, although the horns, wobbling as the players marched, pointed in various directions. Every proud bandsman carefully donned his snowy white gloves before handling his instrument.
Although the band was only four years old when the Civil War began, the director and sixteen former players enlisted as Musicians. Mr. Morse returned from the War and completed a span of fifty years as director of the band.
The high point in the band’s history, as well as the greatest event in the lives of its members at that time, was playing at the Peace Jubilee. In response to an invitation from Patrick Gilmore, the famous band conductor, the Farm and Trades School Band played in his great 1,000-man band at the first Peace Jubilee at Boston in 1869. Ever afterwards those boys boasted of having performed with this group of bandsmen from at least five different countries.
The present bandmaster, Mr. Frank L. Warren, was chosen in 1923. A thorough musician, he is exceptionally well-fitted for this office. He directs several bands in the Boston area, is a member of various musical organizations—among them, the U. S. Army-Navy Bandsmen’s Association and the 101st Engineers’ Band. He inspires the school boys with a genuine love of music and a real joy in playing. The Farm and Trades School Band has throughout its years, won many honors at the state and the New England school band contests and later, high ratings at the Competition Festivals.
The popularity of the band has constantly increased. For instance, out of a school enrollment of 82, there are 50 in the band. Various nationalities are included in the membership—at one time, one player was an American Indian lad named “Rainbow Red Canoe,” a great grandson of the famous chief “Sitting Bull.”
Most boys who have begun their music study with the band make it a hobby in later life, and many choose it as their lifetime profession. Composers, arrangers and music publishers have come from this Farm and Trades School Band, while many other former players have become valued members of symphony orchestras, opera and theater orchestras and nationally-famous concert bands.
