And so they have all marched—the military bands, Sousa, Gilmore, Pryor, Conway, the town and community bands, and the college and school bands. They have marched right into the hearts of the people, young and old, rich or poor, from Maine to California.
“All these bands have something in common,” wrote Dr. Edwin Franko Goldman. “They are manifestations of a popular musical culture which finds in them an expression of something not provided by any other type of concert organization. Most important, they are a form of local, or regional, or national organization fulfilling a genuine community need and serving a genuine community interest....
“The band has introduced many people to music—both listeners and performers. A band plays for the masses with mixed tastes. It is close to the people, bringing many into firsthand contact with live music.”
Bands are able to perform in outdoor concerts, football games, parades and on many varied occasions. They stand or march when they play, inspiring action. Informal, outdoor band concerts will always remain great popular attractions for few concert halls are large enough to accommodate all the people who want to hear live band music. Besides, outdoor band concerts are free.
The United States is today’s greatest musical nation, and bands have played a great part in developing and spreading the love and understanding of music among young and old in this country. A band is a strong music educational force; a school or college band has the widest opportunity in the world to personally convey music to the people.
With the extensive program of concerts, radio and recording engagements, dances, football pageants, as well as the many regular functions in which the college bandsmen take part, a wealth of opportunity is given a college student interested in gaining experience in music.
In a more limited way this is true with high school bands. School bands are constantly being required to play at many public affairs in their community and school. And with ability to play in the band there comes to each bandsman a sense of citizenship, of belonging to an organization which is considered necessary to the success of public enterprises, of pride and importance in having a part in civic affairs.
People who are qualified to know state that the number of town, municipal, and industrial bands is decreasing, but it is gratifying to learn that these same authorities have found that college and school bands are rapidly increasing in all parts of the country. These organizations are recognized developments of our American culture. A national survey reveals that in 1951 there were 75,000 bands in the United States. And there were fully 9,000,000 high school boys and girls belonging to school bands.
The activities of the high school bands are unified by the National High School Band Association; the musicians composing the Music Educators’ National Conference exercise helpful supervision. The school band is recognized as one of the greatest agencies for teaching democracy and good citizenship, as well as inducing a nation-wide love for music.
“Music,” says the Preface to the 1940 Resolutions of the Music Educators’ National Conference, “is an essential factor in building a cultured and happy people. It belongs to everyone.”