Old Missoula

MCHS Band – Better Late Than Never

Missoula enjoyed music almost from its beginning. The history of music in early Missoula was well documented by Ursula Jane Davis in her Master’s Thesis at U of M in 1959.[1] She noted that in 1870 Bob Pelkey’s String Band played music for dances, parties and ceremonies, delighting listeners with their “delicious strains.” Music was also provided at many local events, including theatrical presentations at local theaters which were well attended by grateful citizens. Local saloons were a source of musical enjoyment, along with dancing entertainment that featured the “common dancing girl” and a “lady artiste executing the Can Can with variations.” Churches were also a prominent source of music in early Missoula. The quest for the finer instruments included a grand tale of bringing the first Steinway piano to Missoula in 1875, requiring the use of a wagon and mules.

By 1893 a group of local citizens had organized the “Garden City Brass Band.” According to a Missoulian article[2] members of this band were outfitted with classy silver-plated instruments and dressed in red coats, blue pants and caps. Their first paying engagement was at the Quigley mining camp on Rock Creek for the 4^th of July in 1895.

The University of Montana began formal instruction in music in 1895. Their history was documented in another thesis by U of M’s John Roswell Cowan in 1952.[3] He cited three people in particular who were responsible for creating the music program at U of M; Mrs. Blanche Whitaker (1896 – 1910); Deloss Smith (1913 – 1939); and John Crowder (1939 – 1951).

Bands in Missoula’s local schools did not fare so well. Ursula Davis found that a group of 15 boys played in a High School band in approximately 1895, but apparently soon disappeared. Their first performance, according to Claude Elder, was at the Bennett Theater and consisted of brass instruments only.

Music courses in Missoula public school curriculums were mentioned as early as 1906. Historian Davis found that a formal music department in Missoula’s public schools began in 1924, and a position in music instruction started in 1933. Students had organized extra-curricular informal music groups earlier, but no consistent organized band activity appeared before 1924.

An article in the Missoulian in 1925 mentioned that a Boy Scout band had been formed a year and a half prior to that. The band performed at the county courthouse in 1925 and was given a favorable review, but was no longer functioning. Instruments remaining when this band quit were apparently given to a group that hoped to form a High School band. The same article said that Albert Hoelscher, director of the University Grizzly band, “took charge of the high school aggregation.” Another Missoulian article a year later stated that Hoelscher would instruct grade school boys 10 years of age or older at the High School gymnasium. By 1928 an organization called the Missoula Boy’s band held weekly rehearsals at various Missoula homes. It was also known as Hoelscher’s Boys’ band and at one point had 22 members.

Meanwhile the Missoula City Band under the direction of G. Lawrenson enjoyed huge receptions at local events. An article in the Missoulian in 1927 stated that thousands of citizens had enjoyed the city band for more than 20 years.[4] Membership in the band that year numbered 30. Support for the band had earlier come from the fraternal Order of Eagles and the chamber of commerce, but had since depended on a small city tax of ¼ mill. The band also raised money from concerts where contributions were taken. Typically, the members were paid $4 for each concert given.

A small band existed at U of M by 1912. It remained a student organization until members of the R. O. T. C. program formed the University “Grizzly” band in 1919, under the direction of Roscoe Jackman. By 1922 it was led by Professor Ernest Atkinson. It played at football and basketball games, annual parades, and gave concerts in the spring. It was considered one of the finest college bands in the west. In the 1922 – 1923 school year the band played at over fifty University events. Albert Hoelscher took charge of the band in 1924 and it soon had 50 active members, including 2 women which was unheard of in any other U.S. college. Stanley Teel replaced Roy Freeburg as the band’s director in 1932. By 1936 the band had 99 members and was highly regarded at the school and in the community.

No surprise that by 1930 the absence of a Missoula High School band was becoming a topic, especially when other Montana schools proudly brought their bands to the Garden City. Even Bonner grade school presented a 25-piece grade school band.

A Montana High School music meet in Great Falls hosted 600 kids in 1930. Band competition was only a small part of this meet. Bands were split into 2 divisions for the competition with schools of more than 300 students rated A; the rest B. Winners were Anaconda, Lewistown, and Bozeman in the A group. Wolf Point, Browning, Harden and Stanford placed in the B group. No Missoula kids were listed for any part of this meet. Kids from Kalispell, Corvallis and Hamilton placed in the competition.

In 1931 numerous High School bands were mentioned on occasion in the local Missoulian. Corvallis, Drummond, Hamilton, Polson, and Thompson Falls all reportedly fielded high school bands. Bigger Montana schools often brought their bands to Missoula events. Helena High’s school band came with 40 members in 1931.

A special train from Butte arrived in Missoula in 1933, bringing the football team, a 50-piece band, a 42-member girl’s drum corps, and many Butte supporters. Reputedly 800 fans came from Butte. The band and the drum corps put on a memorable program at halftime while the Butte football team thrashed Missoula.

“What a band! Pretty girls! Snappy boys!” was the comment printed by a Missoulian reporter. Upon arriving in Missoula, the group paraded down Higgins Avenue, stopping to play at intersections as hundreds of pedestrians and cars stopped traffic. They drew “great applause” throughout the game. They also drew a measure of envy and resentment from Missoula fans as they remorsefully compared band-less MCHS with Butte. Still no Missoula High School band in 1933.

In September 1934 a Missoulian article found that Missoula’s pride had been piqued by the Butte band performance the previous season. “The impression made by the Butte high school band here last fall will not quickly be forgotten. It is pointed out that there are many occasions when a Missoula high school band would be able to put on similar demonstrations, and that its music would be especially valuable during Interscholastic week.”

Local organizations such as Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce now voiced their support for a high school band. Even George Lawrenson, the feted city band director, backed the idea, and mention of at least 20 donated instruments indicated that the idea had serious support. The article finished with the thought that a band would be “especially valuable during Interscholastic week.” The economic impact of the celebrated Interscholastic week was clearly not to be underestimated in the quest for a new band in the Garden City. After all the dearth of Missoula school bands was a ½ century old and the Butte juggernaut demonstrated that a MCHS band’s time had come.

By November 1934 local groups were hustling to raise funds for band uniforms. At least 54 students expressed an interest in joining that fall. Help arrived the following spring from Professor Stanley Teel and some members of the U of M Band. They arranged a concert to raise money for the project and provided classes for those who wanted help. Teel’s assistant, Les Smith, joined in the effort and the band presented their first ever “pep” rally on May 16, 1935, opening day for the Interscholastic week. They led a parade from the school to the depot on Higgins Avenue and later played with the University band at Dornblaser field.

That Fall, according to an article by Sydney Kraabel in the Missoulian, the MCHS band, led by Les Smith, played at home football games as well as basketball games, pep rallies, and soon purple and gold uniforms were provided. The regular band had 60 members. In February 1936 the band joined with the U of M band for a concert at the Student Union theater.

In March of 1936 the MCHS band presented their first ever concert at the high school auditorium. By fall of 1936, a Missoulian article noted the band was a factor in football games: “The Missoula high school band which is better organized and more appropriately uniformed than ever before, is making itself felt as a real factor in high school sports entertainment and its playing yesterday was lauded.”

By the fall of 1937 the band had over 100 total members – 72 regular members and a beginner’s band had 36.

According to a Missoulian article in 1949:

“Leslie Clifford directed a drum corps of 18 freshman and sophomore girls in 1934-36. A fife and bugle corps was also organized by Mr. Clifford.”

“Emmett Anderson began his first year as band instructor in 1936-37 and had a 52-piece group.”

“Twirlers first appeared in 1939, according to the records available.”

The band in 1949 was the largest in the school’s history with 96 members. There were also 43 flag and baton twirlers. The school also had a dance band in 1949.