Burlington Iowa Municipal Band History

Burlington, Iowa

Quality of Life

Burlington Municipal Band

Burlington Municipal Band History

Message from Jim Priebe --

The Burlington Municipal Band was formed when the Orchard City Band under Frank Sherratt and Fischer's Band under J. Henri Fischer combined. We have obtained several photographs of the Orchard City Band, the earliest of which dates from 1911, through the courtesy of the Des Moines County Historical Society. There is also one photo of Fischer's Band, but unfortunately we have identified only one member, cornet player Peter Hahn.. Included also are photos of the Burlington Municipal Band taken in 1945, 1947 and 1948. Personnel and dates are listed with the photos when this information was available. We hope that family and friends of those pictured will come forward with information about the band's early history.

We are interested in finding additional photos of the band or band members which have historic or human interest value to include on this web page. If you have such a photo or photos, and would be willing to share them, please contact me at 752-7305. You will, of course, get the photo back unharmed, and we will gladly credit our source.

When I became a member of the band in 1965, many of the members listed in the 1940's photos were still active, and two members pictured with the Orchard City Band, Ralph Zaiser and Ward Vance, were still playing. They spoke with familiarity of individuals who were a vital part of the musical scene of our community in the nineteenth century. From the perspective of the twenty-first century, we present these photographs with a sense of being a part of a great continuity of effort and tradition.

(Note: To speed loading of this web page, we have replaced the original photos with quicker-loading "thumbnail" versions. Click on the thumbnails to view each photo full-size.)

The Orchard City Band on the Court House Steps in 1911.

(with personnel identified)

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The Orchard City Band at an Elks Parade in 1913

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The Orchard City Band at the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) Convention, June 17-19, 1914

(with personnel identified)

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The Orchard City Band at the F.O.E. (Fraternal Order of Eagles)

State Convention held in Muscatine in 1916.

(with personnel identified)

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Orchard City Band at a fish fry on Big Island (date unknown)

(with personnel identified)

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Fischer's Band (date and personnel unknown)

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The Burlington Municipal Band in 1945

(with personnel list)

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The Burlington Municipal Band appearing at a community picnic in Perkins Park in 1947. Maurice Wright conducting. (Personnel unknown)

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The Burlington Municipal Band in Memorial Auditorium in 1948

(with personnel list)

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The Burlington Municipal Band in a Christmas Parade circa 1949

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These photos show the band marching in the "Sheriff's Annual Halloween Parade" in 1972. The band is wearing the uniform of that time - gold blazers which display the City's steamboat logo. The photos are taken as the band is about to cross the railroad tracks on south Main Street.

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These photos, taken by Jim Priebe in 1975, show long-time director Maury Wright as he was conducting a concert. They evoke an era which is fondly remembered by band members of long tenure.