CONFESSIONS OF A BAND LEADER
BEING
THE TRUE AND
UNEXPURGATED ACCOUNT OF THE
FOUNDING AND
RISE TO FAME
OF THE FIRST
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY BAND
MEMOIRS OF E.E. ROSS '08
5-12-57.
(1)
I have made several stabs at my Band Memoirs but seemed to have too many personal pronouns.
However I feel I have to tell the story as it happened and try to picture the great difference in the
conditions of that day.
In the early 1900's very few Colleges & Universities had bands except some of the Land Grant
Colleges. I recall Prof. Franklin who was very sympathetic & helpful to us, telling me he never
had so much fun in his life as when he played Alto horn in the Band at Kan. U. This would have
been about 1885.
For important occasions such as Calculus Cremation & some special games, Lehigh engaged a
Pro. or semi Pro; usually the Allentown Band.
This was a good Band but not entirely satisfactory as they seemed to "Fake" our songs, though
they always played Wm. Tell Overture very well. But at about $5.00 per man for 30 men it ran
us $150.00 or $200.00. These were 100% dollars and scarce.
Up to about 1895 Military Bands included a Drum Major. He was a very tall slim figure, in
gorgeous uniform who marched at point with an exaggerated strut and performed astonishing
feats of juggling with a Baton of heavy black Ebony about 4 ft. long with a shiny brass ball on
the end.
From the middle 1890's to after World War I, the Drum Major was dropped, so that in our time,
a band was an open order group of marching Musicians without glamour. Evidently this was a
mistake; although probably due to the influence of Sousa, who stresses the musical side.
In World War I, our troops were fascinated by the Drum Majors of the French Bands and after
the war we revived the institution. But as this was the Flapper Age, we soon had several young
girls in circus dress, performing with small batons and entertaining kicks. These Majorettes, now
have grown to whole Platoons, sometimes equaling the instruments.
Glamour had returned magnified. A Band was now for the eye as well as the ear.
The effect was magical. Every University and College had to have a Band; every High School
had to have a Band.
Instruments and uniforms were put on the school Budgets and Band became a part of the sacred
word "Education."
We started in a period when a Band did not seem to be a legitimate College activity, but from my
background I thought it should be.
I was originally destined to be a Concert Violinist and at 6 years started in a Phil. Conservatory.
In my first year High School, the Phi1a. Symph. Orch. was organized under Fritz Scheel. I took
an audition and was seated at #8 chair in the First Violin Section, where I played for 2 years. At
the end of the second year the Phila. Orch. started to travel and as I could not do that and remain
in High School, I dropped out. A school chum who was first Trombone stayed with the Orch.
and dropped school. He is still first Trombone there and one of the two original members left.
Several Violinists at that time, were taking up Trombone as a hobby and to get a perspective in
orchestration--a first Violin is too busy with his own score. So I took some Trombone Lessons
from my pal until I did pretty well. Played in several small orchestras and bands.
The Trombone is a very essential instrument in orchestra, band and Religious music and there
were always openings.
(2)
After I decided I did not like a musicians life and came to Lehigh I found there were plenty of
jobs for the Trombone in Bethlehem. I played in various small dance orchestras and in the
Bethlehem Band, a good bunch of fellows, some from the Steel Mills.
We paraded way down Fourth St. one Sunday to dedicate an Italian Catholic Church. My pay
was $5.00 and I used it to buy a Faber Slide Rule at the Supply Bureau from Thomas
Hammersley Mawhinney '05. I still have it, it has worked out many problems and improvements
in Westinghouse Transformers.
I learned of the Moravian Church Trombone Choir; a group of all slide trombones from the
highest treble to the lowest bass; there is probably nothing like it in the world. I went to see the
Mgr. who was Mr. Robt. Rau, proprietor of the oldest drug store in the U.S. and an official in the
Moravian Church. I found that he and my father has been classmates at the Phila. College of
Pharmacy about class 1868. So I played with these very fine people in the Easter Dawn
ceremonies and some others and have some wonderful memories of that year.
I also remember that summer with the Bethlehem Band; a trip to Slatington to a 3 County
Firemens Convention. Full pay, all expenses and beer you could drink; marching up steep hills-in a winter uniform, Ach, was spass. Then small orch. and some all night dances at the
Maennerchor. I had more work than I could accept, if I expected to pass Lehigh exams.
Sometime during 1905 H.A. Church '05 formed a small University Orch. and I was Trombonist.
My memory is hazy but I believe there were about 8 or 10 men and Dick James '08 was one of
the violins. You could check the 1906 Epitome. We played a few engagements then when
Church graduated, the orch. died. But we had become known to the student body.
So when the Football season of 1906 got under way Geo. M. Baker '07 stopped me on the
Campus and asked "Why don't you fellows that play wind instruments get out and help the Cheer
leaders with the songs? They are having a hard time of it this way.” This seemed like a good idea.
Some one should have thought of it before. But in thinking it over I felt we should try to form a
full Band. So I posted a notice on the Bulletin Board at the New St. Gate asking for candidates
for the Lehigh Band to report the following Sat., Oct. 29 '06 at (I think) second floor Saucon Hall.
About 15 men responded, most with experience in home town Bands and owning their own
instruments. This was far better than I had dared to hope. We had a good nucleus and group who
wanted to see a Lehigh Band succeed as a regular organization. So, as temporary Chairman, I
called for nominations. John Byerly '10 agreed to take the detailed job of Sec. & Librarian (what
a joke, we had no music). Hank Ketcham insisted on nominating me for Leader, a responsibility
I had not wanted, but as I had had far more experience than anyone else I felt I should see it
through, when no one else wanted to undertake it.
We got off to a fast start. Jimmy Boyle '08 sent home and borrowed some Band music from his
home town Band. Somehow, we had Lehigh songs arranged for our instruments. Some of the
others found some band music somewhere.
We had no regular place to practice. I recall we moved around often and wonder if we were
regarded as a sort of back fence cat chorus.
(3)
True, our ensemble was badly unbalanced. Byerly, Boyle, Ketcham and Schwarzwaelder each
owned his own Cornet. Callen his clarinet, Ross his Trombone. I believe Aleck owned a Piccolo
and perhaps Willson also. Corbin owned a French horn which he did not play but loaned it for
Horner to work on. I do not remember where the Snare Drum and Cymbals came from.
We needed more instruments urgently, so at all full College meetings, which were held in the
Auditorium of the Physics Lab., I made a plea for "Funds" as touching as those you now hear on
the Radio, and stationed two collectors (with upturned hats) at the only exit. Lehigh students did
not have much to spare and the total was modest. But we spread it thin as payments on second
hand instruments.
Then we struck luck. Prof. Franklin was very sympathetic and helpful to our cause, so I asked
him for the loan of his Baritone and Slide Trombone. They were used once a year in Lectures on
sound and then left to corrode in the instrument room in the rear of Lecture Hall.
We promised to have them put in first class condition and to return them at his call for lecture
use. He agreed very enthusiastically, so we got two of the most needed instruments.
He gave us permission to practice in some room in the Physics Lab. We were improving but felt
the need of the heavy percussion of a Bass Drum, which at that time seemed beyond our reach.
So I had an inspiration and borrowed the Vortex Ring demonstrator. This was similar to an old
fashioned wooden wash tub, with a drum head stretched over the large end and a 3" diam hole in
the middle of the wooden bottom. It was placed in a vertical position, filled with smoke and
when the drum head was struck, a Vortex Ring of smoke shot out of the hole.
We tried it as a Bass Drum with high hopes, but after about two numbers we decided that the
tone was such a dull, sickening thud, that we sounded much better without it.
But the hope had sprouted: and within a week, our “scouts” had located a suitable Bass Drum
and bought it. In my memory they found it in a So. Beth. Hock Shop and the total price was
$10.00. The market on used Bass Drums was slow. It was in very good condition.
Sometime later, after expressing a wish that it carried our name, suddenly it did, "Lehigh
University Band" with the famous Seal in the center. Our "Scouts" again.
Really, Aladdin was a Piker. He had to rub a Lamp. Our Lamp was a Mazda. The only “Genie”
to appear was the usual G.&E. So the Scouts worked their own magic.
“Our Scouts” is a term I now use as I cannot recall just who was on each
“Mission”. They were groups of 4 or 5 mostly from our original group. No definite organization,
various members, but usually Hank Ketcham in the fore front. They had no system to follow, just
their own judgment and initiative and they got results, fast.
(4)
We had been supporting all the cheering practice calls and the earlier games but still without
uniforms. We were hard pressed for instruments and band scores.
At our second game we paraded down the Campus to the field with the confidence of Veterans,
amid the cheers of the crowds. But in the next issue of the "Brown and White" a cynical editor
with no appreciation of art, announced "The Band again ventured into the open." Ventured? Ha
Ha. We blasted. (Note--This editors name was Lew Heck).
By this time several other men without band experience volunteered. Lakey '08 an accomplished
organist, took up the Baritone (Physics Lab. Model). He was my room mate and in the learning
stage it's pretty awful to listeners. (sounds like a sick cow). But he persisted and turned out a
good job.
Sammy May '10 was a good pianist and felt that bass drum was rather a step down. But we
needed a good man on it so he took it up and did well and loyally.
Our scouts located an E flat tuba left from a former band in West Bethlehem. The price was
$25.00 which was all right except we did not have $25.00 W. L. DeBaufre '07 said he would like
to get in the Band and play this tuba and he would put up the $25.00 of his own money and we
could pay him later. We closed this deal quickly. I took the tuba to deliver to him at his Senior
E.E. Lab. period on the first floor of the Physics Bldg.
I sat on a Lab. table at the far Western end and thought I could experiment a little, no one could
hear it above the 60 cycle hum, belt screech and general noise.
Sound is a tricky branch of Physics. I was just getting pretty good after about 10 min. of
"Everybody Works but Father" in Fog Horn Umpha, Umpha ,when everyone began signaling to
me. I looked up and there at the Eastern door, by the stairs, was Prof. Franklin somewhat
disheveled, waving his arms and shouting" hoarsely "Stop that noise--stop that noise.” My solo
had in some way rolled up the stairs with amplification and disrupted his lecture on the second
floor. Even worse, it seemed to come from the third floor. He and Charlie Hemmerly rushed up
stairs, hunted in every corner, then down through every second floor room and finally down to
me at the far corner of the first floor.
Prof. Franklin was very understanding and he never mentioned the matter again. Charlie did,
with somewhat bated breath.
DeBaufre had to give up the tuba under pressure of his final graduation work and we enlisted
Leilich '08 for the part. Later he dropped out (probably from exhaustion) and Jacoby '10 took up
the burden.
Sometime after that Floyd '10 an accomplished organist came in as a Trombonist; others came in,
some stayed and some dropped out. I cannot recall the list and I do not believe Byerly kept track
of them. I am sure no two photos of the Band taken on different dates will show the same line up.
I do not remember on what date the group photo in the 1909 Epitome was taken.
My previous letter to you was incorrect. My copy of 1909 is in storage. I do have here the 19081910-1911 Epitomes.
(5)
We kept working and improving, collecting more instruments and band scores. Not all we would
like, but what we could get.
And we still kept up with class work. I recall one evening in spring of '07 a Road Company
played the Opry House in the Wyandotte Hotel and in the good old style "Doubled in Brass"
before the show.
We were swamped with some Lab. records but living just two streets up the hill almost directly
in line, it got across to us just right. They had an appropriate selection; "College Life." The voice
came up on what I believe was the now extinct E flat Cornet, the guy was good, very good.
Lakey and the other fellow hummed the words "Mother and Father pay all the bills and I have all
the fun." Yea? We looked at the stack of work and I said "It may be College Life-- But not at
Lehigh."
I can't recall anything out of the routine until about the first week of April 1908. On April 28 '08
Andrew Carnegie the donor of Taylor Hall would come to dedicate it with appropriate
ceremonies, which would include music by the Band and Glee Club.
Band uniforms were a must. So Dr. Drinker did some fast work among upper bracket Alumni
and raised about $200.00 From Wanamaker in Phila. he got us white duck trousers, white sport
shirts, white duck outing hat and Seal Brown , flowing tie. You can see from the accompanying
photos, it made a good improvised uniform.
Then he insisted we should play an old Scotch song “Will Ye No Come Back Again?” We had it
arranged and started to practice to get some expression into an otherwise rather dull melody. I
noticed someone standing in the doorway rather long but thought it just some lower classman.
At a later rehearsal Dr. Drinker came down to give us a pep talk. With some uneasiness he
remarked "Of course you can't play that song, Will Ye No Come Back Again," and stated that he
had been told so by a competent musician. "Well," I said, "He may be a good pianist but he don't
know anything about ensemble playing."
It is proverbial in the Profession that if the last rehearsal is lousy the Concert will be good. The
Psychology of on your guard. Later I learned that the "Musician" was Philip Drinker his son. He
was a pianist only.
So we practiced up our music. What other selections I do not recall and Jimmy Boyle with true
Lehigh spirit got his younger brother Joe who was a cornetist in the home town band, to come
down and help fill out.
We tried on our uniforms and paraded around the campus to get the new lift in Morale that
always accompanies uniforms. During that maneuver, Sammy May who was a very good
photographer, took a series of three pictures which are the best and probably the only good
photos of the Band of 1908. The originals were 5 1/2 by 3 1/4 and my prints are still remarkably
clear. He set up the camera then rejoined the band and an assistant snapped it.
(6)
I have had these enlarged to 9 1/2 by 5 1/2 and am sending you one print each. They were posed
in the South East angle of the Chemistry Lab; which later alterations have eliminated. In the
order in which they were taken:
No. I The Band in formation at rest.
(I never could get Horner to carry that French Horn in a Military manner).
No.2 The Band in formation playing.
No.3 The Band in group
Front row L to R
Schwarzwae1der, Horner, Ketchem, Ross, Corbin, Rominger, Byerly, Jacoby
Rear Row 1 to R
May, Willson, Fraim, Aleck, Hunt, Callen, Jimmy Boyle, Albright Joe Boyle, Staab,
Lakey, Leaman Johnston
(Note: I may have Staab & Schwarzwae1der interchanged).
We resumed our marching and some one unexpectedly stepped our and snapped us at Saucon
Hall. I believe it was Galbraith II. One of these was cropped and printed on postcards for sale at
the Supply Bureau. I have had it enlarged and included it as No.4. A second shot about ten steps
farther on appeared on p. 36 of the Alumni Bulletin June 1952 contributed by Galbraith II. The
title is "Lehigh Band 41 years ago." An error, it was in 1908 so 44 years.
Carnegie Day
Carnegie Day April 28, 1908 dawned clear and pleasant. The program went off as scheduled and
we played our "inspiring" selections during the ceremonies reserving Dr. Drinker's doleful
refrain as a farewell number. There must be some written record of this day but I cannot find it.
You will find photo shots in the 1910 Epitome pages 227-8-9. The Band on p. 228 is No.2 of my
previous list. Top of p. 229 shows the Band listening to ceremonies. Note the advantage of white
uniforms.
Then the Principals and entourage repaired to the Commons for a Banquet. The Band and the
Glee Club remained outside to furnish music when requested. We were grouped in the same
manner as shnwn on p. 229, when Dr. John Brashear, a very beloved old gentleman from
Pittsburgh, one of Carnegie's friends and a famous astronomer and builder of telescopes, came
over and told us of his experiences as a member of a young mens band in Pittsburgh. I believe he
is the figure at the extreme right of lower photo page 229.
I do not recall just how we were fed. Probably sandwiches passed out, to the Band and Glee Club,
while the speeches and toasts went on inside. Charlie Schwab had lots to say. Finally when all
this was over and "The Captains and the Kings had departed," the student waiters announced that
Andy Carnegie's bottle of Scotch had just two drinks remaining so they would give one to Van
Vleck as leader of the Glee Club and one to me as leader of the Band. Umm--, Andy was a good
judge of Scotch whiskey.
(7)
The Band had performed well and was a credit to Lehigh, but we felt that no one really knew
how well we could playas a musical organization. So we decided to give a Concert in, the then
new, Drown Hall.
We secured the necessary permission and outlined a program. I recall Lakey and I put a good
deal of effort on this, and we finally made up a pretty good one. Perhaps not in the orthodox
grouping but we used several lively marches such as "Uncle Sammy" -- "Stars and Stripes
Forever" also selections from Carmen, Poet & Peasant Overture (defying the superstition) and
for our main feature we bought selections from the Merry Widow, then at its peak of popularity.
Mrs. Finnie, mother of Haldeman Finnie '08, was an accomplished vocalist and very kindly
agreed to give several selections with piano accompaniment.
We had the programs printed in a really good style. Lakey took care of most of this. I have a
souvenir copy among my goods in storage which I will give to the Archives if the Band has such
organization.
To be sure we would have a full attendance we advertised “Free Dance” after the concert. That
seemed to do it, as we were competing with the grand opening of the new Roller Rink and also
some Civil Eng. Soc. meeting. Peterson C.E. '08 tried to get us to change our date but we had
made all arrangements. His fears were realized he said later; “When The Stars and Stripes floated
over to his meeting, the C.E. Soc. adjourned to Drown Hall.”
Many of the faculty were present and we had sent invitations to prominent families in the
Bethlehems who patronized Lehigh events. The scouts took care of all these points; I never knew
just how. Jimmy Boyle brought his brother down again as an extra cornet.
The Concert
The Concert was a hit and our audience was really surprised at the ability of the Band to give
proper interpretation to the compositions. Prof. Franklin expressed a pleased surprise at our
nuances. I remember we really interpreted the Merry Widow. The Silly Cavalier sounded
mincing and silly. Jimmy Boyle's cornet sang “My Velia” as a lover should. The famous waltz
was in the good old Viennese mood. "Chels Maximes" Toujours L'Amour.
Mrs. Finnie's vocal numbers were very enthusiastically received and she was presented with the
traditional large bouquet. I believe the scouts arranged this too.
In the dances that followed we did all right for a group that had never played a dance before.
About the only dance forms popular in that period were the Waltz and Twostep. Our tempo on
one of these was better than most dance bands, the crowd told us and that on the other we were
too slow. I can't remember which was which.
When, at last, it was over I made my way back to my room at 430 Cherokee St. and relaxed on
the dark porch with a big cigar and that feeling of exultant pride in the performance of my team
such as football coaches must feel after a successful season including the Lafayette Game.
(8)
Less than half way through the cigar, Lakey's tall figure strode up the steps and plunked down
beside me. In the same exultant tone that matched my thoughts, he summed it up with, “Wel1, I
guess we showed them.” No one could have phrased it better.
During the intermission we had met several of the older Alumni from classes back in 1869 or
1870 who were enthusiastic over our performance. Later, they wanted to pass a ruling that the
Lehigh Band must be engaged for all Lehigh functions requiring a band. Dr. Drinker had to
hedge out of that one. Said he, “Whi1e our present Band has shown itself to be very proficient,
there is no assurance that the Bands of future years will measure up to that standard.” The good
Doctor did not seem to recall that a bare six weeks before he had the same misgivings about our
proficiency.
In the 1910 Epitome calendar for 1908 on p. 324 is this record--May 23-“Band Concert followed by a dance in Drown Ha 11, sets a very successful precedent .” The
Brown and White had no editor for musical review, so I do not know of any record of what was
our finest hour.
Just as it sometimes occurs, even in long established professional orchestras; the stimulus of a
special occasion, the electric tension of a receptive and appreciative audience, provided the lift
for us to give a performance at least 150% above normal.
There were no further activities of the band that season. Those of us who were seniors were
catching up on those details necessary to be sure of a diploma. For the others an election was
held for officers for next year.
It was a depression year, Westinghouse and G.E. were laying off men, and not taking on any
1908 men. I had no job in sight and was making some experiments in the Physics Lab. on my
own, so that when Nov. 21, 1908 rolled around I went along with the Band to the Lafayette game
at Easton as extra trombone. I finally saw Lehigh beat Lafayette. It had not been done in my
undergraduate years. The band was on the job in the victory parade and the big celebration on
South Mountain the following Monday evening Nov. 23. See 1910 Epitome p. 257.
Not long after that Prof. Esty recommended me for a job with the Crocker Wheeler El. Co. at
Newark, N.J. I later went to Westinghouse at E. Pittsburgh so I loot all contact with the Band. I
believe the later bands had much the same spirit and perhaps the same financial difficulties.
At a later date which may have been around 1919 or 1920 the Bethlehem Steel
Company discontinued their Company Band Organization and donated the instruments to the
Lehigh Band. When I read of this my thoughts went back to our tin cup rattling days. At last, a
real break.
Then too, this was just in the return of “G1amour” when every college and high school had to
have a band. Now “The Band” has a status equal with teams. With the large membership
available, college bands put on entertainment between halves rivaling the pageantry of the old
Medieval Jousting Tournaments. It even inspired the cartoon of a football coach pleading with
the Band Leader, "Would you mind, please, getting off the field so we can have a few minutes to
play football." I believe in some colleges, band members get their letter.
(9)
I believe we were one of the first, if not the first, of the private colleges to organize a band. We
had discovered what should have been seen long before: that is, a college band is a very
necessary adjunct to most college activities; it provides a "Team" that many can "make" who are
not qualified for athletics; many students have had good musical educations before entering
college, some on band instruments. Our problem was getting instruments and scores, there was
plenty of talent.
When you look at that group on photo #3, remember they Rate a Salute. Not only as loyal Lehigh
Men: they were a dedicated team; inspired with an almost fanatical determination to make the
Lehigh Band a success. I had only to point out an objective and they went after it like the
Underground Resistance Groups in War conquered lands of recent years.
In all our time there was never a single case of jealousy or friction. In the manner of early day
Americans we worked with little formal system but with complete cooperation.
AND
WE HAD A LOT OF FUN.