The Sixth in a series of articles on the 100th Anniversary of the Glenwood City Park Banshell.

By Steve Nestor

City Park Bandshell

100th anniversary committee

In past articles we have talked about several of the individuals who directed and organized the early efforts and dedication that the area bands and musical organizations received. In todays article we want to raise that discussion and tell you about what lengths the citizens and supporters were willing to take on.

In 1919 a group of underwriters agreed to put up the funds to bring a world-famous band to Glenwood. Although there was not a location that could house the band or the audience needed to make it all work financially, the group still decided to go ahead with the undertaking.

It was decided that a large tent would be needed and it would have to be put up on the Fair Grounds. A crowd of 2,000 was anticipated. The guarantee was thought to be far too great for anyone to take on. When looked at from all sides, a group of ten men stepped forward and said they would cover the expenses. It was then estimated that it would amount to $2,500.00! 

The band would consist of 55 musicians and two soloist and the director. They would be coming from Duluth and then on to Valley City, N.D. No one in West Central Minnesota had ever had the opportunity to hear a band of this quality and notoriety without having to take a train and the expense of that and overnight housing. It was to be an opportunity of a lifetime.

Everything was set. What at first had seemed to be an impossible undertaking was going to occur. The tent was set up and the sides were left open so that folks in their cars could hear the concert. A large expense for advertising and the tent rental was paid. A large sum was paid toathe government. What? A payment to the government? Yes, the band was under the auspices of the U.S. Navy. 

Yes, the World Famous John Phillip Sousa Band was coming to Glenwood, Mn. Yes, the John Phillip Sousa who wrote the ‘Star and Stripes Forever’(United States national March), ‘Semper Fidelis’ (Marine Corp, official March), ‘The Liberty Bell’, ‘The Washington Post’ and oh, so many others, including ‘The Minnesota March’! Sousa was born Nov. 6, 1854 and passed away March 6, 1932. He was known of course as the “March King”. He began his career as a violinist and studying music and composition. His father enlisted him in the United States Marine Band in 1868. He left that band in 1875 and performed as a violinist and learned to conduct. In 1880, Sousa rejoined the Marine Band and was their director for 12 years. Then he led the Sousa Band until his death in 1932. He was awarded a wartime commission during World War I and led the Naval Reserve Band in Illinois. He was later promoted to a lieutenant commander in the naval reserve.   

At that time, the Sousa Band was considered the best band in the world! In Glenwood they ended up playing twice as many pieces as advertised and two encore numbers were given! The soloists were magnificent and nothing, other that the previous day’s weather, was not terrific. Sadly, the large rainfalls that had occurred just days prior to the concert, held down the attendance to much smaller numbers than anticipated. Many who had said they were coming were unable to attend due to poor road conditions. Fergus Falls had experienced a cyclone and the many cloud bursts had kept many others away as well. 

And although the weather cut into the attendance, the crowd was fairly large. The bands manager said that the efforts made in Glenwood were second to none for a community our size. It was another of the many examples of how this area supported musical events and gatherings. In the Glenwood Herald it stated in the following week’s article, that “The ten men who made the guarantee and the amount of loss, if there is any, will not be large on each one. They should be extended the thanks of every person in Glenwood, Pope County and the surrounding area”. 

Well, we will not be having anyone quite so famous as John Phillip Sousa or even Tom Netherton of the Lawrence Welk show or one of the many Twin Cities TV or radio famous “talking heads” that have highlighted earlier Waterama coronations, but we will feature our own area talents at the Wednesday July 9th – 100th year anniversary of the Glenwood City Park Bandshell. Please stay tuned for more details. Hope to see you there ! 

Oh, by the way, the $2,500.00 they paid for Sousa in 1919… that’s $45,000.00 in today’s dollars! 

A special thank you to those who have stepped forward in helping us make this a wonderful event. Recently, Dan Winter has agreed to handle the Sound Engineering for the event. Also, MAHS Music Directors Heidi Polzin and Jeff Iverson will be heading up our musical presentations. The staff and members of the area ‘Just For Kix’ will be handling some of the concessions. And again, a special Thank you to Tim and the Pope County Tribune staff, KMGK, The Glenwood Welcome Center and the Pope County Historical Society and staff. 

So please mark your calendars for Wednesday July 9th…. Let all your family, friends and classmates know. The Glenwood City Park Bandshell 100th anniversary Celebration.