The Denmark Cornet Band
Charles Woodroffe
The Denmark Cornet band came together under the influence of Frank Klopfenstein. It was organized July 6, 1906. At this meeting Mr. Frank Klopfenstein was elected president, and Mr. Henry Jaster, secretary and treasurer. There were twenty members signed to this organization.
The first instruction given to the band was by Miss Frances Arnold, who taught us to read notes.
In order that the boys might obtain a little money by subscription to help purchase their instruments, they gave an ice cream social in the park. Mr. George LaDue, who became our first director came out with his Fort Madison band and assisted in entertaining the crowd.
September 15, 1906, having received our instruments the band began taking lessons on Saturday nights with Mr. laDue, as leader.
After the band had made a little progress, Mr. Timothy Whitmarsh kindly consented to assist in instructing the band by giving lessons on Wednesday nights. The band remained under the leadership of Mr. LaDue and Mr. Whitmarsh during the year 1907. During this year the band played around at different places for socials, fairs, etc.
The citizens being pleased with the progress the band was making, furnished the material and left it in charge of Robert Scholtz who was the architect, to build a fine band stand in the park. The stand was completed by the Fourth of July, and in order that we might use it the boys with the aid of the ladies entertainment committee, got up a celebration for the Fourth of July. The ladies were to take care of the stands and the boys were to furnish the music. In other words the women did the work while the boys played.
February, 1908, Mr. Grant from Buffalo, N.Y. became our director. The band has made rapid progress under his leadership. We were all sorry to know that he had to lease us the first of May.
There are twenty-three members in the band now.