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In the mid 1800’s, cornet bands formed around the country and were popular for community entertainment. Lowell had its own cornet band which formed around 1867.
Coronets were classified in multiple styles. The original band members and their instruments were: George Balcom,* leader and alto; William Edie, cornet; Earl Avery, cornet; O.O. Adams,* cornet; Henry Bosworth, alto; L.C. Hildreth, alto; John Maynard, tenor; Mack Shaw*, tenor; William Cullen, baritone; A.C. Sherman, tuba; O.A. Robinson, snare drum; and Eugene Mathewson, base snare drum. Later, S.P. Hicks led the band, and in 1876 the band had grown to 16 members. As with cornet bands around the country, the Lowell Cornet Band played in competitions, Decoration Day festivities, picnics, fairs, local dances, and political rallies. Some examples include - • In December of 1870, the band played at the 5th reunion of the 21st Infantry. As music was a necessary element of communication both on the battlefield and in camp, many of the band members were not only experienced Civil War Buglers, but they were also in leadership positions as principal musicians, chief musicians and chief buglers. Unfortunately, the weather was bad on the night of the reunion, but despite that, there were still over 200 people in attendance. Many attendees said it was the happiest occasion that they have ever seen. • In August of 1878 the Old Settlers Picnic was held at Island Park. It was a great success, with over 50 people attending from Grand Rapids. The picnic began with a parade through town, led by the cornet band. The community was proud of the cornet band and bragged on it. In October of 1878 it was reported that “the Lowell cornet band was a hit at the Greenville Fair, better than the Ionia Band.” • In July of 1879, the Lowell Cornet Band accompanied an excursion from Grand Rapids to Lansing. The band played in open air concerts in the evenings. It was said that “all who heard them did not wonder that they won such high honors at the last State Band Tournament at Port Huron. The band is unquestionably one of the best in the state, and its repertoire is excellent!” The group left Grand Rapids with 600 people but had swelled to 1000 by the time they reached Lowell. The group had lunch in the old capitol building and was given a tour of the new capitol, dedicated earlier that year on January first. The community supported the band. Numerous fundraisers were held to help the band buy uniforms and instruments. In August of 1874, George Balcom gave a public and sincere thank you to those who generously contributed to the fund that was used to purchase a new silver E Flat Cornet. In 1878 S.P. Hicks was surprised when the community gifted him a new cornet. The larger community also supported the Lowell Cornet Band. In 1880 a Masquerade Ball was put on by the Cornet Band. A large group from Grand Rapids made the trip to Lowell. It was said “The music was specially good, and the GR people are enthusiastic in its praise. The ball was a complete success in all respects and will add a goodly sum to the band’s treasury.” The band supported each other, as demonstrated in the concerts they gave with the proceeds going to their bandmate, L.C. Hildreth in 1878 during his time of need. At least five of the horns were from the Schreiber Cornet Manufacturing Company and were very rare. Louis (Ludwig) Schreiber was born in Germany. He was a cornet soloist at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. He received a patent for his four-valve cornet, his S-shaped brass instrument design along with patents on brass instrument making tools. The band was excited when given the opportunity to play new instruments. In 1877, E.F. Doty was given a glockenspiel. A glockenspiel is a percussion instrument similar to a Xylophone. It is played by striking the metal bars with mallets. The band met for practice in the second story of the Reed building; the first floor being occupied as a store and tailor shop by Mr. Pullen. Will Pullen Jr., talked of jokes and pranks he observed as the band spent time together. One night he recalled that Mac Shaw was making a horrible noise and the leader, George Balcom, on investigation, found that Shaw was blowing on the wrong piece of the instrument. Another time Mr. Pullen put tobacco in Mac Shaw’s instrument mouthpiece. Of course, Shaw hated tobacco. Shaw didn’t discover it until he started to play. When Shaw reacted loudly, Balcom asked him what the matter was. Shaw responded, “oh nothin’, only I can lick the man that put this terbaccer in my horn.” The Lowell Cornet band provided great socializing opportunity for the people of Lowell by very talented men who had their day jobs but came together and gave of their time and had fun along the way. The research on the Lowell Cornet Band is continuing. The museum is hoping more information regarding these men and their instruments will be forthcoming. If you have any information, artifacts or pictures, please contact the museum at 616-897-7688 or [email protected]. Images: George Balcom soprano coronet Lowell Coronet Band Masquerade Ball Invitation front cover Lowell Coronet Band Masquerade Ball Invitation back cover A.C. Sherman, tuba Alto coronet Alto or tenor cornet B Flat coronet B flat tenor Bass baritone Alto coronet, possibly Lester Hildreth Earl Avery, coronet Eugene Mathewson Drummer O.A. Robinson Drummer Soprano cornet S.P. Hicks |
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