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Show Nr. THE CITIZEN JJ!ka IHIoM suadl Ellis IBasidl inks 0 first season when a collection was taken up and they were presented with $54.25 for the seasons work! was an auspicious occasion for young Johnny Held, that after- noon of June 26, 1886, when he stood on an improvised band stand IT jffOLLOWING that, the band orig-matthe band concerts at Liberty Park, giving the first one about 1901 on benches pushed out on the center lawn. When the Elks held their jubilee at the park a few years later, a stand was erected with ed at the comer of Main and First South streets, baton in hand, and conducted Salt Lakes first downtown public band concert. That, too, was the first public appearance of Helds Concert band, which in the succeeding forty-thre- e years has become the wests best known musical organization. . ' There was quite a history to that first concert. Back in the eighties there were no organized bands, the city relying on volunteer organizations in the Sixth, Seventh, Tenth, Sixteenth and Twent wards and the Sunday School union for its band music. y-fi- a canvas roofing, which proved rst ; John Held was with, the Sixteenth ward band . at that time, and became somewhat riled because of the lack of real ly good music. . So he gathered together .the two or three outstanding playing of players band then each organiz- ed, talked the boys into forming an organization and af- ter the fellows had all agreed to stick together for two years, the band was launched. . tally inadequate considering the weather. The band has continued through until the erection of the present musical facilities. Helds band played regular Sunday night concerts at the old Grand theatre, and at that time the concerts were about the only Sunday night entertainment in the city. The visits of the United States presidents to Salt Lake are chronicled in the programs of the veteran musical organization. Helds favorite storv is told in connection with the visit of Theodore Roosevelt in 1908. Helds band was the official parade band, and led the parade past the reviewing stand. Held continues: Our part in that parade was to keep right on going, but we pulled a little surprise for them. I knew President Roosevelts favorite tune, and as we swung to .the reviewing stand, I faced the band around, stopped, and as the parade continued by, we played Carrie Owen, that rollicking Irish jig. The president was amazed. First he was surprised, then a happy grin broke over his face, he turned to Governor Wells, slapped him on the back, and whooped: Theres a bully tune ! Thats my favorite Held and his band played for A. Garfield, for . President. James Woodrow Wilson, Warren G. Harding and William H. Taft. old Salt Palace at SALT LAKES South and Main streets echoed the strains of Helds music for six vears. From 1901 to 1906 the band played regularly, varying its concerts with appearances at the bicvcle races which at that time were Salt Lakes favorite sport. Back in 1895 the band played the opening of the Salt Lake stock exchange. Old Calders park, too, secured Helds band. Prior to 1908 the band played most of its time in the city and state, with the exception of a few barnstorming trips. These trips includ- ! John Held, two years after the organization of his band slouch HELDS first band wasandno for its organization, first concert there were 24 musicians appearing. The members of the band much longier than the .fy stayed together two years they agreed, and today three of the original members still are in the roster. They are Walter . Sims, solo clarinet; Thomas Ash, horn, and Wallace Youngdale, first clarinet. Many of the members of the band have played with the veteran conductor for more than thirty years. Helds band is a band of interesting history, so closely connected with . the. history of the- state that the events of any prominence could Be - traced through a record of the appearance of that organization. In 1892, as the capstone of the great Temple was laid,' the band played Capstone March, written bv Mr. Held for the occasion. That is a favorite diversion of the Utah musician the writing of tunes for special occasions. Back when Governor Heber M. Wells was inaugurated, Helds was the official band and played Inaugural Waltz. Helds band appeared in the street concerts started in 1886 for teen years. The conductor relates with a twinkle in his eye that the first money they ever received for playing came at the close of that. - to- 1 m |