Archive Record
Metadata
Catalog Number |
HRHS-215 |
Collection |
Harrisonburg Boys Band Collection |
Scope & Content |
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Joseph Wampler had a dream. He believed that you could take a group of boys, teach them to play musical instruments, form a band, and travel to small towns and big cities entertaining people. This might have remained just a dream, but Joseph Wampler, a grocer by trade, devoted countless hours, days and months to this idea, and the Harrisonburg Boys Band became a reality. From its beginning in 1931, until the restrictions imposed during World War II forced it out of operation, the band established itself as a respected musical group and won honors statewide. Each year the band competed at the Mountain Forest Festival at Elkins WV, the State Firemen's Convention, the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, and the Turkey Festival in Harrisonburg. Annual trips were made to Natural Chimneys, the Mineral Firemen's Fair, The Louisa Firemen's Fair, along with local lawn parties, company picnics, and reunions. In 1941 a letter was written to Eleanor Roosevelt offering to play at the Easter Egg Rolling Contest on the White House grounds, however there is no evidence that Mrs. Roosevelt answered this letter. The band played for President Franklin D. Roosevelt at the dedication of the Shenandoah National Park at Big Meadows in 1936; and during a cold February morning in 1941 they played when Company C, 116th Infantry left Harrisonburg by train for the trip to Fort Meade. In 1939 five majorettes were added: Genevieve Friddle, Pat Riley, Margaret Smith, Martha Myers and Genevieve Wilberger. About the same time, the band featured "The World's Smallest Director" in Mr. Wampler's son Jimmie and several years later "The World's Tiniest Majorette" in his daughter Dottie. In 13 years the band made 504 public appearances. When the band ceased operation in 1944, the uniforms, musical instruments and music was donated to Harrisonburg City Schools and the Harrisonburg High School Band had its beginning. (Information obtained from Daily News Record, c.1972) SCOPE AND CONTENT: This collection is a history of the Harrisonburg Boys Band from 1931 to 1944. COLLECTION INVENTORY: Folder 1: -List of locations where the band performed, 1931 - 1943 Folder 2: -Alphabetical list of members of the Boys Band, 1931 - 1943 Folder 3: -Financial statements, 1940 - 1943 -Signed statement dated February 7, 1944 from Joseph G. Wampler, giving title, deed and sole custody of the instruments, uniforms, music, funds, and other equipment, which was property of the Harrisonburg Boys Band, to the School Board of the City of Harrisonburg. Folder 4: -1939 documents relating to band performances along with miscellaneous correspondence Folders 5 & 6: -1940 documents relating to band performances along with miscellaneous correspondence Folders 7 & 8: -1941 documents relating to band performances along with miscellaneous correspondence Folder 9: -1942 documents relating to band performances along with miscellaneous correspondence Folder 10: -1943 & 1944 correspondence Folders 11 & 12: -Miscellaneous receipts -Cancelled checks from The Rockingham National Bank, 1944 Folder 13: -Miscellaneous photos of band. Photos online: Photo5124; 5125; 5126.01-.04 Folder 14: -Newspaper clippings for the Harrisonburg Boys Band and Wampler Grocery Store |
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