Cape, Jackson bands begin seasons with Memorial Day concerts

The Cape Girardeau and Jackson municipal bands began their seasons by giving tribute to veterans on Monday, with each band opening its respective city's Memorial Day ceremony.

At the Jackson ceremony, Sen. Kit Bond, one of the first to speak, said honoring those who serve in battle became more personal for him when his only son, Sam, joined the U.S. Marine Corps and spent two tours of duty in Iraq.

"I know first hand what is at stake, which is why I respect your service and your sacrifice," Bond said.

At the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau, Francis Turley, a past national president of American Gold Star Mothers Inc., told a crowd of more than 300 that losing her son in Vietnam made her more aware of what she and other mothers could do for the comrades of their children.

"We have a responsibility to the living," Turley said.

Some were dressed in stars and stripes at the Memorial Day program Monday at the Osage Community Centre. (Fred Lynch)

In its first official concert of its 109th year, the Cape Girardeau municipal band was scheduled to play a second time later in the evening at the band shell in Capaha Park, also focusing on patriotic themes.

The band tries to vary its performances, which are every Wednesday evening through the 11-week season, plus holiday performances, said director Ronald Nall.

"We always repeat the Sousa marches, those never get old, but we're always looking for new pieces to give a little variety," Nall said.

Nall, who is in his 17th year as director and began as a member of the band in 1966, said some of the themes in the past have ranged from jazz and swing numbers to a "south of the border" night featuring Spanish-influenced pieces.

On June 10, the band will play through a "rose-themed night" with pieces like "A Rose for Cape Girardeau," and "Everything's Coming Up Roses," for the Rose Garden dedication.

Frances Turley, a member of American Gold Star Mothers, speaks at the Cape Girardeau Memorial Day program Monday at the Osage Community Centre. (Fred Lynch)

The municipal band began in 1900, Nall said, and originally received funding from a "band tax," one-eighth of one cent, passed in 1927, but over time the city grew to exceed the small population size required to have the tax.

Now, the parks and recreation department uses about $20,000 per year to fund the band, money that goes for a $20 concert and rehearsal stipend for the members, as well as updating the music, which is done as frugally as possible, Nall said.

At a city council meeting in April to discuss budget cuts, Mayor Jay Knudtson said the proposition of eliminating one of the concerts the municipal band gives each summer, a projected savings of about $1,500, wasn't acceptable.

Knudtson offered to pay the $1,500 out of his own pocket to avoiding canceling a concert if the city decided the cut was necessary.

"We really appreciate his support," Nall said.

"We would hope the parks department feel it's a valuable thing for the community," he said.

The band provides entertainment and social activity for Cape Girardeau's older crowds, one of the few events especially geared toward older folks, Nall said.

During the summer, each concert draws crowds of between 200 and 400 people for each performance, Nall said.

The band has considered finding corporate sponsorship, Nall said, but that raises other problems if sponsors decide to back out after only a few years.

Nall said he does believe that many of the band members would play without the stipend, but hates to consider that option because some of them are college students home for the summer who could find work elsewhere, and that other municipal bands have higher pay.

"I do think that would hurt the quality of the band, but I don't think any of us are in it for the money," Nall said.

Nall said he thinks the band would be willing to give up a concert if it would help out.

Many of the band members are directors of area high school bands, so have to quit around early August anyway because school is getting back in session, Nall said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

388-3635

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