Backs the Band
Charles R. Rayl
Saturday, August 18, 2007
I STRONGLY urge the Emporia City Commission to fund the magnificent Emporia Municipal Band. This band has entertained and performed for over a half century.
Summertime — Thursday evenings — where better to be than in Fremont Park? The band’s concerts are an activity that enhances the lifestyle as people of all ages can enjoy listening to their music.
My mother is over 90 years old and pays taxes, which go toward support of the band. She mentioned that she doesn’t play golf or swim in the city swimming pool. She does attend and enjoys hearing the band play. Emporia is judged by the activities it supports.
This is an activity that can be passed down from generation to generation. You can close your eyes and visualize the World War II generation marching off to war to the march music of the band. The band plays patriotic music for veterans’ ceremonies and it plays inspirational music for the Teachers Hall of Fame ceremonies. The band even has its own theme song.
I look forward to growing old, driving across the beautiful Flint Hills, sitting in my lawn chair under the Fremont Park shade trees, standing for the playing of the national anthem, watching little kids exuberantly marching to the band’s music and standing with pride that I live near a town that has a municipal band that plays “Home on the Range” to the accompaniment of real railroad train whistles.
Charles R. Rayl
Strong City
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
First off I want to commend the band for the fine job it does. I do not personally attend functions that it plays for just as your mother does not use all the city services that are offered. I however am glad that the city is well rounded and offers things for a wide range of people instead of just serving a narrow few.
That being said, notice that all departments have been asked to cut back. (see the last article written about the budget) I would hope that the band would be so driven that if the city could not afford to pay them a "whole salary" for one year, that they might do like most other community or city bands do and have a fund raiser or seek some private support. If there is as much community support as it appears there is, then some of these people might be able to step forward to help for one year.
From browsing the city commission meetings minutes, it is evident that several departments within the city have to seek grants from time to time so that they can get things the city cannot afford such as some of the new bridges and streets that are under construction. KDOT and other funding pays for parts of those projects.
Lastly, I have lived in several small towns and all of their municipal bands are community supported through fund raisers and most of the musicians had enough fun that they saw no need to be paid to do something they love so much.
This is not in any way meant to knock the band as it is very obviously appreciated for what it does. Personally I hope they find a way to survive.
August 18, 2007 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )