Dickinson City Band

A city band has been part of Dickinson's history since three years after the settlement began. It was May 5, 1885, that residents of the community first met to organize a band to perform at local festivities and plans were made to order I0 instruments from Chicago to get the organization started.
Officers for that first group were James Collister, president; W.H. Richards, secretary; D.E. Bailey, treasurer; and Joseph Taylor, instructor. The new group was to be known as the Silver Cornet Band and community people began the task of raising money to make it a reality.
A Christmas ball during the 1885 holidays attracted between 60 and 70 couples and raised $80 for the effort and the appearance of "The Alabama Blacks" at the city rink in February of 1886 netted another $30 for the project. The band made its debut in the city at the famous 1886 Fourth of July celebration at which Teddy Roosevelt was the guest speaker. Some 15 members were led by D.E. Bailey and, according to accounts of that occasion, made a big hit with the listening public.
By spring of 1887 a bandstand had been erected in the city so that summer concerts could be given for music enthusiasts and these appearances became a regular part of the city's entertainment before the turn of the century. A news article in 1894 said the band was planning a basket picnic social at Fisher's Grove on the Green River, another favorite gathering spot. As the century drew to a close, the Silver Cornet Band was on hand to salute the departing members of Company K as they left for the Philippines in 1898 and to welcome the veterans home in the winter of 1899.

New Band Leader 

It was earlier that year that A. T. McNaughton of St. Paul had arrived to take over leadership of the group and J . F . Slack , the band president, announced that the evening outdoor concerts would be resumed again. In the early 1900s it was Dr. H .A. Davis who became one of the band's most ardent supporters, playing the tuba, violin and supplying some leadership for the group. 
Other members playing in the 1 906 group, which was engaged to play at the Mandan State Fair, were: Max Steele, Dave Littlehales, Jack Dodd, cornets; John Leask, piccolo; Bill Leask, solo alto; Sam Leask, baritone; Ed Durant and Fred Metsiff, tenor; Charley Banker and Charley McWilliams, clarinet; Joe Lenneville, bass drum; Story Auld, snare drum; and Frank Smith, Jack Wicks and Flo Cunningham. 
One year later the group was reorganized as the Dickinson Military Band, under the sponsorship of the Commercial Club. Leo Gillman , a cornetist and photographer with Osborn Studio, was the director of the band, which furnished the music for the dedication ceremonies of the new Armory on February 24, 1907 . 
Although the Dickinson Military Band was phased out after several years, they did acquire blue and yellow tailored uniforms. During its existence, the group played for dances and other entertainments in the city, in addition to "Observing the Fourth of July in a royal manner in 1909" according to The Dickinson Press. 

Although local musicians continued to gather to play for their own enjoyment and for city festivities during the next five years, it wasn't until 1914 that the band was once again reorganized under the baton of Prof. George Lager of Little Rock, Arkansas, an accomplished musician who had led a large military band in Detroit. According to srune accounts of Lager's brief stay in Dickinson, the director was demanding and temperamental, failing to under­ stand that he was working with volunteer amateurs rather than paid professionals. He left after one year, but during his stay also organized an orchestra that played for pictures at the old Opera House. 

Patterson Arrives

The "golden age" of Dickinson City Bands began with the arrival of Phil Patterson, an experienced and accom­plished musician who took the leadership role in 1920. Under his baton the band flourished for more than 30 years and became an integral part of all city festivities during that period. After being moved from rehearsal space in the Armory, City Hall and the Soules Building, the group began to meet regularly in the McKenzie Building and the old Labor Temple (location unknown).

On April 15, 1920, the Dickinson Municipal Band was ready for its first concert under Phil Patterson. The event, which featured Marie Lish as soloist, was held in the Dickinson Armory and opened with Sousa's "Washington Post March". The concert ended with a public dance.

Members of this band were: A.E. Smith, J . A . Rose, Peter Ames, Joseph Scheeler, Guy Putman, Paul Dickey, Merrill Smith, Kenneth Smith, Laudie Vranna, Francis Swope, Harold Beedle, W. Robertson, Otto Hennings, Gene Whiting, Morris Horn, C.S. Patzer, Glenn C. Archer, Oliver Olson, L.F. Perkins, C. Williams, Raymond Gaab, Russell Reed , Frank Windmiller, Vincent Miklautsch, Phil Schlosser, Otis Lee, Mrs. Christine Messersmith, Jacob Hehn, Adolph Hehn and Elliot Freeman.

The group thrived under Patterson's tutelage and was invited to play for Governor Langer's inaugural ceremonies, in addition to their regular program of 12 summer concerts , appearances at Flag Day, Fourth of July, and Armistice Day ceremonies. Patterson continued as band director until 1953. (Information summarized from Centennia Roundup).

Dickinson City Band