History of the Band

EARLY EMPORIA BANDS

The first band in Emporia was the Hall Brothers' Silver Cornet Band, organized by four early settlers, Samuel, Thomas, James, and Joseph Hall, even though they were known as Sam, Tom, Jim, and Joe. They came to Emporia in 1858. For years the Halls played on all festive occasions, and their music was much in demand. They ran a music store in Emporia for three or four decades. In 1866 another and more pretentious band was organized, and three of the Hall boys were among its members. The members were George Waite, J. R. Hall, A. R. Bancroft, Thomas Manter, Max Fawcett, Thomas Hall, Samuel Hall, Ezra Trask, Horace Bundrem, John Bay, J. T. Pierson, and H. C. Clark. 

The Knights Templar Band, sponsored by Emporia Commandry No. 8, Knights Templar, was known all over the United States as one of the leading bands of the country, and kept up its good work for many years. It was generous with its service to the community, and turned out, without money and without prize, when the town needed its help. It was organized in the seventies [I 870s] by T. C. Davidson, a member of the Commandry who was interested in band music and knew how to teach it. The Commandry bought the band uniforms and instruments, and paid most of its bills. Mr. Davidson played one of the instruments, and kept all the members up to a high state of efficiency. Charlie Holmes played a tenor horn, and Charlie Hibben the big bass drum. Charles Cleaver recalls young Hibben particularly as he was more than six feet tall and only about six inches thick.

When former President Grant visited Emporia, July 5, 1880, the Emporia Knights Templar, with its band, was asked to lead the parade, and its members scoured the country to find black horses enough for the event. Then the Grand Commandry, because General Grant was not a Templar, refused permission for the Emporia Commandry to appear in the parade, as Knights Templar turn out only when the occasion is Masonic in nature. Winking the other eye, Dr. L. D. Jacobs, eminent commander of No. 8, asked permission from the Grand Commandry for No. 8 to hold a picnic and reunion of its members on the fifth of July, and permission was granted.

About the time the Grant parade was forming on Commercial Street, for the review by the General before marching to the Grove, Commandry No. 8, headed by its band, also appeared, ostensibly on the way to its own picnic. But somehow, the band and the Commandry got in line and the rest of the Grant parade dropped in line behind it, and the Knights Templar Band and Commandry No. 8 led the procession.

When the band and the Commandry passed the General's carriage the old war horse arose and stood with uncovered head as they went by. He told one of the men in the carriage with him that he had traveled around the world, that all sorts of honors had been paid him, but this was the first time he had been honored by the Templars.

When this was repeated to Emporia Commandry, the members declared they didn't care what might be the outcome of their disobedience.

Later, an official high in the Grand Commandry was sent to Emporia to investigate this act of rank insubordination, and after considerable discussion he informed No. 8 that its officers would be suspended, but that the Grand Commandry felt that the band must go to Chicago to attend the Grand Encampment, so the Emporia Templars were invited to join in with the Topeka Commandry and go as part of that body. Not a man would go to Chicago under such conditions, and told the high official so, and said if the officers were suspended the members must be also, as all were equally guilty. And they let it be known that they didn't feel so terribly guilty, at that, as they felt they had been justified in honoring the greatest man of his time. They ended with "If anyone is suspended, all must be."

The result was the Emporia Commandry attended the grand encampment in Chicago, and took the band along. It attracted more attention than any other band, with headquarters at the Palmer House. The band played in the lobby, where a band leader from New York refused to leave while the band was playing, as his companion wished to do, saying "See here, you go on and tell them I will be there later. You should know me well enough to know that, so long as that band will play, that long will I be listening. I did not know Kansas could get up anything like that, and I take my hat off to them."

At a meeting following the grand encampment, the Grand Commandry again took up the matter of the Emporia Commandry's disobedience. Finally it was suggested that the whole thing be dropped, and the story of No. 8's insubordination was expunged from the records. No. 8 has grown from its original twelve members to nine hundred.

C. L. Dickerson, piano tuner and band man, was leader of the Emporia band several years immediately preceding M. C. Grady. Dickerson was the promoter of the AllStars Minstrels, an Emporia organization which played in Emporia and surrounding towns the winter of 1895-1896. Among the Dickerson band men were Harry McConnel, John Craig and Will Keefer, all of whom lived in Emporia; Frank Tyler, Hutchinson; Clifford Hillerman, and Ed Malloy, head of the music department of the State Teachers College at Hays. The Dickerson family consisted of Mr. And Mrs. Dickerson and daughter, Freda. They have lived for years in Topeka.

Much of the time during the past thirty years a municipal band has been maintained, the town provided partially for its support. Sometimes the band has been a regimental organization of the State Militia. Marcellus C. Grady, who came to Emporia in the early nineties [ 1890s], was leader of the Emporia band for years, and probably did more for the advancement of band music than any other one Emporia man. [Note: this was written far before the time of Ormond Parker.] Not only did he manage and teach the regular band, but also he had a "kid" band in training, and he gave much valuable instruction to scores of boys and young men of the town. As the boys grew up they filled vacancies in the regular band or, if they left town, they were equipped to join a band wherever they might locate. Since Mr. Grady's death [in 1921 *] the town band has had various leaders. Every Friday night, from May to October, free band concerts are given in the town's two small parks, alternately, and the large crowds that attend attest their popularity.

The town band has been ready at all times to play on public occasions, and has merited the support given by the town and by private citizens. The Emporia Municipal Band of thirty-seven members, Ora G. Rindom, manager, and Dale Stinson, leader, took first place in Class A competition at the Kansas State Fair in Topeka, 1929. The personnel of this band and the One Hundred Sixty-first Field Artillery Band are almost identical, and both receive the benefit of Federal and State support. part of which consists of two weeks' encampment each year, all in addition to the assistance given by the City of Emporia.

In 1907 Ora Rindom, then a student at the State Normal School, organized a twelvepiece band which played for pep rallies, football games, and the usual school activities. In 1911 Marcellus Grady, former director of the Emporia Municipal Band, took charge and continued with his work until 1913 when another student, Albert Weatherly- now director if Instrumental work at Tulsa, Oklahoma- continued with the band work until 1915 when Dale Stinson, a student, now director of the Emporia Municipal Band, took over the work of Weatherly. In 1916 Mr. Grady again resumed the work with the band and continued with his work until the time of his death.* For several years the school was without a band. In 1922 C. W Janssen was employed to take charge of the band work. In addition to a band an instrumental course was formulated for the purpose of preparing teachers to organize and supervise instrumental work in the city schools. At this time the school purchased a number of instruments and band uniforms. Mr. Janssen continued with the work until the summer of 1925 when Forrest L. Buchtel, the present band and orchestra director, came to Emporia.

Under Mr. Buchtel's leadership the band has grown to an organization of sixty players, with complete instrumentation. The band rehearses daily and their prime motive is, not to learn a few marches to be played at football games, but to acquaint students with the best band literature. Additional instruments and uniforms have been purchased each year and almost the entire third floor of Music Hall is given over to the instrumental work. Specially constructed rooms care for a large library of band music and the housing extends the full length of the third floor.

Through the superior work done along this line students have been attracted to the Teachers College from many states. The present band numbers students from Wisconsin, Michigan, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Iowa [as well as Kansas]. Many girls are interested in band work and the present band includes fifteen girls.

The band in 1928 accompanied the football team to Kansas City and Washburn. This year it went to Lawrence for the football game and to Topeka for the Washburn game.

At the time Sousa's band played in Emporia [in 1927], Mr. Sousa gave the Teachers College Band high praise and remarked that it was the first time in his career that he had heard an amateur drummer who actually interested him.

Forrest L. Buchtel, the director, played in the band during his high school days and during his four years of college work directed his college band. Before coming to Emporia, Mr. Buchtel had charge of the instrumental work at Grand Rapids, Michigan.

HISTORY OF THE EMPORIA BAND

The people of Emporia (since about 1890) have always felt enough need for a band that one has always been encouraged and supported. In 1930 the Emporia voters authorized a small tax of 0.3 mills for the support of the band, this raising about $3700 annually. This money was spread between the city band and the American Legion drum & bugle corps. We have very little information about the band in these earlier years. This section pertains to the Emporia Municipal Band and what it was reorganized to in January of 1941 when Grady's Municipal Band was called into active service with the National Guard.

It was announced in the Gazette on January 18, 1941, that the band was reorganized with Reuben Hammer (manager and director) announcing that Ormond Parker had been engaged as director. The first rehearsal of the band was held Thursday, January 16, 1941, in the Whitley Building hall known as the "Emporia Armory". Thirty-seven bandsmen attended the rehearsal although there appears no record of who these musicians were, although some of them were highly experienced. It was reported that Mr. Hammer stated "We had a fine turn-out and it was pleasing to find some older Emporia bandsmen back actively in the organization, some of them who have had 15 years of experience. One of the objectives of the Municipal band will be to provide a place for some of the graduating members of the high school band who will not enroll in college. Several high school seniors who cannot play in the school band because of other extracurricular work attended the rehearsal."

That news article also announced that Mr. Hammer had plans made to buy about 3 5 new uniforms for the members of the band. The uniforms would be of a year-round weight and be attractive but not too flashy, as desired by most of the bandsmen.

At this time the band had two bank accounts, one with $1050 for operations and the other for $160 for uniforms. It was expected that the city commission would soon make a decision to allot 1940 tax money (expected to be $3700) for band operations which was slightly less than the previous year.

A photo in the April 11, 1941, edition of the Gazette identified the members of the reorganized 38 piece Emporia Municipal band that would make its first appearance the next day. The information with the photo further stated:

"The French-blue uniforms, trimmed in gold, were bought through Bruckner's Clothing store. 0. R. Parker is director of the band and Reuben Hammer is the manager. The summer outdoor season of band concerts will start in June. The band is rehearsing for a Boy Scout circus to be held next month and for Memorial Day services."

Members of the band were shown in a picture that followed, with member identities given:

Back rows left to right- Kenneth Brewer, Eugene Crisson.; Envin Gile, Jay Pearson, Robert Fry, C. S. Clay, Richard Northcutt, Harvey James, Charles Hall, Hugh Brogan, Archie VJolcott

Second row from back- Julian Aubuchon Harry Hem, Dr. W. K. Fox, Morris Jones, Ralph Phillips, Theodore Hahn, Charles Jones, Jack Herron, George Kiefer, Laurel Fry

Second row from front- Reuben Hammer, manager Rex Gray, Eberle Baldwin, Earl Porter, Gene Wilson. Dale Merwin. Bill Robertson. Tom Ford, Harry Krueger, Earl Gadberry, Sam Martin, Russell Williamson

Front row- Ormond Parker, director; Robert Purcell, Howard Jones, Dale Stinson. Jr. Bud Green drum major

Bob Dabbs, a drummer, does not appear in the picture.

By April of 1941 the band was well-practiced and ready for a concert. An editorial reported in the April 14 issue of the Gazette:

"Saturday, in all spic-and-span in new snappy blue gold trimmed uniforms, and with their shiny horns the reborn municipal band supported by the taxes of Emporia blossomed out in the parade for Lyon county youth. A swell lot of tooting they did and a fine spectacle they made. The town is proud that after the 161  field Artillery band went out to give its tooting umpahs to the service of this country, another band could be assembled all uniformed and equipped to fill the place of the saviors of the country."

The Gazette later reported band activities under the headline "Emporia's New Municipal Band Has a Busy Season" on May 3, 1941:

"Emporia's new Municipal band of 38 pieces, directed by Ormond Parker, which has won popular approval in its limited appearances, soon will be repeatedly in the public eye, as it is preparing for many engagements. The band will have a part in at least three Festival events and an out-of-town engagement will be the Flint Hills rodeo at Strong City on Sunday, May 25.

"Its first Festival participation will be in the opening event, the Public Schools' show, "America in Song and Dance", on Wednesday, May 14. Its second appearance will I1 be in the Boy Scout circus, the second Festival event Thursday, May 15. The following day it will march in the big "Parade of Fun Frolic".

"The band is slated to play in Emporia for Memorial Day functions on May 30, and in the following week, the organization will give the first of its summer concerts. This will be in Fremont park, on April 6. sic [Probably meaning June 6]

"The new band has averaged an attendance of 34 at rehearsals. Practice is held in the old Company B armory every Thursday evening from 7:30 to 9:30 o'clock. Reuben Hammer is the band's manager."

On Saturday evening, May 10, I941, there was a reception for the homecoming of W. L. ("Young Bill") White at the Civic Auditorium. The EMB, under O.R. Parker, was called upon to supply music for that reception.

The Band was not one to shirk its community services during this war-time. On April 10, 1943 a Gazette article announced that the Emporia Municipal Band would play a special half-hour war bond program to be presented Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock over the Emporia radio station, KTSW. The band's portion of the show would originate from the grill room of the Broadview Hotel. The band, directed by O. R. Parker, would co-star with Alfred Lunt, a well-known Broadway actor, whose portion would be presented from New York by transcription. District Judge Jay Sullivan would also appear on the program to deliver a special war bond message. This program was planned to be the first in a series of weekly programs entitled "Emporia's Treasury Stars" which would feature Emporia musical organizations combined with dramatic presentations by leading radio, stage, and screen personalities. Each program would also include a war bond message by a prominent Emporian.

Every organization suffers changes in personnel from year to year, and a Gazette article on May 12, 1943 indicated that for the coming concert next week the band would have 33 members, the number that the band board voted to retain. (It is a sign of the war times that the band was using 17 members who were also in the Emporia High School band. Many of those people would continue into the future as EMB members for many years.) In the previous 2 '/z years the band had a roster of 94 different members. Of the 61 who had left the organization, 25 were presently in the armed forces; further stated included 3 in the Navy, 3 in the Marines, and 2 members doing defense work in Canada. Members for this concert would include:

Cornets: Laurel Fry, Donald Koons, Henry Dick, George Kieffer, Donald Evans, Jack Herrons

French horns: Charles Jones, Theodore Hahn, Albert Ropfogel, David Green 

Baritones: Robert Fry, Max Williamson

Trombones: Marion Plummer, Vernon Beattie, Bud Riegle, Jay Pierson 

Tuba: Ray Fowler, Norman McAdoo

Drums: J. W. Buehler, Bob Dabbs, J. W. Brinkman

Clarinets: Reuben Hammer, Harry Krueger, Earl Gadberry, Kenneth Peery, Bud Getz, Willard Jones

Flute: Hale James 

Piccolo: Wayne Smith 

Saxophones: Eugene Stair, Warren Phillips, Adair Shoebrook

Director: O. R. Parker

On March 24, 1944, it was announced that O. R. Parker had resigned his duties as director of the band because of his induction into the Navy to be April 11, 1944. A party was given by the band members after a short rehearsal in the Kansas State Guard armory. Mr. Parker was presented with a Navy writing kit and a "My Buddy" book, followed by refreshments. The band members present were:

Robert Fry, Albert Ropfogel, Helen Hollingsworth, Donald Evans, Donald Koons, Henry Dick, Harry B. Krueger, Bud Getz, Harold Potter, Mary Rose, Charlotte Hopwood J. W. Buehler, J. Warren Brinkman, Donald Luallin, Wayne Smith, Hale James, Nadine Noyes, Adair Shoebrook, Goldie White, Marion Plummer, Ray Fowler, Charles Jones, Loretta Horn, Theodore Hahn, Rosalee Askew, Harold Moore, Keith Stafford, Robert Mitchell, Vernon Beattie, and Carl Knouse.

The next day's announcements also note of a backstage party for Mr. Parker hosted by the members of the Emporia Senior High School band and orchestra in the Lowther Junior High auditorium.

During the time of Parker's Navy service, the band was conducted by the manager, Reuben Hammer. And then, when Parker returned in 1945 he was immediately reestablished as conductor and by June of 1946 the series of regular Friday-night concerts was planned with concerts alternating between Fremont park and Humboldt park. Again, the maximum number of members planned was 35, thirteen of whom were return veterans and eight were women. There was the recognition that "for a time there were more women in the band but as the old members returned from military service the girls relinquished their chairs to the veterans". A June 5 article indicated that the members of the band for this year were:

Piccolo: Wayne Smith

Flute: Ray Barnes

Clarinets: Tom Ford, Harry Krueger, Hazel Lester, Mary Jo Ames, lone Coman, Mary Lou Wilson

Saxophones: Goldie White, Pat Phillips, Bud Green, Warren Phillips, Reuben Hammer, Theodore Hahn

Cornets: Julian Aubuchon, Edwin Wortman, Donald Koons, Thelda Askew. W. R. Fox French horns: Dan Lewis, Rosalee Askew, Charlie Jones, Jane Hanna

Baritones: Vail Page, Albert Ropfogel

Trombones: Eugene Grissom, Charlie Hall, Mike Mears, Darrell McDermed

Tuba: Bill Clay, Derrel Merwin

Drums: Henry Cobb, Bob Dabbs, J. W. Beuhler

An article in the June 3, 1947, Gazette indicated that the band would begin its series of weekly concerts for the year starting with June 6, 1947. An accompanying photo identified about 30 of the members.

Front row: O.R. Parker, Bob Dabbs, Henry Cobb, J.W. Brinkman, Harry Kreuger;

Second row: Roberta Briles, Pat Phillips, Bernard Black, Reuben Hammer, Warren Philips, Jane Hanna

Third row: Mary Jo Ames, Dan Lewis, Lois Gaines, Earl Gadberry, Tom Ford, Charles Jones, Albert Ropfogel

Fourth row: Thelda Askew, Bill Dick, Duane Reaka, Dr. W. R. Fox, Donald Koons, Buzzie Stinson

Fifth row: Earnest Russell, Mike Meares, Darrell McDermed, Bill Clay, Jay Pierson, Byron Nienstedt, and Ray Fowler.

Members not in that photo were Julian Aubuchon, Rosalee Askew, Bob Lenigan, and Bob Fry.

(The full strength band was considered to be 35 members.)

The band immediately got into community activities by going to Cottonwood Falls where it would take part in the Flint Hills Rodeo parade because the band had been designated the official band of the rodeo. "Ten-gallon" hats had been ordered for the members and those hats were expected in time for the parade and performances.

New officers of the band were Harry Krueger as manager, Darrel McDermed as librarian, and Mary Jo Ames as drum major. Members of the board were Tom Ford, Dan Lewis and Jay Pierson.

By July of 1947, the style of the band concerts had become relatively fixed. Mr Parker always included a significant number of marches, many of them by the national band master, John Phillip Sousa. There was always a sacred selection. There was always an overture. Popular songs that the audience would recognize were included plus the concert always finished with the national anthem, "Star Spangled Banner". Members of the band were encouraged to work up solos, duets, or trios; sometimes a particular section of the band might be highlighted such as trumpets or trombones. In later years it developed that the concert would start with "Star Spangled Banner" and end with "Home on the Range".

It has long been recognized that audiences in Emporia come to the concert to be entertained. Most of the conductors of the band have taken this into account, and they have usually chosen works that are well-known songs, show tunes, theme songs, or songs by well-known writers. This explains why a significant number of marches are by Sousa, or King, or Fillmore. A significant number of overtures are those that have tunes commonly used in musicals or operas such as the "Barber of Seville", "War of 1812", "Victory at Sea". A significant number of works are from Broadway shows or famous musical compositions such as songs from "Oklahoma" or "The King and I". While this entertainment feature leads to repeating songs from year to year, the audiences never complain, for they enjoy these well-known songs and they let us know it with their applause. We still strive to please our audience. On this note, an interview for the "Sunflower Journey" program mentioned earlier, T. D. Wheat, a director of the Iola band for many years, stated "I think a certain percentage in every community like music. Now, they don't all like a symphony. They don't all like super choral things, but there's a certain something about a band that plays marches and more thrilling kinds of music that there'll be a certain percentage of people who'll be there in spite of anything else."

Gazette reports often included program identifications. Two such programs, early in this history, are as shown here:

18 July 1947: 8 August 1947:

March: Aguero by Franko March: The Cavalcade by Sanford

Overture: March Slave by Tchaikowsky Overture: Peasant Life by Olivadoti

Encore: King Cotton by Sousa Encore: Law and Order by Alford

Solo: Down in the Deep Cellar by Kroepach Modern: Dizzy Fingers by Confrey

Selection: Funiculi Funicula by Denza Selection: Die Fledermaus by Strauss

Encore: Fairest of the Fair by Sousa Encore: Kiefers Special by Kiefer

Sacred: My Faith Looks Up to Thee Sacred: Tell Me the Old Old Story

Character: In a Chinese Temple Garden by Ketelby Character: Dixie Didos by Hildreth

Popular: Down South by Middleton Popular: Soliloquy by Bloom

Popular: Darktown Strutters Ball by Brooks Popular: Waitin for the Robert E Lee by Muir 

Patriotic: Anchors Away by Zimmerman Patriotic: Stars and Stripes Forever by Sousa

Because of the available facilities, the concerts have almost always been held in either of the two downtown city parks each of a square block, Fremont Park at 4th Avenue and Union Street or Humboldt Park at 4th Avenue and State Street. (These regular concerts at regular locations were even noted by author Laura French in her book "History of Emporia and Lyon County" published in 1929.) Humboldt Park was used until that space was needed for the new Recreation Center in 1975, at which time that bandstand was removed. When the Teachers Hall of Fame was established on the old College of Emporia campus, it became the location for one concert each summer when honors were bestowed upon recipients. When arrangements could be made, the band occasionally played a practice at a local nursing or retirement home to make music more accessible. Other community services are developed as needed.

Both of the parks where concerts were held are right next to the railroad tracks. Safety and regulations require that the trains should sound their horns at the approach of every crossing. There are several crossings immediately before and after the blocks of both parks, therefore the trains are noisy. Even as early as June of 1951 members of the audience were expressing feelings about the trains. One writer in "The Wailing Place" of the Gazette commented: 

"Every time The Gazette comes out with a notice of a band concert my heart stirs within me, and I want to go. The Emporia Band is exceptionally fine. Often when listening to an exceptionally well played piece I wonder if well known bands could do better.

"Occasionally my family and I have attended. Always have we come home with a sense of frustration and wonderment. It seems anomalous to us that the concerts are held in either Fremont or Humboldt parks. Both of them are within a stone's throw of the railroad tracks, and it is a coincidence that most trains run at the time of the concerts. We have counted as many as eight trains passing during one concert. It is only the natural thing that whistles are blown for warnings, although it would seem that sometimes they are unusually numerous and especially noisy.... I do think that we owe it to our band boys and ourselves to have a better location for our band concerts."

Ahhhh, yes! That problem! In the 50+ years since the lady wrote that letter, the trains are continually noisy and we've found no good solution for the problem. In fact, Mel Nixon commented about the noisy trains in a Gazette article in July of 1989: "Sometimes we have a problem when a train goes by... it's usually during a solo. It would be nice if we could have a new band shell." It is not unusual for the conductor to simply stop the song and wait for the train to pass. The audience understands. We probably never will have a solution, but let us move on.

After Mr Parker retired, the band was then led for one year, the 1973 season, by Frank Malambri who had been band director at the College of Emporia until its closing in 1973. The next year, 1974,' Marion Plummer took over the conductorship. Marion had also taught music at the C of E and he had played trombone in the Municipal Band for many years earlier, back into the 1940s, being first mentioned in a member list in 1942, again in 1943 and 1944 (earlier in this chapter).

Marion was a graduate of the Kansas State Teachers College, later to become the Emporia State University, and he also earned a master's degree there. He taught high school brass at Garnett and Burlington (Kansas) as well as Army band in Ft Gordon, Georgia. He also worked, on occasion, as a professional musician playing in small bands of 13 to 16 people for headline musicians such as Mancini, Ray McKinley, Bob Crosby. Other of his efforts include original compositions and special arrangements, some of which were performed by C of E and E-State stage bands, and some high school bands. He has commented, "A person can write all he wants, but the real satisfaction come when you hear your piece being performed." 

Under Marion's leadership the band continued the summer concerts but the concerts were moved to Thursday evenings because many members wanted their weekends freer, plus this would be a freer evening time for the audience. About this time the Humboldt park was vacated for building the Recreation Center, so all concerts were scheduled in the Fremont park on the "east side". In this same time period the use of the uniforms was discontinued because the set was getting worn and out-dated, and often did not fit the women who were becoming an important part of the band. The new look became black pants, white shirt or blouse, and black or dark shoes, an arrangement that still presented an attractive appearance. This arrangement continues to present days. One example of that uniform is protected in the Lyon County Historical Museum in Emporia.

Marion commented in one interview, 

"The city band is a good group and a lot of fun to work with. Our main concern is to play decent music as long as the people continue to show up. Some nights are better than others. When we get a small crowd it's not discouraging. Being a musician all your life, you come to realize that a crowd size is just a hazard of the trade."

Melbern Nixon was chosen to be director of the Emporia Municipal Band for the 1984 season. He had been Director of Bands at Emporia State University for 16 years of his career at ESU that began in 1962 after positions in public schools in California, and New Mexico, and Oklahoma. His education included a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Oklahoma State University, 1942) and a Master of Music (University of Michigan 1947). Immediately before he came to ESU he had been on the music faculty at Southeastern State College at Durant, Oklahoma.

In July of 1986 a Gazette article gave a condensed history of the band along with some comments from conductor Mel Nixon. At that time he indicated that he tried to capture some of the feeling that bands had 40 years before, by playing "heavy old time overtures as well as an abundance of marches including some for the kids, Broadway show tunes and other light music, and by changing the concert programs weekly." Mel also stressed that anyone of the community could audition for the band, stating "High school and college students can play by invitation only; however, other community members may volunteer."

In the same article manager Bob Lenigan stated that "it was not too late to become involved with this summer's activities." He encouraged older citizens to play in the band. Both men had observed an increase in interest in the city band in recent years and Nixon noted the nostalgic atmosphere of band music in the park may have brought increasing numbers of people to the concerts. He noted "The summer concerts begin the first Thursday in June; the crowds are good and the people always enjoy the music. During the 70s the crowds were meager, but they have improved over the last few years, sometimes reaching about 300." This number remains a common size of audience, even years after Mel noted it.

Under Nixon's direction, the band reinstated the tradition of a featured solo musician whenever possible for each concert. Mel wrote a script for every concert which was read by Roger Hartsook, the announcer (another development by Nixon.) Also, "practice" concerts were sometimes arranged at area rest homes in Emporia, Cottonwood Falls, or Madison as requested and arranged. The residents of the rest homes did not mind that the band was not totally practiced for these concerts; they still got an enjoyable musical entertainment.

Mel ended his tenure as conductor after the 1992 season, his last concert being July 16th (the very last concert of the season was the usual "jazz band concert" on July 23, as directed by Bob Lenigan). Gary McCarty, an area teacher of music in the public schools began his tenure as the director in the following season, 1993 and continued until his retirement in 2015. He was followed by James R. Davis, a long time member of the Emporia Municipal Band, who stepped down in 2022. The current director is Nancy Riecker, also a long time member of the band and local music educator.