Organized 1916
When I was a history student some decades ago, I found that some history was intensely interesting and some of it decidedly boring. I found that the least that repetitive statistics were involved, the more my interest grew. I have no reason to believe this may have changed with the passing of years.
Yet by the very nature of "history" if it is to be written "like it happened", statistics must be endured. So in the instances where "statistics become repetitive" please wade on through. It won't take long. Anyway, maybe the next line or paragraph may lead to adventure!
In essence the order came down from the Illustrious Potentate to the Recorder and from the Recorder to the Unit heads and in turn to the various reporters: "Compile a history of your Unit for the October, 1966 issue of Alzafar Achbar." So what's so unusual about that? In a way, nothing at all. But also in a way, it is plenty. Why, I thought, all I have to do is get the facts from Alzafar Shrine office. They have it all down in black and white. Everything.
They Needed A Computer
It just hadn't occurred to me that the office would have needed a staff just about twice the size of the existing one to have "kept books" on each unit all those 50 years. Also it had not occurred to me that what I really wanted and that to be available instantlywas the answer to any question I might have about something that probably took place even before most of the charming and efficient office staff's parents were born. Yes, just like that, I thought our genial Recorder, Noble Tommy Phillips, Jr. and those charming and efficient assistants had all the answers.
Well, I almost hit the panic button when I learned I might have to do the work myself! I learned also that it has been the responsibility of the various units to keep a record of their proceedings and activities, but many of those of early days who may have done so, did it in vain.
It was during the devastating flood of 1921 that havoc was created in downtown San Antonio. As the story has been given to me, there was nothing left in the way of Shrine records. Nothing at all. Apparently all the band instruments which happened to be in the Temple were lost toowashed away in the flood. Uniforms as well.
Partial Roster of Early Band
Alzafar Band is fortunate in having a retired member who played with the band from 1917 until the reorganization that took place in 1961. 'As a matter of fact, he played with the Kenedy Band which was to become really the nucleus of Alzafar Shrine Band and whose director, Noble T. E. Mumme, was to become Alzafar Band's first director. I refer to Noble Charles C. Cobb, whose assistance in getting together material for this "history" has been of inestimable value.
Noble Cobb was not a charter member of Alzafar Band. However, as he put it, "I sat in at rehearsals and played in all concerts and made all parades for nearly two years before I became a Shriner." In other words, for some 45 years, or until the "reorganization" of the band in 1961, he seldom missed a rehearsal or other function of Alzafar Band.
Alzafar Band Organized in 1916
It was during the tenure of office of Alzafar Shrine Temple's first Potentate, Frank R. Newton, Sr. that the band was organized. This may give the band a claim to being AIzafar's oldest uniformed unit. Or certainly to co-share that distinction.
Perhaps it would be the normal procedure in writing a history of a like organization, to say that the band grew from a charter membership of say 10 or a dozen and that it had a steady growth. But not so. From the beginning the membership roll was about 40. In a matter of weeks, as many as 60 members were present at rehearsals. and playing functions. 'This continued for several years.
It is regrettable that written records are not available giving the names of nobles who comprised the charter members. But this lack we can be sure must be charged to the above mentioned disastrous flood of 1921.
The names of some nobles now deceased, we can believe, may have been charter members are, alphabetically: Noble Arthur Ball, flute. (As previously stated, he was a charter member and is listed again with this group because of the likelihood of there being other charter members in it.) There was a Noble Blaise of Kenedy. Neither his first name nor his instrument could be ascertained. A Noble Boland, piccolo. His first name not known. Noble Charles C. Cobb, alto horn (whom I cajoled and entreated and worried until he, in self defense, remembered many things).
Two Nobles Erickson, were brothers. Neither first names nor instruments are known. (This Noble Martin, brother to Noble Dan Martin listed below.)
Noble Dan Martin, cornet. (An interesting side light on Noble Dan Martin. He sold a Boston 3 Star cornet to our Noble Charlie Cobb. Charlie kept the instrument for a long time. Then when his son-now Noble C. A. "Sonny" Cobb-was old enough he used it, playing it through junior high school and then through high school. Came the day when C. A. or "Sonny" was ready to play in Alzafar Band and a new instrument was in order, the cornet, still shiny and undented, was made into a beautiful lamp for Mrs. Cobb.)
A Noble McCall, saxophone. From Karnes City. First name not available. A Noble McGal, trumpet. First name not known. Noble Stevens, trumpet. First name not known. Noble Sturdevant, Bass. First name unavailable. Noble Percy Thomas, drums. (Even the youngest present band member knows this popular "cross-sticking" bass drummer.)
Noble Roy Westbrook, clarinet. A Noble Wiese, bass. His first name not recalled. There are many others but time has a way of playing tricks on the best of memories. So, until the time come that brings us more light on that distinguished roster, we cannot know their names and, regretfully, their names must be omitted from this group that was the Alzafar Band of half a century ago.
From the beginning Alzafar Band held rehearsals in the Scottish Rite Temple on North St. Mary's Street. Since 1924 and up to the present, rehearsals were and are held in the present Scottish Rite Temple. In a sense, this is correct. However, due to this or that or the other emergency, such as Scottish Rite Reunions, or dress rehearsals, etc. or to the very hot weather (before air conditioning was in general use), rehearsals have been held at various places, notably in KENS and WOAI TV stations.
Band Played In Preparedness Day Parade 1917
From the time of its organization in 1916, Alzafar Band has played ceremonial concerts and for ceremonial parades. A high light of the band's parade appearances came in the colossal Preparedness Day Parade in 1917. A large and excellent band made this outstanding event.
The following year, in 1918, the band played for the funeral of Potentate J. A. Patterson. Quite a bit later the band played in the funeral procession of Mayor J. T. Tobin.
Without having definite information 'on dates, it is known nevertheless that Alzafar 'Band over a period of a long time, played concerts as a civic project in Brackenridge and Travis Parks. In those days of mediocre radio programs the people flocked to the park concerts by the hundreds.
The first man ever to become manager of Alzafar Band was Past Potentate Robert S. Michael. The first to ever become quartermaster of the band was Noble Charles C. Cobb. The first man ever to become drum major of Alzafar Band was Noble Tom Dromgoole.
They Directed The Band
Since Alzafar Band was organized 50 years ago, it has bad 12 directors. Some
have been easy to play under. Others have kept the musicians in a continual dither. But all have had one thing in common. All have been capable.
Since its organization five decades ago, the following nobles have wielded the baton over Alzafar Band as director: T. E. Mumme, to whom goes the distinction of being Alzafar Band's first director. Oscar Witt was second and then followed; Ed Parma; C. E. Wisecup; Fred Mills; Walter Rush; Vernon Mayfield; James Osburn; Ray Mitchell; Bill Bennett; Carmine Luce and Robert Geisler. This covers the period from 1916 to 1966.
Band Furnishes Potentates
Alzafar Shrine Band has furnished the Nobility two potentates since its organization in 1916. The first band member to be so honored was Noble Albert A. Green whose tenure as potentate was for the year 1944. Noble Green was a bass player.
'The second band member to be so honored is Noble Jack B. Lee, whose tenure as potentate was for the year 1964. Noble Lee is a clarinetist. However, most of his musical talents now are concentrated on the organ.
Alzafar Band records extending back many years and up to and including 1952, have been left by Noble Roy Westbrook, a former band secretary. These were taken over by Noble Randolph Blumberg who was secretary from 1953 through 1960. At the time the band was reorganized in 1961, Noble Blumberg was one of those caught in the middle. All of his records, along with those left by Noble Westbrook, were left in Noble Blumberg's locker in the band room.
Unless they come to light from some place where they might possibly have been stored during a changeover of lockers, or the decorating of the band room they may be permanently lost.
It is known that Noble Elmer Gorman, Noble Arthur Turbeville, Noble Bill Bennett, Noble Franklin Anderson and Noble Leighton Fischer all served as band manager during this time.
Band Directors and Officers In Early Sixties
For the year 1961, Noble Carmine Luce was director of Alzafar Band. Noble Jimmy Bell was assistant director. The following nobles were elected or appointed: Randle Tankersley, President; Harvey Kindervater, Vice President; Deighton Fischer, SecretaryTreasurer; Albert Greene, Librarian; Charles "Chuck" Reiley, Board Member; Keith Lyons, Quartermaster.
For the year 1962, Noble Carmine Luce was director of Alzafar Band. Jimmy Bell was assistant director. The following nobles were elected or appointed: Randle Tankersley, President; Bob Like, Vice President; Leighton Fischer, SecretaryTreasurer; Emitte Pugh, Quartermaster; Dennis Hillmer, Assistant Quartermaster; Don Sarli, Drum Major; Fred Blount, Reporter.
For the year 1963, Noble Carmine Luce was director of Alzafar Band. Noble Jimmy Bell was assistant director. The following nobles were elected or appointed: Bob Like, President; Fred Blount, Vice President; Leighton Fischer, Secretary Treasurer; Albert Greene, Librarian; Charles Oldborg, Reporter; Other names are lacking.
For the year 1964, Noble Robert Geisler was director of Alzafar Band. Noble Melvin Meads was assistant director. The following nobles were elected or appointed: Fred Blount, President; Charles Oldborg, Vice President; Leighton Fischer, SecretaryTreasurer; Dennis Hillmer, Quartermaster; Tom Wendorf, Assistant Quartermaster; Ben Powell, Librarian; Gary Bartay, Drum Major; Russ Clary, Reporter.
For the year 1965, Noble Robert Geisler was director of Alzafar Band. The following nobles were elected or appointed: Charles Oldborg, President; Milton Schmidt, Vice President; Leighton Fischer, SecretaryTreasurer; Emitte Pugh, Quartermaster; Dennis Hillmer, Assistant Quartermaster; Fred Blount, Chairman Bylaws Committee; Henry Uecker, Chairman Band Greeters Committee; Dennis Hillmer, Public Relations; Russ Clary, Reporter.
For the year 1966, Noble Robert Geisler was director of Alzafar Band. The following nobles were elected or appointed: Milton Schmidt, President; Harold Snyder, Vice President; Leighton Fischer, SecretaryTreasurer; Homer Driesslein, Quartermaster; Tom Wendorf, Assistant Quartermaster; Russ Clary, Reporter.
Band Is Dissolved - Reorganized
It is not within the province of this reporter's assignment - as he sees it - to editorialize. But it is his job to write the band's story as he finds it, even though incomplete it must necessarily be.
Over a period of 50 years it must be assumed that Alzafar Band has not sailed serenely along all the time. However, the squalls must have passed over without leaving a lasting wake.
There is no evidence of a disrupting schism which is as it should be among members of the Shrine.
However, after some 45 Years of peaceful and harmonious working together, the Alzafar Shrine Band in 1961, and by an edict of newly elected Potentate L. L. "Woody" Woodman, ceased to exist as an organization or unit of Alzafar Temple. It was disbanded to be replaced by a "marching" band. It was replaced. Many members who had played for years were out. In the main, they were members whose presence could be depended upon when the need was great. Those who could march joined the "new" band. As to whether the "new look" in the band had the desired results officially, as a marching band, is not known. Inside the band itself, morale was at low ebb.
It seems that no one questioned the potentate's motives, or had any doubts concerning his desire to give the Temple a better band. But the manner in which the band was disbanded gave many the feeling that the organization to which they had given years of time and talent had rejected them.
There is a bright side to the coin, however. Many of those who could not make the marching band have come back. They continue to do so, one at a time. Morale is high. Rancor exists hardly at all. This is as it should be among members of the Shrine.
So Nobles, interesting or boring, I assure you I have tried hard with the material available, to give you a picture of the Alzafar Shrine Band from its organization in 1916, to the present, September, 1966. I can only hope I may have at least succeeded in part in the telling of the story of Alzafar Band.
They Helped A Lot
I am especially indebted to Noble Charles C. Cobb, veteran member of Alzafar Shrine Band, for data he has been able to furnish when apparently many records have been lost. Without the assistance he has given, my job would have been considerably more difficult - if not downright impossible.
My deep appreciation also goes to veteran band member, Noble Randolph Blumberg and to near-veteran band member, Noble Leighton Fischer, each of whom has rendered great assistance and displayed unlimited patience in arriving at satisfactory answers to my many questions.
To each of these Nobles who wrote the story while I guided the pen, I am grateful.
RUSS CLARY Reporter
