I was forwarded the following email from one of Debra’s friends, Sandra:Hi! My apologies for sending out a mass email. I basically bcc'd my entire address book. The Hawaii County Band needs your help. Please sign this online petition and show your support for keeping music alive in our community. This band is 127 years old! It was established in 1883. It's been around since the Hawaiian Monarchy and survived the overthrow of the kingdom, 2 world wars, and the great depression. We're funded by the Dpt of Parks and Recreation, but this year, as of June 30, the funding will stop if the budget passes the County Council. Our portion is about 1.2% of the P&R's budget and yet, we are the only program that was cut. This decision was made by the director and his deputy who has held their position for less than 2 years. We play concerts, parades, veteran's/memorial day ceremonies, and other community events. I've been in and out of this band since high school and have been playing continuously for the past 13 years. I love this band. It's an honor to play in this ensemble so rich in history and tradition. One of our trombonist has been playing for 64 years! And yes, he marches in every parade. Please sign our online petition and ask your friends to do the same. http://www.petition.fm/petitions/savetheband
Every voice will help.
Mahalo,
Sandra
Every voice will help.
Mahalo,
Sandra
I was surprised to see that Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, has this issue covered - from the formation of the Band in 1883 all the way to the anticipated mid-May, 2010 decision by the County Council and/or Mayor. Check it out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii_County_BandPut your cursor on any of these links, they should light up for you. Here’s a current (today) article from the Hawaii Tribune Herald:
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/articles/2010/03/19/local_news/local01.txt
The following is an article that was printed in the Northwest Hawai`i Times some years ago. I’m sure the author, Rodney Wong and the Times won’t mind that I reprint it here for convenience so all of you out there can get a quick idea about the tradition and people behind this band.
The Hawaii County Band:121 Years Old and Still Going Strong
By Rodney Wong
Hawai`i County Band member
The Hawai`i County Band has served the Island of Hawai`i (the Big Island ) continuously for 121 years. It was formed as a family band in 1883 by brothers, Joaquin and Jules Carvalho, immigrants from the Azores Islands, who made their living as barbers in Hilo. On concert days, they closed up the shop; Joaquin would take the baton to lead the band while Jules played the cornet. After the concert, they would re-open the barbershop and go back to cutting hair.
During the 41 years that “Professor” Joaquin directed the band, he established the now standard Tuesday and Thursday evening rehearsal schedule, which amounts to over 11,000 rehearsals after 121 years.
The band was known as the Hilo Band during the Hawaiian Monarchy and the Republic of Hawai`i. After annexation and the formation of local counties, the band officially became the Hawai`i County Band in 1900. Mo`oheau Park Bandstand, dedicated in 1904 by Hilo businessman Admiral George Beckley, has been the band’s performing home for the past one hundred years.
After Joaquin died in 1924, the band had several directors until 1943, when Urban Carvalho, son of founder Jules Carvalho, became bandmaster. Urban was also the director of the Hilo High School Band, resulting in the recruitment of the best high school players for the band. Urban’s term ended in 1963 when the job of band director became a politically appointed position.
Andres Baclig was the first appointed director and held the position for 11 years. He was succeeded by Armando Mendoza and then John Hursey who was also band teacher at Ka`ū High School. Since 1981, the band has performed under four different directors: David Lorch, Wayne Kawakami, Randy Skaggs and Paul Arceo, all outstanding musicians and high school band directors.
With the exception of the director, who is full-time, the musicians are part-time employees of the County of Hawai`i and receive a small stipend. Day jobs among band members include chimney sweep (yes, with the top hat,) fruit farmer, astronomer and funeral director. One trombonist, retired trucking executive Wendell Leite, has 57 years of continuous service!
For 121 years, the Hawai`i County Band has been performing and providing free music for public ceremonies, festivals, parades and concerts with a repertoire representing the rich and diverse interests and cultural background of the Big Island.
Rodney Wong has retired from teaching but not from music. He has been with the County Band (but not continuously) since he studied with Urban Carvalho at Hilo High School. In addition to the trombone, he plays the piano, the `ukulele and anything else he can get his hands on. He also composes and arranges music that has been played in Hawai`i , Japan, China and Europe. You will find him playing and singing at weddings, funerals, anniversary parties, baby lu`au, yakudoshi… He lives in Hilo with his wife Pat, who informs us that he also sings in the shower.
During the 41 years that “Professor” Joaquin directed the band, he established the now standard Tuesday and Thursday evening rehearsal schedule, which amounts to over 11,000 rehearsals after 121 years.
The band was known as the Hilo Band during the Hawaiian Monarchy and the Republic of Hawai`i. After annexation and the formation of local counties, the band officially became the Hawai`i County Band in 1900. Mo`oheau Park Bandstand, dedicated in 1904 by Hilo businessman Admiral George Beckley, has been the band’s performing home for the past one hundred years.
After Joaquin died in 1924, the band had several directors until 1943, when Urban Carvalho, son of founder Jules Carvalho, became bandmaster. Urban was also the director of the Hilo High School Band, resulting in the recruitment of the best high school players for the band. Urban’s term ended in 1963 when the job of band director became a politically appointed position.Andres Baclig was the first appointed director and held the position for 11 years. He was succeeded by Armando Mendoza and then John Hursey who was also band teacher at Ka`ū High School. Since 1981, the band has performed under four different directors: David Lorch, Wayne Kawakami, Randy Skaggs and Paul Arceo, all outstanding musicians and high school band directors.
With the exception of the director, who is full-time, the musicians are part-time employees of the County of Hawai`i and receive a small stipend. Day jobs among band members include chimney sweep (yes, with the top hat,) fruit farmer, astronomer and funeral director. One trombonist, retired trucking executive Wendell Leite, has 57 years of continuous service!
For 121 years, the Hawai`i County Band has been performing and providing free music for public ceremonies, festivals, parades and concerts with a repertoire representing the rich and diverse interests and cultural background of the Big Island.
Rodney Wong has retired from teaching but not from music. He has been with the County Band (but not continuously) since he studied with Urban Carvalho at Hilo High School. In addition to the trombone, he plays the piano, the `ukulele and anything else he can get his hands on. He also composes and arranges music that has been played in Hawai`i , Japan, China and Europe. You will find him playing and singing at weddings, funerals, anniversary parties, baby lu`au, yakudoshi… He lives in Hilo with his wife Pat, who informs us that he also sings in the shower.
Copyright © 2004-2009 by Northwest Hawai`i Times
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
I’m passing the information on to you because some of you out there may have a passion for this sort of thing. Or, maybe some of you are a bit irritated with our “elected” officials who are more into playing “official” than looking out for the interests of the people of Hawaii, and its children (furlough Fridays?). I think you’d be hard pressed to find anything more “about the people” than a community band that has been playing for the community of Hawaii since the Hawaiian Monarchy.
If you have an interest, maybe you’ll take the time to sign the online petition and pass the message on to your friends, relatives, people on your mass email list, enemies, people on someone else’s mass email list, etc., etc.Here’s the petition link again. If the link doesn’t work from here, just cut and paste it to your browser. http://www.petition.fm/petitions/savetheband
Lucky, we live Hawaii . . .
Aloha, and
Have a Great Weekend!
Calvin
ps - You can dance to the Band's music. :-)
