Marion High School Band Formed - 1939

April 21, 1939 – Marion High School, is after these many years, to have a High School band. At least, sounds coming from the vicinity of the new Manual Arts building on the high school campus indicate that there are some instruments of brass and some thoroughly good lungs in the community and we are taking it for granted that the ultimate aim is a band. The band is being organized by Mr. Ardwll Holmes.

May 26, 1939

Marion School Band - 36 Piece Group Under Direction of Ardell Holmes, will play concerts and make other appearances during the summer months according to announcement yesterday by Holmes.

The band is composed of 36 pieces, all members being pupils of the Marion schools. Their first appearance was Achievement Night and at that time the appearance was well received.

Members and instruments are: Clarinets: Edwin Adams, Louise Shelby, George Patmor, Eddie Bruce Nunn, Thomas Carter, Margaret Carnahan, Martha Stout, Betty McConnell, Geraldine Taylor and Margaret Helen Turner. Flutes: Marilyn Loyd and Linda Lamb. Saxophones: Jane Newcom, Christine Williamson, Harry Hale, Virginia Roe Williams, and Iris Ann Travis. Drums: Laverne Taylor, John Daughtrey, and Jesse Wayne Alvis. Cornets: Betty B. Wiggins, John T. Yates, Doyle Walker, H. C. Enoch, Jr., Buddy Loyd, Willard Moore, Bobby Swisher, and Gelima Paris. Mellophones: Jim Earl Dollins, James Wm. Mayes, and Joseph Young. Trombones: Donald Thompson, L.E. Dunning and Ralph Shelby. Baritone: Mary Helen Franklin. Bass: Dennis Clark.

The Marion School Band in their new Royal Blue and White uniforms with the jaunty over - sea's style cap.

A drive has been launched by a group of civic minded business and professional men for the purpose of purchasing caps and capes for the Marion School Band. The money is to be raised by popular donations and contributions and Neil G. Guess, cashier at Framers Bank and Trust co. has been named trustee of the fund.

Ardell Homes, director, estimates that the cost will be about $10.00 per member and there are 36 members in the organization, thus the total to be raised is set tentatively, at $360.00. No profit is to be made or derived by any individual, all funds will be used exclusively for the purpose of buying the uniforms and when purchased a competent person will be placed in charge of the uniforms when not is use.

July 28, 1939. Marion School Band to appear at Court Square Saturday afternoon. The appearance is a first of of a series planned by band director Holmes. The band has been organized for five months. During that period intensive training has been undergone. Concerts are planed on primary election day and one to be held at Fohs Hall.

Nov. 10, 1939 – Band Uniforms Are Assured For Thanksgiving.

Marion School Band will have uniforms for the annual Thanksgiving grid game against Princeton according to announcement by Ardell Holmes, director.

The uniforms will be of royal blue whipcord capes lined with white satin and the skirts or trousers of white. Members are to furnish skirts or trousers but Holmes made the restriction that these must be of white material. Details of caps had not been worked out when the uniforms were ordered late Tuesday afternoon.

The funds were aided by public donation and climaxes a drive that has been in evidence since early summer. Holmes is holding weekly practice sessions for the Tiger battle and in addition is working on drill formations. The band will make its first appearance in uniforms and also of formations Nov. 30th, the date set by officials for the Marion -Princeton battle. Holmes refused to divulge the formations he has planned but said “they will be surprising.” Drum major Charles Taylor will be flanked by majorettes Louise Franklin and Louise Shelby with “Baby Lou” Williamson as mascot.

The day of the big game finally arrived. The Marion School Band would make its first public appearance in new uniforms, which include a jaunty oversea style cap. The band will enter the field preceding the team, playing a football march. At the half, Band director Holmes, said the band will form a P in front of the Princeton stands and later an M for Marion, concluding the performance with a bell formation in mid-field and from this the Bells of St. Mary's will be played.