HMMF Board ot Directors meets monthly on the third Monday of each month. The meetings are open to Foundation members and agenda items may be suggested to board members at any time. Members of the Board are: Jim Hoyt (Vice President), DeWayne Roberson (Secretary), Vicki Volp (Treasurer), Dusty Duesterhoeft, Rachel Martalock and Ward Wheat. Jon Condon (Bandmaster), David Woolpert (Managing Director) and Dan Woolpert (Bandmaster Emeritus and Instrument Curator) are Ex Officio members of the board and are regular attendees. It is the work of the Board to manage the finances of the Foundation, to set policy related to the Foundation and its sponsored organization, the 1st Brigade Band. Board meetings are characterized by a spirit of congeniality and cooperation among the members. It has been a good year and I have been privileged to serve as President.
Our thanks go to three Board members whose terms of service expire this year: Jim Hoyt, Vicki Volp and Ward Wheat. We appreciate their on-going commitment to the Foundation and the 1st Brigade Band, and the work that each has done for the organization during their term.
Much of the work of the Board could be considered routine. There were, however, several issues that stand out as worthy of mention: Deb Gilbert and her committee of workers have begun work on the quilted window treatments. As we have seen, these historically significant fabrics will one day enhance our rehearsal hall. We have generated and the Board has adopted a job description for the position of Product Sales Manager. The next step is to fit personnel to the position. If you have an interest in working in the area of product sales, please contact a Board member. We have proposed amendments to our HMMF ByLaws that will bring them into line with present Band management practice. Be prepared to vote on the amendments at this annual meeting. Our Friends campaign this year, conducted in November, resulted in a substantial response. Thanks go Carol Short for her management of the Friends program. It's interesting to note that seven band families contributed a total of $775 to the campaign this year. That's impressive, but we could do better. Please consider adding your personal contribution this year. Remember, it's tax deductible!
These are some of the highlights of the board activities for the year. In addition, the board deals regularly with matters of Heritage Hall maintenance, acquisition, restoration and maintenance of instruments, monthly financial concerns, personnel issues and other routine matters.
Respectfully submitted,
Ted S. Tweed, President HMMF
The 20th Annual Harvest Benefit Ball was held on Saturday evening, November 1Oth, 2007 at Memorial Hall in Racine, Wisconsin. An eleventh-hour change from the originally scheduled date of November 3rd, 2007 was necessary due to a Memorial Hall booking error.
The difficulties dealing with Memorial Hall management and the late discovery or the booking error made events leading up to the Ball less than pleasant. However, to compensate HMMF for their error, Memorial Hall management allowed us to use the facilities at no charge. We had to reprint some materials to avoid confusion as to the date of the event, but removing facility charges significantly increased net proceeds from the event. Further, in spite of the late change of date, attendance increased over the previous year, with total ticket sales of 166. An exact accounting of the event is difficult for me, since some bills do not come to me, personally. Vicki Volp's figures will tell the full tale, but I believe the net profit from the 20th Annual Harvest Benefit Ball is somewhere in the $1,500.00 to $1,600.00 range.
The 20th Annual Harvest Benefit Ball was, in my estimation, a success in terms of both quality and profit. We hired a new caterer, and his food and presentation were very nice. As always, we had an enthusiastic crowd on the dance floor right to the end of the evening. This is testimony to the quality of The 1st Brigade Band. Each and every Band member should be proud of what we accomplish. Were it not for the talents, dedication, and personal sacrifice of each of you, there would be no Harvest Ball. I want to thank each of you for what you give to the public, and what you give to me. It is an honor to be a member of this organization.
Behind the scenes, there were many people who put in extra time and effort to make the Ball a success. I always worry about missing someone, and I apologize if I do, but some special thanks go to the following:
Lori Linde, for all her graphic arts magic and patience
David Woolpert, for his counsel and stage assembly wizardry
Jon Condon, for program development and tireless stick-wavin'
Kate Wheat for donating door prizes, writing snappy comments that make me sound witty, and being the Ball Mistress
Waaaaaaaaaaard Wheat (for buying pop for the Band and being the Ball Master)
All of the folks who showed up early to decorate and set up Memorial Hall
Ruthie Polka for arranging sub sandwiches for the Band
All of the folks who donated the food and toxic cherries necessary to sustain the Band during the Ball
Vickie Davis for running the sound board after the date change took Darl Shimko out of the picture
Everyone who, after a long day and a chop-bustin' four hours, helped pack up our toys
The 20th Annual Harvest Benefit Ball will be held at Memorial Hall in Racine on November 1st, 2008. As has been the case the last few years, and especially in light of the booking error this year, there was discussion as to whether or not we would return to Memorial Hall. I personally feel that Memorial Hall, while less than perfect, continues to be a good venue for the Ball, I know of no other facility that offers similar architecture and Size for a comparable price. We will continue to search for other venues, and I appreciate hearing from anyone who has thoughts on this matter.
A couple of additional items weighed into the decision to return to Memorial liall in 2008. First, I believe that Memorial Hall heard my concern over their management style. To their credit, they accepted responsibility and made a reasonable attempt to compensate HMMF for their errors. They have already provided me with a contract for 2008, and I anticipate that they will continue to be responsive to my requests.
Second, we applied for a grant from the City of Racine, and they have awarded us $1,180. We have already received a check for a bit over $900, with the remainder promised after we submit a post-event summary.
As always, I welcome thoughts as to how the Harvest Ball might be improved.
Submitted respectfully,
--Greg Davis
A total of 81 Contributors to the FRIENDS totalled $12,095; an average of $149.32 per donation. By rank, there were 3 Generals, 2 Colonels, 3 Captains, 10 Lieutenents, 17 Sergents, 33 Corporals, 11 Privates, and 2 Memorial Donations.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol Short, FRIENDS Coordinator
This year marked a watershed year for instrument donations, as the Band's original founder, Fred Benkovic donated a large portion of his remaining collection to HMMF. There were also some individual donations of important instruments to the Foundation, and a couple of purchases as well. Fred's donations, though comprised of some period brass, also included keyed brass, fifes, images and musician's accoutrements. Below is a list by category of the acquisitions.
HMMF 11K - Eb OTS Cornet, rotary valves - Isaac Fiske, Worchester, Mass. Includes lyre, 2 books and 6 cards of manuscript. Donated by Mary Hinkston, Racine, WI.
HMMF 22AH - Bb Trumpet, bell-front, rotary valves, brass with silver, Horst W. Moennig, New York. Original box case, wool bag, alternate tuning slide, original mouthpiece, mute, canteen. Donated by Ron Offutt, North Haven, CT.
HMMF 43N - Bb Tenor Horn, Brass, Berlin valves, R. Wurlitzer & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. Purchased from Robert Medley, West Band, WI
HMMF 52C - Bass Trombone in G, Brass with Silver, unmarked. Original coffin case. Donated by Fred Benkovik.
HMMF 53O - Bb Bass, upright, Berlin valves, brass, unmarked, probably European. Purchesed from Alan Guberud, LaCrossd, WI. Interim funding provided by Dan and Evelyn Woolpert, Oregon, WI.
HMMF 53R - Bb Bass, Brass, rotary valves, Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory, Boston, Mass. Played by Red Ned Copps in the Scarsfield Band, Rutland, Vermont. Purchased from Robert Medley, West Band, WI.
HMMF 53S - Bb Bass, Silver, rotary valves, Quinby Bros., Boston, Mass. Purchased from Dennis Benjamin, Iron Ridge, WI.
HMMF 63O - Eb Bass, Silver, upright (converted OTS), rotary valves, Peters Bros., Louisville, KY. Donated by Fred Benkovic
HMMF 76E - Clarinet in Eb/D - Boxwood, 5 block-mounted keys, extra body sections for D, horn mounts, Johann Christian Gehring, Leipzig late 17th, early 18th century. Played by Jacob Esser in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Racine, and other Racine musical organizations. Donated to the Foundation by Mary Hinkston, Racine, WI.
HMMF 85D - fife in C, boxwood, brass ferrules.
HMMF 85E - fife in Bb, boxwood, brass ferrules, Meacham, Albany.
HMMF 85F - fife in C, boxwood, brass ferrules.
HMMF 85G - fife in C, rosewood, German silver ferrules, played by Philip Anschutz, 86th Ohio Vol. Infy.
HMMF 85H - fife in C, maple, brass ferrules.
HMMF 85I - fife in Bb, rosewood, brass ferrules, William Hall and Sons, New York, NY.
HMMF 85J - fife in C, ebony, German silver ferrules.
HMMF 85K - fife in C, rosewood, brass ferrules, Klemm and Bro., Philadelphia. Played by Michael Lenk, Co. E, 151st Penna. Inf.
HMMF 85L - fife in Bb, rosewood, brass ferrules. Used in the 161st Illinois Infantry.
HMMF 85M - fife in C, rosewood, German silver ferrules. Played by Anton Heine, a Milwaukee native, in the Confederate Army. Heine, an
itinerate peddler, was captured early in the War and was given a choice of prison or service in the CSA.
HMMF 85N - fife in C, rosewood, brass ferrules.
HMMF 85O - fife in C, rosewood, German silver ferrules, 4 piece body with one block-mounted flat
round key. Played by a Wisconsin
field musician.
HMMF 85P - fife in C, ebony, German silver ferrules, Firth and Pond, New York, NY. Played by Pvt. James O. Lessing, Company I,
8th Indiana Inf.. Given to him by Col. Hugh Hanna.
HMMF 85Q - fife in C, boxwood, brass ferrules, 2 part body.
HMMF 85R - fife in Bb, rosewood, German silver ferrules. Played by Chas. Humphreys, Co. C, 101st Ohio Inf.
HMMF 85S - fife in Bb, rosewood, brass ferrules, unmarked, includes leather music folio. Played by William Pond, 7th Mass. Infty.
field music.
HMMF 85T - fife in Bb, nickel, gutta percha embouchure, 2 joints.
HMMF 85V - fife in C, maple, brass ferrules.
All above fifes donated by Fred Benkovic.
HMMF 85U - fife in C, rosewood, German silver ferrules. Donated by Dan and Evelyn Woolpert, Oregon, WI.
HMMF 86B - pennywhistle in Eb, tin, brass end caps, embossed eagle with U. S. stamped. Donated by Fred Benkovic
HMMF 95C - quinticleide in Eb, brass, 10 keys in post mounts. Courtois Neuvu, Paris, France. Alleged to have been played by George Kendall in the Boston Brass Band ca. 1830. Donated by Fred Benkovic.
HMMF 95D - ophicleide in C, brass, 9 keys in post mounts, Tabard, Lyon, France. Donated by Fred Benkovic.
HMMF SB - Violin, unmarked, 3rd quarter 19th century, additional bridges, tailpieces, strings, original coffin case with arched lid. Played by Wm. J. Cole, Co. F, 7th Regt. Mass. Vols. Includes numerous assorted papers related to Mr. Coles' service. Donated by Fred Benkovic.
HMMF 76F - Eb Clarinet, Albert system, 13 keys, 4 rings, cocus wood, M Lacroix, Paris, early 20th century. Donated by Robert Hinkston, Racine, WI.
8 German silver/brass instrument lyres and 1 wooden arm lyre. 5 drumsticks, rosewood, hickory, oak, 2 matched, 3 single sticks.
6 Music pouches, 3 belt and 3 shoulder worn.
Frock coat belt, leather, white, musician's 2 piece belt buckle.
Bandmaster uniform shoulder epaulets, embroidered BM, manufactured by Jas. S. Smith, New York, NY.
Lyre medallion, wool patch with gold thread lyre emblem.
Donated by Fred Benkovic.
Drum canteen - unmarked, galvanized tin, metal loops, cork stopper, linen strap. Donated by Ron Offutt, North Haven, CT.
HMMF IA - Carte de Visite, standing musician in fancy uniform (shako w/plume, frock coat w/epaulettes, 3 rows button, braid on sleeve,
holding Boston type rotary valve Eb cornet on table w/tablecloth. Marked C. M. Gilbert & Bro., 826 S. Second Street, Kennan's Old Stand,
Philadelphia.
HMMF IB - Carte de Visite, civilian musician seated holding bell front rotary valves Bb cornet.
HMMF IC - Carte de Visite, Military musician, standing, shell jacket, kepi, OTS cornet. Marked Brady's National Photographic
Portrait Galleries, Boadway and Tenth Street, New York, No 3521 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D C.
HMMF ID - Carte de Visite, civilian musician, seated with rotary valve trumpet/cornet. Unmarked
HMMF IE - Halftone print, Two pictures of Griffin Lewis, 1862 in military uniform with OTS tenor horn, 1917 civilian portrait with
bugle. Marked Griffin Lewis, Post 67, Bay City.
HMMF IF - Carte de Visite, Military Bugler, standing, frock coat, epaulettes, one service stripe on sleeve, kepi, short bugle
with cord, sword belt. Marked M. Witt, Photographer, 2 cent postal stamp. Inscribed Frederick Kline, Woodford Co., Spring Bay, Ill.
HMMF IG - Carte de Visite, uniformed band, possibly militia, 11 players, grey frock coats with darker sleeves and collars, dark pants,
forage caps. Marked From the Gallery Over First National Bank, Norwalk, O., Geo Butt, Photo, and artist in oil, G. W. Edmonson, Photo,
and artist in India Ink.
HMMF IH - Carte de Visite, outdoor standing military band with musician's frock coats, kepis. Marked G. W. Beal, Photographer, Post
Office Building, No. Main Street, Natick.
HMMF II - Carte de Visite, Peter Candra, 4th Regt. NY Veteran Volunteers, Alliance, OH. Standing, musician's frock coat,
Turkish hat, epaulettes. Marked E. S. Walker, Columbus, OH.
HMMF IJ - 1/9 plate tintype in card matte, seated musician with piston valve OTS alto horn, plaquard shirt, hat with metal horn
and 'Deluge No. 1' on hat band, belt with 'CC Band', reversed. Probably a fireman's band musician.
HMMF IK - 1/4 plate tintype of seated musician with rotary valve OTS alto horn in gold matte, no case. Wearing military style frock
coat and dark trousers.
HMMF IL - 1/9 plate ambrotypes, gold mattes, leather case. Ambros are backed by japanned, cut-down
daguerreotypes in twin case. Left
is civilian man with rotary valve bell front side action cornet, left is woman with dark dress and paper in hand.
HMMF IM - 1/6 plate tintype in leather case, musician holding OTS Eb cornet in front of camp scene backdrop, frock coat, forage cap.
HMMF IN - 1/4 plate daguerreotype, gold matte, leather case. Uniformed man with early military style band hat and coat with upright Bb bass
horn. FRB or FBB on hat brim, reversed.
HMMF IO - 1/9 plate ambrotype of seated musician with OTS Eb bass, round shield on bell. Forage cap and frock coat. Gold
nonpareil
matte in leather embossed wood case. Still sealed.
HMMF IP - 1/9 plate ambrotype of unidentified man in civilian coat, vest, light shirt and cravat. Gold matte in original 'Union' case -
matte has flags, drum, cannon embossed; presumably a musician. Case by Scovil Manufacturing Co.
All images donated by Fred Benkovic.
Also donated to the Foundation in 2007 - miscellaneous history and other books - Mary and Robert Hinkston, Racine, WI.
The Treasurer's report was given by Vickie Volp. The Facilities Committee reported that the trim work on the building will need to be seen to probably some time this year, as will some roof work. It was proposed from the floor to mount a building campaign at the record table this year, to help defray some repair expenses, especially since in 2009, the building will be 100 years old. Three Board members' terms were up this year, but all volunteered to 're-enllist', and were elected unanamously. Members were elected to the Board Nominating Committee, and the Foundation Membership Committee. Bylaw amendments were approved pertaining to the current management structure.
The Board approved DeWayne Roberson as the new Associate Bandmaster, a position that has been vacant since Jon Condon moved into the Bandmaster position two years ago. DeWayne is the local Watertown High School band director, and the band's current Eb/Bb clarinet player.
The meeting adjourned to food and social time around 3:45 PM.