Our Illustrious History

For the love of music

Monetary gain was never a concern nor objective of the original group and the band has continued to be an all-volunteer organization. At times, in the early years, they were given donations as they played for various church and community functions. By 1890 they found themselves bedecked in grand uniforms.

It was not until April 25, 1892, that the band listed its objectives and became incorporated as recorded by the clerk of the court in Montgomery County. They were concerned with “the improvement of its members in the art of music and the promotion of the social and moral advancement and the cultivation of musical talent in the community.” This objective has stood the test of time; the band today continues to exude its belief in the encouragement of youth and the development of their musical talents and interests. It also gives adults an opportunity to continue musical interests which many developed during their younger years.

During the early years of the band, the group practiced irregularly but faithfully. A few had limited musical training, but all learned by practice and by using their God-given talents. They often played familiar hymns as well as popular marches, and some music was hand-written. When a particular score was needed for another instrument, it was simply transposed and hand-written.

Keeping our roots

As the years rolled along, and the popularity of this small group grew, occasionally a request was made for them to play some distance from the community in which they lived. At one time they had a bandwagon drawn by two horses, which conveyed them to more distant engagements. At the turn of the century, even though new faces had appeared in the group, old faces still remained, and the group continued to be almost solely represented by the farming community.

By 1906, William A. Walker was still the director, or leader, as he was then called, and the band was outfitted in new uniforms.

Changing of the guards

Little information is available as to the activities of the band during the first quarter of the century. It is known that it continued under the leadership of William A. Walker for about 35 years and that it played regularly each year. Carl Purdum became the second director, followed by Walker Linthicum, with Windsor Moxley continuing as the fourth director until 1934.

Records for 1934 show that a new election of officers was held and George Muller Walker was elected as director, with Raymond Day as assistant director. It is noted that Muller Walker directed the band during their regular rehearsals of the season but he conducted only one concert in public, the performance at Ezra Brandenburg’s funeral. After this, Muller is reported to have said, “it makes me too nervous to be in public like this. I would rather go back to the trumpet section.” And so he did. Raymond Day then put his trumpet down, picked up the baton, and proceeded to direct the band for the next 18 years. Occasionally, Muller would direct a stirring march during a concert; on the whole, he was perfectly content to remain with the brass section. And so, once again, thoughts go back to the small group in 1884 as Raymond’s father was James S. Day, one of the original twenty.

Determined to persevere

The band played on during the 1930’s while threats of war loomed on the faraway European horizon. On March 24, 1939, the band held its first annual banquet, sponsored by Thomas E. Watkins, charter member. It was he who later endowed the band so that it could have an annual family banquet through the band’s 100th year. In 1939, Garrison Moxley was president of the band, Raymond Day, first leader and G.M. Walker, second leader. Garrison Moxley played with the band for 56 years and only missed one engagement and three rehearsals in the first 50 years with the band.

Raymond Day was the owner and operator of a grocery store in the small community of Kemptown. There were many times while he was director that the band members would gather at the hall in Kemptown (which was then used for rehearsals), only to find that Raymond was not yet there. So they walked the short distance down the road to his store, only to find that he still had customers to be waited on. While he completed his business day, the members would sit around the stove in the center of the store and visit until the store closed. This did not deter the members from continuing to meet for Friday night rehearsals.

WWII Era

As the 1940’s dawned, ten of the twenty charter members were still living. Many of them had children who had themselves been active with the band for a number of years. As the war years came, and America became involved in the world conflict, every person and group was affected. The band also changed in scope and size but they continued to play at local church picnics and community affairs. Due to gas rationing, travel was difficult and many young men were serving with the armed forces. One member thought of a rather ingenious way to attend a concert while using his car for a legitimate reason. He simply called the Mt. Airy Milling Company and asked them to leave a sack of cattle feed on the platform. As he came to the mill to get the feed, he casually stopped off and played at the concert, and then took the feed back to his farm. Had he been stopped, he would have had an acceptable reason for using gas for traveling at night. It is certain that it took much ingenuity on the part of many members to get through the war years while sustaining the record of continuous service.

Respecting tradition while staying current

Through the years, although many things remained the same, the repertoire of the band changed a bit with the times. Familiar marches remained and patriotic songs with a flair were used to try to keep up morale. As the 1950’s approached more young people were members of the band, and with them came a desire for some lighter music. At the same time, the band was continuing to tackle more difficult and challenging music as members gained in training and expertise.

On May 16, 1959, the Browningsville Cornet Band celebrated its 75th anniversary. They had come this far; surely, another 25 years would not be too distant a goal. Sherman Mullinix was the honored guest at this banquet; he was the only living charter member. The band now had an active membership of fifty members, and had fulfilled twenty-five engagements during the year of its diamond anniversary. Trombonist Raymond Barnes of Monrovia was recognized for having 53 years of continuous service with the band.

Dwight Walker became the seventh director in 1951, following Raymond Day. After Dwight’s tenure ended in 1954, John Cowgill took over the baton, the first director from outside the extended families of the charter members. He remained at the helm until 1958 when Basil Day, grandson of charter member James S. Day, was elected director of the band. Basil continued as director for three years, Dwight returned for two and Basil then led the band from 1963 until 1975 at which time Joseph Haba came to the fore. Through one hundred years, this band has elected only ten directors, ranging from the longer terms of William A. Walker and Raymond Day to the shorter stint of Muller Walker. This record, in itself, says something of the dedication of many individuals throughout the band’s history in trying to fulfill the goal as set forth in the original charter.

Braving the elements

Being a member of the Browningsville Cornet Band has not been without its hazards through the years. If one takes time to speak with a long-term member, it is guaranteed that interesting information will be gleaned. At least three members have fallen from the bandstand during concerts — and they lived to tell about it! They have been chased and stung by bees, threatened by lightning, soaked in torrential downpours, perspired in many “over 100 degree” parades, and once the bandstand even threatened to collapse! These experiences are insignificant when weighed against the close relationships, including laughter and tears, happy times and sad times, moments of pride and times of disappointment which the members have shared through these many years.

Approaching its centennial

In 1984, the band was composed of 60 members, ranging in age from 10 to 68, and coming from all walks of life — farming, education, science, business administration, students from elementary school through high school and college, men and women who are self-employed, secretaries, bus drivers, those in government and state service, and those who are retired. Their schedule encompassed 34 events including concerts at churches, carnivals, nursing homes and family reunions, in addition to many parades. They also played at two funerals, one of those being for Dwight Walker, a member of the band for 67 years. An annual highlight of the playing season is the concert in Baker Park during the July 4th holiday. In 1983, the band was honored to play at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Frederick News Post.

A family affair

The band, which originally was composed of several different but close families, has continued this tradition through the years. Some of the same family names are found in the band today and many members are direct descendents of the charter members. Because of the closeness and support of families then and now, the band has become what it is today — a close-knit, family-oriented group, representing many generations whose goals and interests have survived these many years.

From a small group of young men one hundred years ago, sharing a common interest in the pleasure of making music has come a larger group of men and women of all ages, who share a similar interest. Rehearsals were held regularly on Friday evenings at the Browningsville Hall, just a few paces across the road from the site of Jonathan Jacobs’ paint shop where it all began. The same narrow crossroads is still there, although it is now paved; the little stream meanders by just as it did then. The sounds emanating from the hall may be a bit different; there are some marches, an occasional number in three quarter time, numbers from Broadway hits, past and present, and songs for the youth from current movies to some light rock numbers. One will also hear music from classical selections to old time favorites. Through the years vocalists, ranging from the beautiful tenor voice of Rufus Baker to the lovely and sweet soprano voice of Evelyn Walker Pickett have added to the attraction of the band. The current soloist, Ann Smiley, carries on this tradition as she sings a lovely hymn or popular ballad accompanied by the band. Bystanders often speak of the thrill they experience as the marching unit approaches, led by banner carriers, color guard, majorettes, and drum major.

Some things change, some things do not — but time marches on. With it has marched the Browningsville Cornet Band, for nearly one hundred forty years — “...the promotion of the social and moral advancement.., the cultivation of musical talent in the community.” 1884—2022, surely these goals have been attained.

by June Walker Beck

Bridging the centuries

In the closing decades of the 20th Century, the Browningsville Band faced many challenges. The landscape around them was rapidly changing. Fields and pastures were disappearing and being replaced by housing developments, and new roads, schools and shopping centers were being built to accommodate the burgeoning population. Where once Friday night rehearsals at the band hall were a gathering of men who lived and worked in nearby communities, the members now included men and women who commuted long distances to and from work.

In the mid-1990’s, it became evident that the old band hall was no longer suitable for regular rehearsals. The ancient oil stove that heated the building often failed, and on occasion members had to huddle close to the stove just to keep their fingers warm. Due to problems with unreliable heating, inadequate plumbing and a generally deteriorated building, the band made the difficult decision to permanently abandon the rehearsal site. The Browningsville Band then became a band in search of a community. They moved to First Baptist Church of Damascus for regular rehearsals, with back-up sites at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, Providence UMC and Montgomery UMC. During the 2005-2006 winter months they held some rehearsals at the Damascus Performing Arts Center in the old Ben Franklin building. Again, heating was a problem. The band then returned to Providence Church in Kemptown.

Changing with the times

One of the other challenges the band faced was the aging of its members. Traditionally, the band had a strong core of long-time members who provided a sense of continuity that easily bridged the generations. However, maintaining the band’s presence in local community parades necessitated a creative approach that would enable all members to participate fully. John Seipp began the process by mounting the bass drum on a bicycle wheel for parades. Soon, another decision was made to put the whole band on wheels. Hoodie Geisbert, father of current director Gerry Geisbert, donated the use of a trailer and the means to tow it.

Over the years the band has always appeared in uniform. Although the color and style of uniforms has changed periodically, their neat appearance has been a source of pride to both members and their audiences. In the early years of the new century the band struggled with how to replace the worn uniforms of the 1990s. Expensive woolen blazers and military style hats were replaced by blue polo shirts and baseball hats that reflected the more casual lifestyle of the times. See our uniform gallery.

In 1984, the band was scheduled to play 39 performances between May 27 and October 26. The increased pace of life, longer commutes, more varied work hours and decreasing number of small traditional community events have all contributed to a shorter and leaner band season. However, many of the jobs that were played annually for as long as any band member can remember are still on the calendar. High on the list of regular appearances are the many local church picnics and festivals including Pleasant Grove, Providence, Bethesda, and Poplar Springs churches. A 1984 program of that season’s events also included performances at the Howard County Fair, Leisure World and the American Legion, as well as numerous firemen’s parades across four adjoining counties. Many of these are also still included in the 2009 season.

Throughout its long history, the band has been responsive to many special invitations for one-time events such as family reunions, birthdays, anniversaries, church celebrations, etc. that were usually related to members’ family ties. It also participated in Maryland Band Day celebrations on June 5, 1999 at Gaithersburg City Hall Concert Pavilion with Walt Frasier directing, and again at Montgomery Village on May 18, 2008 under the direction of Gerry Geisbert. Other recent special performances have included the Mt. Airy Christmas parade in 2004 - 2006 and the 2004 Wheaton July 4th Fireworks.

One of the enduring qualities of the band’s performances is the inclusion of “old favorites.” While patriotic songs and marches are always popular with audiences, it is not uncommon for requests to be made to play “Teddy Bear’s Picnic,” “Alleycat,” or even just “Grandpa’s favorite,” one of many tunes that have been in the band’s repertoire for the last 50 years. The band has always maintained a variety of music that includes Broadway medleys, dance tunes, classic orchestral transcriptions, popular music of the day and contemporary band compositions. Programs are often dictated by available instrumentation.

While at one time band members came in from their fields or jobs on Friday nights to socialize and practice until late in the evening, the present day band operates on a somewhat tighter schedule. Beginning in January and continuing until the first concert in May, they assemble promptly at 7:00 and rehearse until 9:00. Communication for most band members is via e-mail, therefore cancellations due to weather or other changes of plans can often be made earlier in the day while members are still at work.

Still playing after all these years

Throughout the years, there have been many fond memories associated with the Browningsville Band. Some are funny, some sad, and some just plain “memorable.” As always, when longtime, faithful members of the band passed on, the band mourned along with their families. They watched their children grow up, join the band and then move on to their own lives out of the area.

More than one band member recalls the night the Bethesda Road bridge near the band hall washed out right after a Friday night rehearsal. It is believed that Doug Day was the last person over the bridge that night and later said he could feel the truck drop as the rushing waters slowly collapsed the bridge.

Another moment, somewhat more humorous, involved the arrival of Dave Bowman at a parade site in Union Bridge. He had his entire uniform on, except he forgot his instrument! At least he remembered his uniform! Elise George planned to change into her uniform at work and arrive at a Carroll Manor parade just in time to step off at 6:00, but forgot her white shirt. She stopped off on the way, grabbed one off the sale rack and changed in the parking lot.

When memorable moments come to mind, several band members cite an incident that occurred at the Urbana parade. As the band approached the reviewing stand, the drum major called back, “Give it all you got!” The front of the band heard her clearly, but the back of the band thought she said to repeat the song they had just finished. Consequently, as the band passed in review, they gave their very best simultaneously on two different songs! That same scenario reoccurred at a Poolesville parade when one of the trumpets forgot to turn her music to the next song.

Another memorable performance was at Montgomery UMC in the early 90s. A premature August dusk had settled on the picnic ground and the three light bulbs strung behind the band barely illuminated the music to “A Night on Bald Mountain.” Several new members were sight-reading the already somewhat chaotic piece. Eventually it ended, and was a good interpretation of Prokofiev’s struggle with the DTs which had originally inspired its composition. The audience clapped anyway.

While the world has changed dramatically since the original Browningsville Cornet Band formed in 1884, the original purpose of the band, “to be the improvement of its members in the art of music, the promotion of their social and moral advancement, and the cultivation of musical talent in the community” has remained constant. Many of the venues in which they have played for decades continue to host performances, families still participate together as members and supportive audiences and the band continues its tradition of playing at community gatherings well into its second century.

By Elise George