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Caption: Book - Banks of the Boneyard (Charles Kiler)
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04 On the Banks of the Boneyard Then came the man who really put the band on the map; William E. Sand ford was his name, and his class was '92. Up to his time the band rarely attempted to play anything but quicksteps and marches. Sandford not only improved the quality of this kind of music but also improved the marching and general appearance, and gradually raised the star horn Under his Rocked regime the band played "Poet and Peasant"—"Pilgrims Chorus from Tannhauser," and I seem to remember Meyerbeer's "Coronation March," as well as a "Funeral March" by Beethoven. So far as I can learn. Will Sandford was one of the first itvery first—colleg anything in his programs except marches and topical tunes. A master of his instrument, nothing in band music was too difficult for him, and he kept us poor players, who had joined the band simply to get out of military drill, long hours working on ambitious musical numbers, the result of which was the first concert band probably the first time in college history when a band of our character put on a concert, and entertained an opera house full of people, an be expected from a college band. Will Mag as it tells of his experiences with the band better than anyone else can tell it—also bringing in historical sketches that the rest of us have forgotten, I am giving it to you in full Here it is. Mr. Sandford speaking: In the fall of 1887 I was enrolled as a "prep" in the University. I was sixteen—just about coming on the stage of life. Now, after many years, and perhaps with the exit from the stage not so far away, I have been given the privilege of noting some memories of the days when I was a part of the University band. Wesley Briggs was leader when I joined, and to him I owe many thanks for developing me as a soloist. He played the E-flat clarinet in the band, and was also an accomplished pianist. Early in my University days he drilled me on many solos, accompanying me on the piano. To this development I owe my appointment as "leader'' when BriggB graduated in 1889. So at the early age of eighteen I was given the opportunity of further developing the band. Whether I succeeded or not is a matter of history. I I i
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