100 years of Moband history
The Modesto Band of Stanislaus County is one of the oldest, continuously performing bands in the United States. In 1919, Professor W.W. Higgins gathered eleven boys together and formed the Modesto Boys' Band. However, he died quite suddenly and two years later the band fell under the baton of an internationally famous clarinetist, Frank Mancini who had purchased a farm on River Road in Modesto, California in 1915, then located permanently in Modesto in 1921.
Under Proof Mancini's direction, the band increased in numbers and gained recognition throughout California for its great musical ability. Five times, in succession, the band was awarded the State Championship and for nine consecutive years, it was the official band of the California State Fair in Sacramento.
Many changes have occurred since those original eleven young men gathered to play their first concert. In 1927, the original Modesto Boys' Band became the Stanislaus County Boys' Band. Gradually women were included and, finally in the early 1950's, the name made a final change to the one used today: the Modesto Band of Stanislaus County (affectionately known as MoBand).
Early concerts were played in various parks on Friday evenings- Fourth Street Park, Beard Brook Park, Court House Park and Graceada Park. In the early 70's the concerts were moved to Thursday nights where we continue to have them today. Each week, a primitive lighting system of bare bulbs strung between trees provided illumination for the players who brought chairs from home, as did the audience. Finally, The Band Mothers (a group initiated by Proof’s wife, Ione) began raising funds for a permanent venue to showcase the music developed in the rehearsal hall previously built on land donated by the city of Modesto on Tuolumne Blvd in Modesto.
On May 15th, 1949, 3,200 people gathered in Graceada Park for the grand dedication ceremonies of the Mancini Music Bowl with its huge amphitheater, raised stage and large storage basement below. Today this wonderful band, composed weekly of approximately 130 volunteer musicians (250 over the entire summer), performs free concerts each summer on six consecutive Thursday evenings beginning in June.
Welcome to the 100th Season of MoBand and Concerts in the Park! We hope you have fun tonight and bring more friends each week. Please remember to patronize the advertisers in our program when possible and check out our annual t-shirts for sale on either side of the stage.
Under Proof Mancini's direction, the band increased in numbers and gained recognition throughout California for its great musical ability. Five times, in succession, the band was awarded the State Championship and for nine consecutive years, it was the official band of the California State Fair in Sacramento.
Many changes have occurred since those original eleven young men gathered to play their first concert. In 1927, the original Modesto Boys' Band became the Stanislaus County Boys' Band. Gradually women were included and, finally in the early 1950's, the name made a final change to the one used today: the Modesto Band of Stanislaus County (affectionately known as MoBand).
Early concerts were played in various parks on Friday evenings- Fourth Street Park, Beard Brook Park, Court House Park and Graceada Park. In the early 70's the concerts were moved to Thursday nights where we continue to have them today. Each week, a primitive lighting system of bare bulbs strung between trees provided illumination for the players who brought chairs from home, as did the audience. Finally, The Band Mothers (a group initiated by Proof’s wife, Ione) began raising funds for a permanent venue to showcase the music developed in the rehearsal hall previously built on land donated by the city of Modesto on Tuolumne Blvd in Modesto.
On May 15th, 1949, 3,200 people gathered in Graceada Park for the grand dedication ceremonies of the Mancini Music Bowl with its huge amphitheater, raised stage and large storage basement below. Today this wonderful band, composed weekly of approximately 130 volunteer musicians (250 over the entire summer), performs free concerts each summer on six consecutive Thursday evenings beginning in June.
Welcome to the 100th Season of MoBand and Concerts in the Park! We hope you have fun tonight and bring more friends each week. Please remember to patronize the advertisers in our program when possible and check out our annual t-shirts for sale on either side of the stage.
