Sept. 1929 Follansbee High School Band

Mr. William S. Woodhouse appears to have organized a Follansbee High School band for an early appearance at the 1928 Fort Steuben Bridge dedication in Weirton (WV).  However, the Follansbee Review documents September 1, 1929 as the beginning of Woodhouse’s official marching band composed of fifteen members.  By 1931, the band expanded to a 52-piece organization with Jane Clare (Claire) acting as the drum major. In addition, a drum and bugle corps was organized in January 1931, taking its regular place with the band.   Consisting of nine drums and nine bugles, the corps was led by drum major Betty Lake.

The city took pride in the band’s perfection of music, uniforms and marching.  One of the stellar attractions during public concerts was a cornet duet entitled “Swiss Boy” preformed by Edwin Halikka of Hallidays Cove and the band director Woodhouse.

Woodhouse’s band became a sensation winning superior awards in its first tournament at the Ceramic Theatre (May 1931) in East Liverpool.  Woodhouse was voted best band director and Miss Claire best drum major. The young band placed second behind Weirton for overall performance in the class B group, beginning a band rivalry between the two schools lasting until 1968.

During June 1931, the KDKA radio station in Pittsburg invited Woodhouse and his talented band to perform on the air.   While in Pittsburgh the band was the guest of Follansbee Brothers Company.  The band was taken to the William Penn Hotel where the received lunch.  The band members toured the Carnegie Museum and Pittsburgh Press Newspaper building.   The KDKA 25 minute broadcast of the band was heard throughout the Northern Ohio Valley and surrounding states.

image 1930 F.H.S. Band- William S. Woodhouse, Far left, Band Director, who created band in 1928. See Timeline.

 

 

 

 

p3 Prof Woodhouse band director 600 dpi j

p3 top row majorettes 600 dpi j Following photos from 1939.

p3 middle row band 600 dpi j p3 bottom row band 600 dpi j

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1933 Band Concert

1933 Band concert at FHS football field. Photo Courtesy of James Piccirillo.

 

 

 

 

  • Follansbee Review, “Blue & White Band,” August 27, 1931, front page.
  • Follansbee Review, “Blue & White Band to Broadcast Over KDKA,” June 4, 1931, front page.
  • Follansbee Review, “Pepper Club Boosters Supplement – Jimmy Carey Day,” Oct 5, 1939.