Brief History of The Westerville Community Bands

Compiled by John E. Bierley

NOTE: Click on the photo to see a larger image.

Westerville Concert Band, 1990s. In concert, late 1990s -- Linda on the chimes.

The current Westerville Community Concert Band actually has a joint heritage. In 1989, the band and its musicians found a new home in Westerville following the discontinuation of the Rockwell Concert Band. History of the Rockwell Band is outlined below. Another part of the band's heritage comes from the long line of bands dating back before the Civil War. While none of the members from the previous Westerville bands have participated in the current Westerville Concert Band, their influence was key in the Rockwell Band's migration to our community.

Clarinetist Bob Begin (left) founded the original North American Aviation Band in 1959.

First, let's review the Rockwell side of our heritage. The appropriate place to start would be with the creation of the North American Aviation Band. In 1959, North American was among the largest industrial employers in Central Ohio. In the late 50's and early 60's, North American was under contract with the U.S. Navy to deign and build aircraft and missiles.

In its heyday, North American employed well over 20,000 people. As one of the biggest industries in Central Ohio, they, like many other industries in the area, were interested in forming musical organizations. Under the skillful leadership of then-Westerville resident Bob Begin (pictured above), North American was soon to become the proud home of one of the finest bands in Central Ohio. This band was to continue for nearly 30 years.

North American/Rockwell International band, under the leadership of Robert Kessler during the 1960s and 1970s. The first public performance, under the direction of Nate Ross, was on July 17, 1960. A very North American/Rockwell band under the (left-handed) baton of assistant conductor, Paul Bierley. important man in this early development was Charley Seddon. He provided, through North America Aviation, financial support that enabled them to buy instruments, music, and uniforms.

Trumpeters Don Smith (right) and John Bierley (left, at age 19).

Eventually a recreation building was constructed at the huge company park. This building would become the home for performances and Monday Night rehearsals from the time it was built in the early 1960's until the band dissolved in the fall of 1988.

North American Aviation Concert Band in rehearsal at Whetstone High School under the leadership of the band's original conductor, Nate Ross. Columbus was home to a number of large industries such as North American, Timken Roller Bearing, and Western Electric. Each year there was a gala industrial concert in Columbus, many narrated by the legendary news anchor North American Aviation Concert Band and the North American Concert Chorus, circa early 1960s. Chet Long. The climax of each programs was a selection of musical numbers performed by the combined choruses as accompanied by the North American Band. This was indeed a proud tradition that went on for a number of years.

First public concert of the North American Aviation Band in 1960 at the North American Park, located on Hamilton Road (now City of Whitehall Park). As the company sponsoring the band changed names, of course, so did the band. It became North American Rockwell, and eventually the Rockwell International Concert Band.

Rockwell International Band under the leadership of Tim Jameson (late 1980s). In 1988, Rockwell International announced plans to close its Columbus plant. Band chairman, John Bierley, worked closely with music director, Tim Jameson and other members of the band board to find a new home for the band in Westerville.

Second rehearsal of the current Westerville Band in January 1989. Two members of the original band were asked to pose with conductor tim Jameson; in the light shirt is cornetist, Guy Thomas, Jr.; in the dark suit is John Bierley's music instructor, Richard Harris. Mr. Harris passed away the day after this photo was taken and didn't live to see the photo published. Original Westerville Band (1919-1936). This picture presumed to be taken following a parade in 1924, in front of the First Presbyterian Church on W. College Ave.

The first rehearsal was held at Otterbein College in February 1989. During the second weekly rehearsal, the band had two distinguished visitors. Guy Thomas (trumpet) and Richard Harris (flute) were members of the Westerville Band that existed from 1919 to 1936. The Public Opinion ran a picture three days later showing the two gentlemen on the podium with conductor Tim Jameson.

Members of the original Westerville Band played in mini-parades to escort visitors to Westerville during a Republican rally, held at the home of Post-Mistress, Mary E. Lee.

Historically, Westerville has had an incredibly rich heritage of music, especially considering the size of the village. During the early part of the 20th century, Westerville had the proud tradition of an annual Music Week. We had frequent visits from the Chattaqua Society and other prominent musical organizations.

Only known newpaper photo of original Westerville Band in parade; Front page of the Public Opinion Newspaper. Used with permission from The Westerville News & Public Opinion/Suburban News Publications.

In 1919, Westerville was visited by Pershing's 115 piece band during a "Victory Loan Drive". More than 3500 people were in attendance at the concert given on the American Issue Publishing Company grounds. According to the Public Opinion newspaper account, Westerville was the only city selected as a concert site with a population under 250,000.

D.H. Budd Cornet Band, circa 1879. Picture taken in front of the Budd Buggy Repair Building, now Schneider's Bakery, in Uptown Westerville.

It is indeed fortunate that a great deal of historical documentation exists about the history of bands in Westerville, due in large part to excellent coverage in the local Public Opinion newspaper. A secret to this success was the effort of Olive Plott who served as editor for the local Northwest Territory Parade, held on State Street in 1928 (?);members of the Westerville Band participating. paper. Olive's husband, Harold Plott, was band director for several years. Nearly 240 newspaper clippings exist. This information, as well as information compiled from interviews, is now stored in the Westerville Public Library's historical archives.

The Westerville Concert Band (undated; circa 1990s)