Athens
Village Square Bandstand
The charming bandstand is located in the center of the small Village of Athens, in the 0.2 acre Village Square Park. On summer weekends, it hosts band concerts. In 1934, it replaced an older 1890 bandstand.
From The 100 Year Centennial Book by Marilyn Sjostrom, 1991:
In 1934, a new bandstand was built with some up-to-date designing. According to the ATHENS RECORD, it was not only larger, but 'its interior contains a feature calculated to insure greater enjoyment. We refer to the peculiar construction of the ceiling, which is built low and rounded, in conformance to a well known law of the science of acoustics. This method of construction is similar to that of the sound chambers in talking machines and radios.' It was Gust Gruenewald's idea to apply this feature to the new building.
In the old bandstand, the ceiling extended to the roof and the effect was to considerably garble and mutilate the efforts of the band. All the 'um-pah-pahs' proceeded directly to the top of the ceiling and stayed there for some length of time until they were driven out in perverted form by the next "um" if that happened to be of an explosive character. Sometimes when the whole chamber was full, it took a great many forceful "blahs" from the trombones and baritones and "bums" from the big drum to get the music out to the audience on the street. The 'tweedle dees' of the clarinets and the moans of the saxophones had no chance at all and were often hopelessly lost in this cavernous chamber.
The Old Timers Band has been an important part of the community since 1892, playing German-style music. A Swedish mill worker, John Carlson, organized the first band and encouraged fellow mill workers to join. They raised $75 to purchase cornets and alto horns. During the winter months, they learned to play and practiced, often disturbing local villagers at night. By the following summer they were proficient enough to play at various picnics and gatherings. The band has continued over time with many band directors and still plays to this day.
John Habeck, who grew up in Athens, recalls that the bandstand was the place for the younger crowd to gather in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His uncle, Alfred (Alfie) Habeck who served as the Village postmaster and was wounded in WWII, was the band director for 40+ years.
From The 100 Year Centennial Book by Marilyn Sjostrom, 1991:
In 1934, a new bandstand was built with some up-to-date designing. According to the ATHENS RECORD, it was not only larger, but 'its interior contains a feature calculated to insure greater enjoyment. We refer to the peculiar construction of the ceiling, which is built low and rounded, in conformance to a well known law of the science of acoustics. This method of construction is similar to that of the sound chambers in talking machines and radios.' It was Gust Gruenewald's idea to apply this feature to the new building.
In the old bandstand, the ceiling extended to the roof and the effect was to considerably garble and mutilate the efforts of the band. All the 'um-pah-pahs' proceeded directly to the top of the ceiling and stayed there for some length of time until they were driven out in perverted form by the next "um" if that happened to be of an explosive character. Sometimes when the whole chamber was full, it took a great many forceful "blahs" from the trombones and baritones and "bums" from the big drum to get the music out to the audience on the street. The 'tweedle dees' of the clarinets and the moans of the saxophones had no chance at all and were often hopelessly lost in this cavernous chamber.
The Old Timers Band has been an important part of the community since 1892, playing German-style music. A Swedish mill worker, John Carlson, organized the first band and encouraged fellow mill workers to join. They raised $75 to purchase cornets and alto horns. During the winter months, they learned to play and practiced, often disturbing local villagers at night. By the following summer they were proficient enough to play at various picnics and gatherings. The band has continued over time with many band directors and still plays to this day.
John Habeck, who grew up in Athens, recalls that the bandstand was the place for the younger crowd to gather in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His uncle, Alfred (Alfie) Habeck who served as the Village postmaster and was wounded in WWII, was the band director for 40+ years.
Often on summer weekends concerts are held featuring the Old Timers Band and in August there is the Athens Fair.
Videos of the Band playing are shown on its Facebook page!
Videos of the Band playing are shown on its Facebook page!
Courtesy of Jerry Sjostrom, local historian,
Old Timers Band in front of the 1934 replacement bandstand
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Courtesy of John Habeck; time of the photo is placed in the 1930s
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Courtesy of Jerry Sjostrom, local historian; July 4, 1904; Old Timers Band dressed in minstrel attire in front of the original bandstand.
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