Menomonie
Wilson Park Ludington Guard Bandshell

The bandshell at Wilson Park is home to the Ludington Guard Band. Its name is boldly displayed on the curved arch of the shell's opening. The Band, founded in 1888, was named after a cavalry unit, which had been named after Harrison Ludington, governor of Wisconsin. It is known as the oldest continually perfoming concert band in Wisconsin. The Band is composed of 70 musicians; they come from within the Menomonie region, many traveling up to 50 miles. While originally only men were band members, women started playing during WWII when men were scarce - they stayed when the men returned home. The Band is supported mainly by the City of Menomonie and also the Ludington Guard Foundation, Inc., and others.
The current bandshell opened in either the end of 1963 or the start of the concert season in 1964. William A. Schaefer and Associates of Minneapolis, MN, designed the bandshell in May 1961; Jesse E. Ray served in an advisory role. Blueprints are stored at UW Stout Archives and Researach Center. The City had promised a new shell in 1962, but it did not happen that year. It finally moved forward later to appropriate $22,000 for construction costs with the Band would raising the remaining $3,000. Some members donated funds and the local funeral director Dick Olson (a Band member) donated the plumbing fixtures for the rest rooms. Others worked at fund raising including food sales. The stage was originally made of wood which rotted in the early-mid 1970s and was replaced with a concrete floor in the late 1970s or early 1980s. The bandshell is dedicated to the memory former Band Director Paul E. Gregg.
The current bandshell opened in either the end of 1963 or the start of the concert season in 1964. William A. Schaefer and Associates of Minneapolis, MN, designed the bandshell in May 1961; Jesse E. Ray served in an advisory role. Blueprints are stored at UW Stout Archives and Researach Center. The City had promised a new shell in 1962, but it did not happen that year. It finally moved forward later to appropriate $22,000 for construction costs with the Band would raising the remaining $3,000. Some members donated funds and the local funeral director Dick Olson (a Band member) donated the plumbing fixtures for the rest rooms. Others worked at fund raising including food sales. The stage was originally made of wood which rotted in the early-mid 1970s and was replaced with a concrete floor in the late 1970s or early 1980s. The bandshell is dedicated to the memory former Band Director Paul E. Gregg.
Performances, which are free, begin each summer season on the first Tuesday in June and conclude in early August.
The music played covers many genres from Broadway tunes to marches to overtures to classical to oldies but goodies.
The popular concerts attract audiences from 1,500 to 2,000 and, it is not unusual to have as many
as 3,000 for special concerts, such as "Patriotic Night".
Each concert features an old fashioned pie and ice cream social sponsored by various charitable community groups.
Other activities held there include dramatic productions, children's theater, and weddings.
The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
HISTORY OF THE BANDSHELLS and STANDS, from Carroll D. Rund, M.D., President of the Lundington Guard Band from 1985 to June 2017. Rund has played the tuba since 1973.
CELEBRATING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LUDINGTON GUARD BAND

For the Band's 125th anniversary in 2013, it commissioned Larry Clark to compose and conduct the world premiere of "Legacy of Honor". It is now played every year.
Larry Clark: I had the privilege to travel to Menomonie, Wisconsin, on July 30th to premiere a new piece I wrote called "Legacy of Honor". It was commissioned by the Ludington Guard Band to celebrate their 125th anniversary of existence. I felt very honored to be a part of this historic event. It was a wonderful experience. It was like going back in time to a slice of Americana. The town park in the middle of the city had a band shell that even had the name of the band on it. The band plays concerts in this park band shell every Tuesday evening all summer long and has for 125 years - Amazing! There were close to 2,000 people in attendance for the gala concert celebration including the town Mayor and state Representatives and Senators. Along with the concert there was a pavilion where a local church was selling pie, wonderful pies, delicious pies! It was a scene right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. It is an experience I will never forget and the warmth shown me by the band members and town's people was unbelievable. I wish to publicly thank Carroll Rund the band President for his hospitality during my stay in Menomonie! This will be a memory I treasure forever! The piece will be published in the 2014 release by Carl Fischer Music.
Larry Clark: I had the privilege to travel to Menomonie, Wisconsin, on July 30th to premiere a new piece I wrote called "Legacy of Honor". It was commissioned by the Ludington Guard Band to celebrate their 125th anniversary of existence. I felt very honored to be a part of this historic event. It was a wonderful experience. It was like going back in time to a slice of Americana. The town park in the middle of the city had a band shell that even had the name of the band on it. The band plays concerts in this park band shell every Tuesday evening all summer long and has for 125 years - Amazing! There were close to 2,000 people in attendance for the gala concert celebration including the town Mayor and state Representatives and Senators. Along with the concert there was a pavilion where a local church was selling pie, wonderful pies, delicious pies! It was a scene right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. It is an experience I will never forget and the warmth shown me by the band members and town's people was unbelievable. I wish to publicly thank Carroll Rund the band President for his hospitality during my stay in Menomonie! This will be a memory I treasure forever! The piece will be published in the 2014 release by Carl Fischer Music.
ABOUT THE COMPOSITION, from Larry Clark, Lakeland, FL, 2014
Legacy of Honor was commissioned by the Ludington Guard Band from Menomonie, Wisconsin, in honor of all past directors in celebration for their dedication and leadership during the band's 125th year history,
The Ludington Guard Band is one of the oldest bands still performing in America. lts rich history dates back to its association with the Ludington Guard, but it is not a military unit, it is a community band of dedicated musicians that every year plays every Tuesday evening during the summer in the bandshell that bears their name in downtown Menomonie, Wisconsin, I had the pleasure of writing this piece to celebrate with them their l25th anniversary and was able to conduct the premiere of the piece on July 30, 2013. It was one of the highlights of my musical career. It was like going back in time to a slice of Americana. The town, the band, and the people were something right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. lt was truly wonderful to be a part of this special event.
The piece is a concert overture in the standard ABA form. I wanted to have two distinct ideas represented in the music, and those were first and foremost celebratory as in the nature of the up-tempo A section of the piece. Second, I wanted to express the sentimental nature of this anniversary through the lush lyrical B section. It was also my desire that since this piece was written for adult musicians that each section be given important parts to play that they would enjoy playing over and over again. It is my hope that I achieved these three goals with this piece.
The Ludington Guard band, this small Wisconsin town, and most importantly the members of the band that I have gotten to know will always have a special place in my heart and consequently this piece will as well.
It has been my pleasure to have the opportunity to write this piece. I hope you and your students enjoy it and find it useful for your program.
The Ludington Guard Band is one of the oldest bands still performing in America. lts rich history dates back to its association with the Ludington Guard, but it is not a military unit, it is a community band of dedicated musicians that every year plays every Tuesday evening during the summer in the bandshell that bears their name in downtown Menomonie, Wisconsin, I had the pleasure of writing this piece to celebrate with them their l25th anniversary and was able to conduct the premiere of the piece on July 30, 2013. It was one of the highlights of my musical career. It was like going back in time to a slice of Americana. The town, the band, and the people were something right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. lt was truly wonderful to be a part of this special event.
The piece is a concert overture in the standard ABA form. I wanted to have two distinct ideas represented in the music, and those were first and foremost celebratory as in the nature of the up-tempo A section of the piece. Second, I wanted to express the sentimental nature of this anniversary through the lush lyrical B section. It was also my desire that since this piece was written for adult musicians that each section be given important parts to play that they would enjoy playing over and over again. It is my hope that I achieved these three goals with this piece.
The Ludington Guard band, this small Wisconsin town, and most importantly the members of the band that I have gotten to know will always have a special place in my heart and consequently this piece will as well.
It has been my pleasure to have the opportunity to write this piece. I hope you and your students enjoy it and find it useful for your program.
INTRODUCTION OF LARRY CLARK, Introductory Words from Carroll Rund at the Premiere of "Legacy of Honor"
LAST YEAR BETH WACEK, ONE OUR PERCUSSION SECTION LEADERS, PRESENTED THE BAND WITH AN IDEA TO HELP CELEBRATE OUR 125TH ANNIVERSARY. SHE SUGGESTED WE HAVE A PIECE COMMISSIONED FOR US. WE THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT IDEA AND TOLD HER TO RUN WITH IT. AFTER A CAREFUL AND LONG SEARCH, SHE CONNECTED WITH A MAN WHO AGREED TO DO THIS FOR US. BEFORE I INTRODUCE THIS PERSON, ON BEHALF OF THE BAND, I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK BETH FOR MAKING THIS LUDINGTON GUARD BAND FIRST HAPPEN. BETH, THANK YOU. BETH AND HER HUSBAND MARK ARE EXPECTING THEIR SECOND CHILD ANY MOMENT NOW AND SHE WAS HOPING TO BE ABLE TO PLAY THIS IMPORTANT DATE TONIGHT. BETH, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU MADE IT.
THE COMPOSER BETH CHOSE WAS LARRY CLARK. BEFORE I INTRODUCE HIM, LET ME TELL YOU A BIT ABOUT HIM.
Larry Clark (b. 1963) is Vice President for Carl Fischer Music in New York. At Carl Fischer he serves as Editor-in-Chief and coordinates all of Carl Fischer’s publishing in all genres of music. However, his main focus is on selecting, editing and producing concert band and string orchestra music for the company. He travels the world representing Carl Fischer Music doing clinic/workshops and guest conducting appearances. Prior to this appointment he served as an Instrumental Music Editor for Warner Bros. Publications in Miami. His diverse background as a former middle school and university band director at Syracuse University, combined with his composing and editing, have placed Larry at the forefront of music for school ensembles. His music is some of the most popular and most performed by concert bands and string orchestras of all ability levels. Larry is equally adept at writing music for beginners as he is for high school and college ensembles. His music is characterized by rhythmic verve, tuneful melodies, contains a fresh harmonic perspective, is well scored and stretches the musicianship of the performers. He prides himself on producing music that is not only intriguing to performers and audiences alike but that contains a playability that comes from a keen understanding of the technical difficulties inherent in all instruments. His pieces have been performed internationally and appear on numerous contest/festival performance required music lists. He is an ASCAP award-winning composer, has over 300 publications in print and is in demand to write commissions for bands and orchestras across the country.
Larry’s music has been influenced by variety of composers and teachers. He credits his father, a long time band director in Florida, for teaching him the joy of music. He was influenced early in his writing career by Robert W. Smith . His decision to pursue composition and arranging was influenced further by Dr. John Hillard, composition professor at James Madison University. Dr. Pat Rooney, director of bands at James Madison University, gave Larry his first performance opportunities by performing his arrangements with the popular Marching Royal Dukes. Larry considers himself to be a product of the school band movement. His works are highly influenced by the standard band repertoire of composers such as Holst, Grainger, Schuman and Persichetti.
Larry is in demand as a clinician and guest conductor around the country. He has presented clinics recently at the Midwest Clinic, the New York State School Music Association conference, the Texas Music Educators Association conference, the Ohio Music Educators Association conference, the Florida Music Educators Association conference and the Wisconsin Music Educators Association conference as well as numerous guest-conducting appearances internationally. He is co-author with Sandy Feldstein of the innovative band method The Yamaha Advantage. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Florida State University and Masters Degrees in Conducting and Composition from James Madison University in Virginia.
WHEN MR. CLARK AGREED TO TAKE ON THIS PROJECT, HE ASKED FOR ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION ABOUT US. HE WANTED TO KNOW OUR WEAK SPOTS, OUR STRONG SPOTS, WANTED TO SEE OUR ROSTER OF INSTRUMENTATION, HEAR SOME OF OUR RECORDINGS--“WARTS AND ALL”--AND HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF A PIECE WE WANTED, I.E. BALLAD TYPE, SOMETHING FAST, SLOW, SOMETHING FEATURING A SOLOIST, ETC. WE TOLD BETH WE WANTED SOMETHING WITH A FAST, EXCITING BEGINNING, A SLOWER MELODIC MIDDLE AND A GREAT BOMBASTIC ENDING. WHEN MR. CLARK SENT US HIS COMPOSITION LAST SPRING AND WE TOOK ONE LOOK AT IT, IT WAS OBVIOUS HE COMPOSED EXACTLY WHAT WE ASKED FOR AND SOMETHING THAT WE WILL ENJOY PLAYING, OUR AUDIENCES WILL ENJOYING HEARING AND SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BE PROUD TO CALL OUR OWN. THE PIECE IS CALLED “LEGACY OF HONOR”. NOT SURE WHAT ANY OF YOU KNOW ABOUT “COMMISSIONED PIECES”, BUT THEY USUALLY MENTION THE BAND IT WAS COMMISSIONED FOR AND WHERE THE BAND IS LOCATED, AS DOES THIS PIECE. SO WHEN ANOTHER BAND BUYS IT AND PLAYS IT, THEY WILL COME TO KNOW THE LUDINGTON GUARD BAND AND KNOW WE ARE IN MENOMONIE, WI. BUT TO ME, WHAT SETS THIS PIECE APART FOR OTHER COMMISSIONED PIECES WE HAVE PLAYED OVER THE YEARS IS THE DEDICATION MR. CLARK WROTE. WHEN I READ IT, IT GAVE ME A LUMP IN MY THROAT AND IT'S DOING THAT RIGHT NOW AS I SPEAK. MR. CLARK’S DEDICATION READS AS FOLLOWS:
“COMMISSIONED BY THE LUDINGTON GUARD BAND, MENOMONIE, WISCONSIN, IN HONOR OF ALL PAST DIRECTORS IN CELEBRATION OF THEIR DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP DURING OUR 125 YEAR HISTORY”
MR. CLARK, IF YOU DON’T MIND, I WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE OUR PRESENT DIRECTOR, JIM WOODFORD, IN THAT MIX TOO BECAUSE WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US THESE PAST 9 YEARS, HIS LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION, HAS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS MONUMENTAL EVENT WE ARE CELEBRATING TONIGHT.
LAST NIGHT MR. CLARK AND I HAD DINNER. TODAY WE HAD LUNCH AND I GAVE HIM A TOUR OF THE AREA. WE HAD SOME WONDERFUL CONVERSATIONS AND I CAN TRULY SAY, WE CHOSE THE RIGHT PERSON TO DO THE PROJECT FOR US. HE IS SIMPLY A GREAT GUY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO INTRODUCE THE MAN WHO BY COMPOSING THIS PIECE, “LEGACY OF HONOR”, IS NOW PART OF OUR 125 YEAR HISTORY, MR. LARRY CLARK.
THE COMPOSER BETH CHOSE WAS LARRY CLARK. BEFORE I INTRODUCE HIM, LET ME TELL YOU A BIT ABOUT HIM.
Larry Clark (b. 1963) is Vice President for Carl Fischer Music in New York. At Carl Fischer he serves as Editor-in-Chief and coordinates all of Carl Fischer’s publishing in all genres of music. However, his main focus is on selecting, editing and producing concert band and string orchestra music for the company. He travels the world representing Carl Fischer Music doing clinic/workshops and guest conducting appearances. Prior to this appointment he served as an Instrumental Music Editor for Warner Bros. Publications in Miami. His diverse background as a former middle school and university band director at Syracuse University, combined with his composing and editing, have placed Larry at the forefront of music for school ensembles. His music is some of the most popular and most performed by concert bands and string orchestras of all ability levels. Larry is equally adept at writing music for beginners as he is for high school and college ensembles. His music is characterized by rhythmic verve, tuneful melodies, contains a fresh harmonic perspective, is well scored and stretches the musicianship of the performers. He prides himself on producing music that is not only intriguing to performers and audiences alike but that contains a playability that comes from a keen understanding of the technical difficulties inherent in all instruments. His pieces have been performed internationally and appear on numerous contest/festival performance required music lists. He is an ASCAP award-winning composer, has over 300 publications in print and is in demand to write commissions for bands and orchestras across the country.
Larry’s music has been influenced by variety of composers and teachers. He credits his father, a long time band director in Florida, for teaching him the joy of music. He was influenced early in his writing career by Robert W. Smith . His decision to pursue composition and arranging was influenced further by Dr. John Hillard, composition professor at James Madison University. Dr. Pat Rooney, director of bands at James Madison University, gave Larry his first performance opportunities by performing his arrangements with the popular Marching Royal Dukes. Larry considers himself to be a product of the school band movement. His works are highly influenced by the standard band repertoire of composers such as Holst, Grainger, Schuman and Persichetti.
Larry is in demand as a clinician and guest conductor around the country. He has presented clinics recently at the Midwest Clinic, the New York State School Music Association conference, the Texas Music Educators Association conference, the Ohio Music Educators Association conference, the Florida Music Educators Association conference and the Wisconsin Music Educators Association conference as well as numerous guest-conducting appearances internationally. He is co-author with Sandy Feldstein of the innovative band method The Yamaha Advantage. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Florida State University and Masters Degrees in Conducting and Composition from James Madison University in Virginia.
WHEN MR. CLARK AGREED TO TAKE ON THIS PROJECT, HE ASKED FOR ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION ABOUT US. HE WANTED TO KNOW OUR WEAK SPOTS, OUR STRONG SPOTS, WANTED TO SEE OUR ROSTER OF INSTRUMENTATION, HEAR SOME OF OUR RECORDINGS--“WARTS AND ALL”--AND HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF A PIECE WE WANTED, I.E. BALLAD TYPE, SOMETHING FAST, SLOW, SOMETHING FEATURING A SOLOIST, ETC. WE TOLD BETH WE WANTED SOMETHING WITH A FAST, EXCITING BEGINNING, A SLOWER MELODIC MIDDLE AND A GREAT BOMBASTIC ENDING. WHEN MR. CLARK SENT US HIS COMPOSITION LAST SPRING AND WE TOOK ONE LOOK AT IT, IT WAS OBVIOUS HE COMPOSED EXACTLY WHAT WE ASKED FOR AND SOMETHING THAT WE WILL ENJOY PLAYING, OUR AUDIENCES WILL ENJOYING HEARING AND SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BE PROUD TO CALL OUR OWN. THE PIECE IS CALLED “LEGACY OF HONOR”. NOT SURE WHAT ANY OF YOU KNOW ABOUT “COMMISSIONED PIECES”, BUT THEY USUALLY MENTION THE BAND IT WAS COMMISSIONED FOR AND WHERE THE BAND IS LOCATED, AS DOES THIS PIECE. SO WHEN ANOTHER BAND BUYS IT AND PLAYS IT, THEY WILL COME TO KNOW THE LUDINGTON GUARD BAND AND KNOW WE ARE IN MENOMONIE, WI. BUT TO ME, WHAT SETS THIS PIECE APART FOR OTHER COMMISSIONED PIECES WE HAVE PLAYED OVER THE YEARS IS THE DEDICATION MR. CLARK WROTE. WHEN I READ IT, IT GAVE ME A LUMP IN MY THROAT AND IT'S DOING THAT RIGHT NOW AS I SPEAK. MR. CLARK’S DEDICATION READS AS FOLLOWS:
“COMMISSIONED BY THE LUDINGTON GUARD BAND, MENOMONIE, WISCONSIN, IN HONOR OF ALL PAST DIRECTORS IN CELEBRATION OF THEIR DEDICATION AND LEADERSHIP DURING OUR 125 YEAR HISTORY”
MR. CLARK, IF YOU DON’T MIND, I WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE OUR PRESENT DIRECTOR, JIM WOODFORD, IN THAT MIX TOO BECAUSE WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US THESE PAST 9 YEARS, HIS LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION, HAS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS MONUMENTAL EVENT WE ARE CELEBRATING TONIGHT.
LAST NIGHT MR. CLARK AND I HAD DINNER. TODAY WE HAD LUNCH AND I GAVE HIM A TOUR OF THE AREA. WE HAD SOME WONDERFUL CONVERSATIONS AND I CAN TRULY SAY, WE CHOSE THE RIGHT PERSON TO DO THE PROJECT FOR US. HE IS SIMPLY A GREAT GUY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO INTRODUCE THE MAN WHO BY COMPOSING THIS PIECE, “LEGACY OF HONOR”, IS NOW PART OF OUR 125 YEAR HISTORY, MR. LARRY CLARK.
Other Art Features in Wilson Park
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