********************************************************** ROTARIANS, DO YOU KNOW...? (continued from last week) The JTHS Band, under McAllister’s baton, went on to win state championships in 1924, 1925, and 1926 followed by the national championships in 1926, 1927, and 1928. (They competed in the National Contest in 1926 in Fostoria, Ohio; the National Contest in 1927 at Council Bluffs, Iowa; and 1928 in Joliet.) One of the greatest honors the Joliet band had ever received was at the third National Band Contest held in its hometown May 24, 25, and 26, 1928. The city was host to over 2,000 band boys and girls representing 20 states. One of the three prominent judges was John Philip Sousa, the “March King.” Following the grand parade, it was announced that the Joliet band was the best marching band as well as the best band in all other competitive performances. The band had again won the national championship. Mr. Sousa, himself, presented the National Trophy to the band before a hometown crowd. And, since winning the national championship for the third consecutive time, the JTHS band acquired permanent possession of the Trophy. Later that summer, the band was personally invited by Sousa to join him in Chicago to play under his baton at the Auditorium Theater. Sousa’s most famous march, “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” is one of the most requested pieces to be performed by the high school band. Thanks to Rotarian Tom Mahalik for the detailed JTHS band history. If you have any stories, memories or history notes for this space, please email to Tim Brophy at: tmb777@aol.com. Thank you!
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