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PIX #1, #2, #3 - Photos of the Wainwright Music Camp

PIX #4 - Wainwright The Innovator - The genius behind every feature of the Wainwright, the originator of the musical Summer camp idea. A thorough musician with a background of approved classical training and wide experience, he chose as his life work the musical training and instruction of boys. For more than twenty years, he was engaged in that work. For eight years he directed the Oberlin College Band, and was for three years the head of the department of wind instruments of the Conservatory of Music at the College. During the Second World War he was assistant director of the Cleveland Naval Reserve Band, and following the war became the conductor of the 107th Cavalry Band O.N.G. From 1919 until 1930, he instructed and directed the band at Fostoria High School, having won the title as National Champions of High School bands in Chicago in 1923.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Today's article is a continuation from last week about the exhibits at The Fostoria Historical Museum, as pertaining to music in Fostoria. The museum is closed for visitation until next spring. This series of articles about the Museum will provide older folks who cannot indulge in a tour there, an opportunity to see and read about it in the comfort of their homes. Send copies to your out-of-town friends and relatives.

Wainwright, the originator of the idea of a band and orchestra camp for boys, opened the camp in 1926. One of the camp catalogs listed Wainwright's background in music and then set forth the advantages of his military precision and snap required for a well-trained band.

A few photos of the camp facilities are with this article.

KNOWLEDGEABLE COUNCIL AND STAFF GUIDED CAMP

An advisory council for the band camp included well-known musicians: Capt. Taylor Branson, U.S. Marine Band; Harold Bachman, Director, Million Dollar Band, Chicago; Al Sweet, Director Al Sweet's Band, Chicago; F.W. Waters, President, Indiana Bandmasters Assn., Elkhart, Indiana; H.S. Warren, Supervisor, Instrumental Music, Gary, Indiana; and non-musicians: F.M. Hopkins, Postmaster, Fostoria; B.M. Solomon, Union National Bank, Fostoria.

Dewey Emison, well-known Fostoria resident of that era was assistant chef and the chef was John Ulrich.

The musical staff, in addition to Wainwright, consisted of A.J. Stevens, Director of North Dakota Conservatory of Music; G.V. Sutphen, Director, High School Bands, Toldeo; Louise Brownell, Wind Instrument Dept. Wooster Conservatory of Music, Wooster; Neva Lintz, Piano Dept. Wainwright Conservatory, Fostoria.

Hal Stout, Fostoria resident, and once Editor of the Fostoria Daily Review was publicity manager, and Fostoria resident J.K. Eikenberry, D.D. was chaplain.

The camp catalogs revealed the excellence of the supervision and the well organized program in addition to music instruction: physical exercise periods, swimming, tennis and other sports, church attendance and bus trips.

WAINWRIGHT'S FAREWELL CONCERT IN FOSTORIA 1930

Another important piece of printed material in the package was the program of Wainwright's farewell concert in Fostoria on Sunday, May 26, 1930, at the high school auditorium.

The program consisted of four numbers by the F.H.S. Orchestra, and six numbers by the F.H.S. Band, all directed by Wainwright.

The Ladies Chorus directed by L.G. Jones presented one number.

The last number by the band was "Stars and Stripes Forever", one of the most impressive numbers the band often played.

Another interesting printed foler in the package from Vivian Pearson's estate pertained to Luly Hatfield Solomon. Here again, the writer knew Mrs. Solomon, but did not know the full extent of her activities in the music field, revealed in the folder. Here are some excerpts from the folder.

"Luly Hatfield Solomon, dramatic soprano and vocal instructor, also a capable pianist and accompanist. She appeared in opera, oratorio and concerts, in Europe and leading cities in America. When not on tour, she devotes much of her time in teaching". Her manager was Frank Allen Peake.

35 YEARS OF MUSIC IN FOSTORIA

Another important document in the collection from Vivian Pearson was a letter dating back to 1958, when former Wainwright band members were planning a weekend of celebrating 35 years of music in Fostoria.

The occasion was initiated five years earlier, when the first reunion of Wainwright's musicians voted to get together every five years. The big occasion included former band members, directors and instuctors. Co-chairman of the event was Vivian Pearson and John Hayfield, an old band member.

In 1958, Dick Downs was the F.H.S. Band Director. A large segment of those musicians are now deceased, but those still living will recall the f-year reunions.

In 1958, the F.H.S. band was 90 pieces; the V.F.W. band was 65 pieces; the St. Wendelin band was 65 pieces.

Wainwright has started instrumental music at St. Wendelin after getting the activity started at F.H.S. Many of the St. Wendelin musicians played in the F.H.S. band.

The program for the gala event included "bull sessions" and periods for general reminiscing; banquet, followed by a gala ball, with selected alumni providing the orchestra. The Sunday program included church services, mass band rehearsal, and the concert with all musicians, both past and current participating.

Great memories for all of us who were here when "Jack" came to town...and now as we relive those years through memorabilia.

REMEMBER LYMAN CARR'S MUSEUM

Another interesting find in the collection from Vivian Pearson was a letter- head of The Fostoria Museum, once located at the corner of Tiffin and Wood Streets, where the parking lot is now. The museum was owned, stocked and shown by Lyman Carr, father of David Carr of WFOB. Carr started the museum after retiring from the furniture store business.

The building in which the museum was located had been the home of Lyman Carr's parents, and where he had been reared. How Carr happened to start the museum, and where he obtained all of the interesting items on display there, this writer never knew. Perhaps some reader may know and will contribute the information.

Here is a partial list of some of the museum pieces which were listed on the museum letterhead.

The largest sword in the world, the oldest bell in the world, one of the oldest compasses i the world, swords used in the crusades, the oldest viola de Gamoa in America, 1582, the smalled TV ever sold, two-inch screen, the first dictionary printed America 1788.

BIBLE, OTHER RELICS FROM THE 1800'S

The first stereotyped Bible printed in america, 1812; the first printed history of the United States, 1803; the first printed history of Ohio, 1821; one of the first Graphones made by Alexander G. Bell; rare and beautiful rosewood mellodeons; one of the oldest violins in the world; 200 year old ice skates.

Saddle ridden by Indian Rain-in-the-Face, a real Indian scalp; chronological map of history, one of the most astounding printed pieces ever produced, 21 feet long, engraved in stone, in color; Indian curios from Alaska, the Cave Dwellers, Mound builders. The greatest allegorical painting ever made, "Coles Voyage of Life", 1840. Those are just a few of the hundreds of rare items that are displayed in the Fostoria Museum.