Norwood Musicians

From the Wednesday, March 1, 1972 Potsdam Courier & Freeman:

 

Norwood bands have been famous for several generations and rare is the Norwood family tree which does not boast of at least one "twig" who was a member of the musical fraternity.

During the last century, there were mandolin clubs, cornet bands, the Young Recruits Band, the Norwood Brass Band, in existence in 1894, and later, of course, the famous Norwood Volunteer Fire Department Band.

Concerts on the Village Green with the accompanying ice cream social, marching bands in Decoration Day and July Fourth parades, concerts in the Music Hall were some of the highlights enjoyed by this music-minded community where nearly everyone "took lessons" to perfect their natural talents.

It is sad to relate that records of these bands are not to be found but it is known that some of the men playing in the 1909 band were Harold Stowell, Charles Drew, Frank and Edson Morgan, Harold Nims, Arthur Camp, Mark Cummings, Frank Worden, Edson Farmer, Will Bishop, Guy Finch, Earl Claffey, Wayland Williams, Leo Anable and A.C. Nickerson.

In more recent years players have included Don and Bill Jarvis, the McLennan brothers, George and Jim, Leo Hickey, L.J. Claffey, Howard Worden, Arthur Gay, Rollin Crossman, Jim Cotey, Dick Burns, Dr. L.U. Hurlbut, Vic Jones, Arthur Tebo, Clyde Morgan and his sons, Wayne and Robert, Chum Ingram and Charles and Jack Morgan. The membership in the band has varied over the years from 8 to 24, the present roster is 16, two of whom have been playing more than 40 years each.

The 1971 Brass Firemen consists of five students, three merchants, two teachers, a retired electrician and one each from the New York State Department of Labor, the New York State School system, the New York Telephone Company and an industrial heating firm. The band attended a parade or a neighboring firemen's field day every Sunday and major holiday from Memorial Day to Labor Day in addition to performing at many benefits.

They have appeared by invitation at State Firemen's Association gatherings and are now preparing to take an important part in the forthcoming Norwood Centennial activities.

The present director, John Cotey, follows in the illustrious steps of such former directors as Charles Robb, Murray Farmer, Betty Farmer, James Garfield, Robert Donovan, Tim Donahue, Sr., William Jarvis, Harry Feickert, Ron LaRue, Francis Quigley, Jerry Coons, Frank Worden and J.F. (Dick) Burns.

 

(This article was no doubt written by Susan Lyman, Village historian, even though there was no author listed).

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