“Iowa Brigade Band” Returns For One Night

Windjammers Unlimited along with Andrew Glover recreate the "Iowa Brigade Band" on July 15, 2011

Oskaloosa, Iowa – In a one night special appearance, the Windjammers Unlimited helped to recreate the Iowa Brigade Band of 1899 that was led by C.L. Barnhouse.

Today, we know the Iowa Brigade Band as The Oskaloosa Municipal Band. The Oskaloosa Municipal Band can trace it’s past not only to the Iowa Brigade Band, but all the way back to 1864 when it was called the “K.T. Band”. Along the way, it was also known as the “Knights of Pythias Band”

C.L. Barnhouse, founder of C.L. Barnhouse Company, moved his business to Oskaloosa in 1890 to lead the “Knights of Pythias Band.” During that time until 1899, the Band once again changed it’s name to the Iowa Brigade Band. They were, at that time, gaining national prominence alongside C.L. Barnhouse as his company was growing in importance. In 1911,the publishing business responsibilities made it impossible to continue with the band.

Composer Fred Jewell took over leadership of the band in 1918. Jewell is also credited with starting the Oskaloosa High School Band.

The "Iowa Brigade Band" under the direction of Andrew Glover prepares to play ""Omar Khayyam"

Ivan Kennedy took over as conductor of the band in 1942, with his tenure as leader lasting 35 years.

In 1964, the band celebrated 100 years. Along with guest conductor Karl King, they performed a concert in that honor.

The Oskaloosa Municipal Band continues to this day, currently under the direction of Bruce Pfeiffer. The band performs every Thursday evening during the summer starting at 8 p.m. in Oskaloosa’s town square.

The recreated Iowa Brigade Band played the following selections on Friday July 15th. All selections were performed by the “Windjammers Unlimited” and conducted by Andrew Glover.

1. March, “Princess Oskaloosa” (1920) …..C.L. Barnhouse
2. Overture, “Omar Khayyam” (1941)…..K.L.King
3. Cornet Duet, “Land of Dreams Serenade” (1910)…..C.L.Barnhouse – John Wetzel and April Zink, Cornetists
4. Two-Step, “Greater Oskaloosa” (1901)…..C.L.Barnhouse
5. March, “Olympia Hippodrome” (1898)…..Russell Alexander
6. Two-Step, “Ben Buxton’s” (1899)…..C.L.Barnhouse
7. March, “Iowa Brigade Band”” (1920)…..Fred Jewell
8. Trombone Novelty, “Ridin’ De Goat” (1919)…..”Jim Fisk”
9. March, “Carrollton” (1909)…..K.L.King – Jerrold P. Jimmerson, Guest Conductor
10. March, “Harmony Heaven” (11921)…..C.L.Barnhouse
11. March, “The Pride of Chief Mahaska” (1999)…..Andrew Glover

The band finished the evening with “Stars and Stripes Forever” (1896)  by John Philip Sousa and “The Star Spangled Banner” from the original poem by Francis Scott Key.

Many thanks to the hard work put in by the Windjammers to help bring back a moment in time for Oskaloosa.