Elevation of the School Band and Decline of the School Orchestra

From 1910 to 1930, many more public school orchestras and bands were established. The contest movement which began in 1923, an instrument manufacturer advertising campaign, and a new supply of teachers, including many men returning from WW1 with military band experience, all contributed to the growth of instrumental music in the schools. Other sociological factors which contributed to the new supply of instrumental music teachers included: 1) the end of the professional concert band era, 2) the development of sound for film, which put many musicians employed in vaudeville houses and theaters out of work, 3) the development of the radio and phonograph, and 4) the great depression, which left many musicians out of work. A large number went to teacher colleges and filled instrumental music positions in the school.

As a result of a larger number of these new instrumental music teachers being former bandsmen, the role of the school band was being elevated above the school orchestra by 1930, where it has remained in many school districts to this day. Another factor contributing to the elevation of the band above the orchestra was that there were too few students in many smaller communities to support both a band and orchestra. Bands were formed in most of these communities because of the perceived greater flexibility, usefulness to community and athletics, and appeal to youth. Mark (1992) writes, "It is one of the ironies of history that the professional band, now a thing of the past, is re-created and emulated in the public schools, while the symphony orchestra, which is held in esteem by society, is not as prevalent in the schools."

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