Jay Kosta wonders if there are other company bands around. He plays in the IBM Band in up-state Endicott NY. "I don't know the statistics," he writes, "but I'd guess that there are significantly more adult players involved in band than in orchestra around here." Near-by Binghamton has a professional orchestra and a community orchestra, SUNY Binghamton has a wide range of groups, and several communities in the area have bands. "It's common for players to belong to two or more groups."
The IBM Band was organized in 1915 at the request of Thomas J. Watson, Sr., founder of the International Time Recording Co, which later became IBM. Under Tracy Doolittle, the band played its first convention with fifteen musicians. A year later, the band tripled in size and, led by Roy Collar, played its first company noon-hour concerts -- the first benefit for its employees.
Since then, the IBM Band has become a well-known regional attraction. The annual highlight during the late 1920s and 1930s was a trip to NYC to play at the Hundred Percent Club Sales Convention. In the 1940's, the Convention came to Endicott and the band furnished music each day. Starting in 1934, the band and the IBM Dance Orchestra alternated weekly on broadcasts from WNBF radio in Binghamton.
In the past, the band was called on for most major IBM functions, marched in local parades, and played concerts at IBM, local high schools, Veteran's Hospitals, and various parks in the area.
Continuing the custom started in 1916, the band, led by Steve Stafford, plays weekly noon-hour concerts at IBM facilities, plus two local community festival perfor- mances. In the fall, they read through new literature, and in January begin rehearsals for a Winter/Spring concert. A recent 8 a.m. performance provided amusement as the sleepy attendees were startled by a rousing march!
Repertoire includes standard marches, show tunes, Dixieland, vocal accompaniments, and an occasional solo such as a spritual featuring their bass saxophone.
Members include active and retired IBM employees, ranging in age from 20s to 70s; two have been members for more than 50 years! Jay enjoys playing in the band with his colleagues and would like to hear if others have similar experiences.
You can reach Jay at JKosta@blue.spectra.net.