Nov. 17, 1932
Austin High school's band was being reorganized today after Principal H.B. Fort ordered it disbanded because of a trombone "razzberry" chorus played by some of its members in answer to a reprimand from Maj. J.P. Moore, commander of the high school R.O.T.C. unit.
Fort ordered the disbandmcnt Monday, when band members reported their version of'the affair,
as it happened just before the Armistice day parade last Friday.
Tuesday and yesterday there was no Austin High school band. Fort relented today, and allowed
members to re-apply for membership.
'
L. A. Kirchner, bandmaster and orchestra leader at Austin High school, said the incident that led
to the disbandment occurred as the band assembled on Montana St. just before the parade.
He said some of the boys, were laughing, "cutting-up," and producing discordant sounds on their
instruments, when Maj. Moore hurried up and ordered them to quiet down.
The hush that followed as he strode away was suddenly and painfully broken by the characteristic
and unmistakable blare of derision, that only a trombone can produce, when expertly manipulated.
Maj. Moore kept going, without looking around.
Kirchner said the glorified Bronx cheer for Maj. Moore was the final straw in a long series of similar incidents. He said other members of the band requested the reorganization for the good of the re-
mainder'of the boys.
"It was just a case of too much pep." ' Kirchner said. "You know how boys are. I guess they were
just blowing off excess steam."
Fort said, lie notified band members of the disbandment and told them they could re-apply for
membership.
"I just added that those who thought they were responsible for the matter should not re-apply,"
he said.
Kirchner said seven members of the band have not yet applied for renewal of membership. They are
Herman Litman, Truman White, Virgil Bluth, John Valkenaar, Peter Burgard, Harry Williamson
and John Ainsworth.
Kirchner said he expects some of them to apply later.
"We may lose three, but we still will have a 50-plece band," he said.
Roy Chapman will be re-appointed drum major.
Maj. Moore said he didn't know anything about the "razzberry" incident. He said he disciplined
some band members, but that similar incidents happen every day in thc life of an officer. He dismissed reports of the razzing with the remark that "the death has been grossly exaggerated."
Kirchner announced a new rule today,' that students who get 15 demerits in the future will be
ineligible for band membership.
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