One of my favorite memories of Panguitch was the 24th of July celebration. Part of the celebration was the parade that always included the Panguitch Rhythm Band which our grandmother, Bell Cooper was a founding member. She was always so excited to ride on the float and play her kazoo with her friends in the parade. The following is an article from 1997 in the Garfield County News. The title of the article was:
"Panguitch Rhythm Band Has 61 Years of Entertainment History."
Text of article:
"About 1936* a small group of ladies who loved music and loved to sing got together. They regularly sang in the church choir, at special programs, weddings and socials, and had lots of fun. Everyone enjoyed their music.
One of them found a kazoo, a musical instrument that imparts a buzzing quality to the human voice and usually consists of a small metal or plastic tube with a small hole covered by a thin membrane. It was fun, and immediately, they all wanted one. Who ever heard of just one kazoo with five women.
Yes, this started their little band and they added a wash board and a thimble, and a tambourine - even a washtub - most any thing that would do as a source of musical variety.
As near as we can determine from the old pictures and first hand from Mary Henrie**, the first five members were Isabell Ipson, Florence Houston, Dean LeFevre, Bell Cooper, and Elinor Bruh. Since no one wanted to miss out on the fun, others were soon added: Eve Bell, Belle Boyter, Lois Seamon Maloney, Rate Owens, and Ellis Cooper, making a total of 10 in the band.
They played for primary dances. They charged 10 cents a ticket and the money went to the hospital fund. They also helped teach the kids to dance. They played for numerous other fund raisers to help raise money for many different projects.
Verda Tebbs joined the band in 1946 when the Tebbses moved back home. She played the drums from then on***. She wrote our theme song "Here Comes The Band."
Always fun-loving, one year they made old fashioned bathing suits with long sleeves and long pants and bonnets and called themselves the Bathing Beauty Band. Another year they were invited to come to Salt Lake City to play on the radio.
Still another time they played at the Daughters of Utah Pioneers State Convention at the Hotel Utah.
In 1957 they played on the Margaret Masters TV Program in Salt Lake City and at the State Municipalities Convention in Salt Lake City. They devised clever programs that delighted their audiences.
Members of the band have played at different programs in Parowan, Circleville, Antimony, and on a Cedar City radio station in the past.
Going through old pictures, we have found others who have joined the band over the intervening years. Thank goodness for pictures; they sure bring back memories don't they?
Remember Dora Clove, Pearl Henrie, Mary Henrie, Fay Ella Prince, Lyle Miller, Ann Excell, Leatha Moore, Orene Miller, Ireta Henrie, Gai Wilcock, Thora Proctor, Alta Orton, Norma Crompton, Florence McEwen, Grace Young, Pauline Prince....
I hope I haven't missed anyone, if I have please let me know so their name can be added.
Dean LeFevre, Florence Houston, Mary Henrie and Verda Tebbs were always thinking up funny things to do to add to the programs, making them interesting for all.
They also made clever, different costumes for the various programs over the years.
Sadly, band members have participated less in more recent years. We need new members to add more pep and younger faces to the band.
Once a couple touring the country and writing a book on the traditions of country towns asked us to dress in our pioneer costumes to meet with them and play for them. It was an honor. They published our picture and the story of our Rhythm Band in their book. They sent us a picture that will be displayed Thursday at the Stake Center.
The band has never missed playing on the 24th of July Pioneer Parade in 61 years. We'll be proudly participating on Thursday, July 24 (1997).
We hope you'll be with us there and at the program at the LDS Stake Center that follows."
by Faye Worthen
Click here for a video from the 2012 Pioneer Day Parade where you can see the rhythm band performing on the DUP float.
Check these links for other articles about the rhythm band.
Panguitch Rhythm Band
Grandma Cooper's Obituary
Rhythm Band Plays in Salt Lake
Band plays in Bryce
*This year the Panguitch Rhythm Band will be about 76 years old.
**Mary Henrie was Than Cooper's mother, my great grandmother. She was known for her incredible memory.
***I remember Grandma Cooper playing the drum. In fact, in this picture she is standing in back of a drum.
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