From Then.....
Photo compliments of
The Sterling - Rock Falls
Historical Society
G. Bradley Publishing, Inc.
The Dedication Ceremony

The band shell was dedicated on July 20, 1938.

A  concert was presented by seven area school bands.
The bands were as follows:
St. Mary’s band, J.J. Richards; Milledgeville, Ralph Fahrney; Wallace
school, K.M. Bailey; Chadwick, W.R. Fuller;  Polo, Henry W. Burch;
Sterling, Gunner Benson; Morrison, Henry W. Burch.

That evening a dinner was hosted by the Sterling-Rock Falls Chamber
of Commerce, followed by the Mendelssohn Treble Clef Chorus of
Sterling, directed by Mrs. Muriel Phelps. The dedication exercises that
followed were opened by the playing of Mr. Richards' latest march,
“Salute to Sterling” dedicated to Mr. Grandon in recognition to his
great service to the city of Sterling. Mr. Grandon personally presented
the Civic Center to the city of Sterling. Mayor W.E. Long accepted the
center for the city and expressed the appreciation of the whole
community for Mr. Grandon’s generous gift.

The Sterling Municipal Band’s concert that evening included vocal
selections by Dora Andreas Wiles and the following list of guest
conductors: Capt. H.C. Bronson, director of the 129th Illinois Infantry
Band; Joe Bergeim, Milwaukee; Henry Restorff, composer and soloist
with the Gilmore Band; Ray Dvorak, Director of the University of
Wisconsin Bands; A.R. McCallister, Joliet; Karl King, world famous
composer; Clate Chenette, Ames Iowa.

History of Grandon Civic Center - Slide Show

Click on the link above to see a slide show regarding the building of
Grandon Civic Center
Grandon Civic Center

The earliest Sterling Bands
performed at ground level or on
simply constructed platforms.

The first permanent bandstand
was erected before the turn of
the century and was located in
the northwest quarter
of Central Park.

The current band shell came
about as a result of an
acquaintance between
J.J. Richards and
D.W. Grandon.  

J.J. “Johnny” Richards came to
Sterling in 1936. Mr. Richards
did a great deal for music in our
community; he had a personal
magnetism that drew a large
following of musicians and
those interested in music to him.

He first met D. W. Grandon in
St. Petersburg Florida where
Mr. Grandon liked to vacation.

They renewed their
acquaintance when Mr.
Richards came to Sterling.
Mr. Richards convinced Mr.
Grandon that Sterling needed
an up-to-date bandstand.

By his own admission, this was
one of  D. W. Grandon’s most
loved projects and
J. J. Richards said that the
completion of the Grandon
Civic Center was one of the
most satisfying experiences in
his career as a musician.  
Sterling Municipal Band - Sterling, Illinois

The Sterling Silver Cornet Band was active in the 1850s.  The band
participated  in the first Republican Rally to be held in Whiteside
County on July 18, 1856. The main orator was Abraham Lincoln.  
The next band organized was the Keystone Band, sponsored by
Keystone Manufacturing in the late 1870s. This band was rated the best
in Illinois in a contest held in Dixon. The band was under the direction
of John Kadel for 21 years. Kadel also directed the 6th Regimental
Band of Illinois at the time of the Spanish-American War.

The Sterling Municipal Band was organized and first directed by   
Jake Hitzelberger, a former circus band director, around the turn of the
century. Mr. Hitzelberger played Taps at the burial of his predecessor,
John Kadel.

Sterling Municipal Band Conductors

1919 - Jake Hitzelberger
1928 - Prof. Lawrence DeArvill
1929 - Capt. J. R. Jack
1934 - Kenneth M. Bailey
1937 - J.J. Richards
1946 - Henry Burch
1949 - C. Cloyd Myers
1974 - G. Jack Schuler
1988 - Lance H. Carter
2002 - Jon P. James
D.W.Grandon's Dream
Grandon Civic Center Dedication
Wednesday July 20th, 1938

Photo Courtesy of
Marilyn Anderson
Sterling Public Library
To Now.....
Sterling Municipal Band History