Band History and Alumni News Page
This page was created to form an archive of the history of the band programs in Plymouth, Indiana. There have been several schools which have served this community and have passed on a rich tradition of music.
The first-known musical band in Marshall County was called "The Plymouth Sax Horn Band" and came into existence in 1853. The members at that time were William H. Salisbury (leader), Daniel and Platt McDonald, David Vinnedge, Rufus Brown, A.C. Capron, Thomas K. Houghton, and Rufus Mert Brown (it is believed there were more members whose names have been lost). As the group of boys grew, "Old Joe Pierson," as he was familiarly called, was employed as the teacher and bandmaster. In this time period, there was no printed band music and all of the music arrangements for the boys band were written out by "Old Joe" with a quill pen on blank music paper.
In 1868, the "Plymouth Silver Cornet Band" was formed from members of the previous boys band. The membership averaged ten players for nearly a decade. Under the leadership of Ben M. Seybold, this group was considered one of the best band organizations of its time in northern Indiana.
The Washington School operated from the 1874-75 school year until the 1924-25 school year. The original Washington School no longer exists and the location is currently occupied by Garden Court apartments on Washington and Plum streets. It served the community from 1874 until the new Lincoln High School opened for the 1924-25 school year. In 1893, the southern part of the building was erected including an auditorium which had a seating capacity of 600. The first ten years of Washington School saw the graduation of 58 students.
West Township also had their own schools dating back to 1899. The West High School was established in 1907. In 1962, West Township joined the Plymouth Community School System but high school students continued to attend West High School until the spring of 1965.
Lincoln High School opened for the 1924-25 school year and operated until the 1960-61 school year when the new Plymouth High School was opened. At this time, the Lincoln High School building became Lincoln Junior High School.
The current Plymouth High School was dedicated in November of 1960 and was opened during the 1960-61 school year. The building has had numerous additions and renovations, the first of which took place shortly after the building opened to accommodate the incorporation of the former West High School students.
The information and photos below trace the history of these schools and their band programs. If you have any information you would like to add to this site, please use the "Contact Us" link at the top of the page.
The first-known musical band in Marshall County was called "The Plymouth Sax Horn Band" and came into existence in 1853. The members at that time were William H. Salisbury (leader), Daniel and Platt McDonald, David Vinnedge, Rufus Brown, A.C. Capron, Thomas K. Houghton, and Rufus Mert Brown (it is believed there were more members whose names have been lost). As the group of boys grew, "Old Joe Pierson," as he was familiarly called, was employed as the teacher and bandmaster. In this time period, there was no printed band music and all of the music arrangements for the boys band were written out by "Old Joe" with a quill pen on blank music paper.
In 1868, the "Plymouth Silver Cornet Band" was formed from members of the previous boys band. The membership averaged ten players for nearly a decade. Under the leadership of Ben M. Seybold, this group was considered one of the best band organizations of its time in northern Indiana.
The Washington School operated from the 1874-75 school year until the 1924-25 school year. The original Washington School no longer exists and the location is currently occupied by Garden Court apartments on Washington and Plum streets. It served the community from 1874 until the new Lincoln High School opened for the 1924-25 school year. In 1893, the southern part of the building was erected including an auditorium which had a seating capacity of 600. The first ten years of Washington School saw the graduation of 58 students.
West Township also had their own schools dating back to 1899. The West High School was established in 1907. In 1962, West Township joined the Plymouth Community School System but high school students continued to attend West High School until the spring of 1965.
Lincoln High School opened for the 1924-25 school year and operated until the 1960-61 school year when the new Plymouth High School was opened. At this time, the Lincoln High School building became Lincoln Junior High School.
The current Plymouth High School was dedicated in November of 1960 and was opened during the 1960-61 school year. The building has had numerous additions and renovations, the first of which took place shortly after the building opened to accommodate the incorporation of the former West High School students.
The information and photos below trace the history of these schools and their band programs. If you have any information you would like to add to this site, please use the "Contact Us" link at the top of the page.