The Allison Military Band
What is currently the Indianapolis Municipal Band began in 1949 as an employee activity for members of the Detroit-Diesel Allison, a Division of General Motors and was known at that time as the Allison Military Band. The band, whose membership was open to Allison employees, initially had about fifteen to twenty members and rehearsed at the Allison Plant in Speedway. Under the direction of Jame Calvert, the group performed at Allison activities such as bond drives, basketball games, fish fries, and picnics.
During its first performance season in 1950, the Allison Military Band performed at the Methodist Church Fish Fry in Speedway and the West Washington Street dedication at Washington High School. The programs included songs such as "National Emblem," "Colossus of Columbia," "Thunder and Blazes," "His Honor," "Nights of Gladness," "E. Pluribus Unum," "Anchors Aweigh," "On the Mall," "Bombasto," "Invercargill," "Lassus Trombone," "Americans We," "Marine Hymn," and "The Billboard March."
Allison Sponsorship Ends
On June 30, 1972 auditions were held for a new director and Ed Axsom, Westlane Junior High School band director, was selected for the position.In the early 1980’s, Allison decided to phase out its sponsored employee activities including the Allison Band. The band's leadership and members decided to keep the band alive as an independent band. The band became the Circle City Concert Band and moved its rehearsal location to the Westlane Junior High School.
In 1983, the band reorganized and became incorporarted as the Indianapolis Municipal Band. The new band accepted ownership of inventory that included the music library, percussion equipment, a sousaphone, an upright bass, a baritone saxophone, and an oboe. The initial board of directors included Leroy K. New, an official representative of the musician's union; Lames L. Wells and Bernard J. Gohmann, both elected Marion County public officials not of the same political party; Robert H. Fields, an attorney; Edgar L. Axson, director; and John J. McCardle, president.
The first concert performed by the newly organized Indianapolis Municipal band, or IMB, was sponsored by the Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation. The IMB performed at the Eagle Creek Park Amphitheater on August 2, 1983. The program included "National Emblem March," "Let Us Break Bread Together," "Badinage for Brasses," "Zampa Overture," "A Leroy Anderson Portrait," "Espana Waltz," "Marche Fantastique," "People" from Funny Girl, "Down by the Riverside Dixieland March," "Just Another Polka," and "Stars and Stripes Forever."
Another Move
In 2002, the IMB found, for the second time it its life, that it needed to find a new home and rehearsal space. At the invitation of the Ben Davis High School music department, the band moved its rehearsals to the school's band room.
In 2007, Ed Axsom decided to step down after serving 35 years as Music Director of the IMB. During the search for a new director, Richard Beach, long-time member of the IMB’s clarinet section and the band's assistant conductor, served as Interim Director. On July 21, 2007 the IMB Board offered the position of IMB Music Director to Dr. Daniel Bolin, Chair of Butler University's School of music. Dr. Bolin agreed to accept the position and Leroy Lane, retired school band director from Michigan and California, accepted the position of Associate Music Director.
In 2015 the band moved its rehearsal location from Lilly Hall on the Butler University campus to the band room at Lawrence Central High School.
What is currently the Indianapolis Municipal Band began in 1949 as an employee activity for members of the Detroit-Diesel Allison, a Division of General Motors and was known at that time as the Allison Military Band. The band, whose membership was open to Allison employees, initially had about fifteen to twenty members and rehearsed at the Allison Plant in Speedway. Under the direction of Jame Calvert, the group performed at Allison activities such as bond drives, basketball games, fish fries, and picnics.
During its first performance season in 1950, the Allison Military Band performed at the Methodist Church Fish Fry in Speedway and the West Washington Street dedication at Washington High School. The programs included songs such as "National Emblem," "Colossus of Columbia," "Thunder and Blazes," "His Honor," "Nights of Gladness," "E. Pluribus Unum," "Anchors Aweigh," "On the Mall," "Bombasto," "Invercargill," "Lassus Trombone," "Americans We," "Marine Hymn," and "The Billboard March."
Allison Sponsorship Ends
On June 30, 1972 auditions were held for a new director and Ed Axsom, Westlane Junior High School band director, was selected for the position.In the early 1980’s, Allison decided to phase out its sponsored employee activities including the Allison Band. The band's leadership and members decided to keep the band alive as an independent band. The band became the Circle City Concert Band and moved its rehearsal location to the Westlane Junior High School.
In 1983, the band reorganized and became incorporarted as the Indianapolis Municipal Band. The new band accepted ownership of inventory that included the music library, percussion equipment, a sousaphone, an upright bass, a baritone saxophone, and an oboe. The initial board of directors included Leroy K. New, an official representative of the musician's union; Lames L. Wells and Bernard J. Gohmann, both elected Marion County public officials not of the same political party; Robert H. Fields, an attorney; Edgar L. Axson, director; and John J. McCardle, president.
The first concert performed by the newly organized Indianapolis Municipal band, or IMB, was sponsored by the Indianapolis Department of Parks and Recreation. The IMB performed at the Eagle Creek Park Amphitheater on August 2, 1983. The program included "National Emblem March," "Let Us Break Bread Together," "Badinage for Brasses," "Zampa Overture," "A Leroy Anderson Portrait," "Espana Waltz," "Marche Fantastique," "People" from Funny Girl, "Down by the Riverside Dixieland March," "Just Another Polka," and "Stars and Stripes Forever."
Another Move
In 2002, the IMB found, for the second time it its life, that it needed to find a new home and rehearsal space. At the invitation of the Ben Davis High School music department, the band moved its rehearsals to the school's band room.
In 2007, Ed Axsom decided to step down after serving 35 years as Music Director of the IMB. During the search for a new director, Richard Beach, long-time member of the IMB’s clarinet section and the band's assistant conductor, served as Interim Director. On July 21, 2007 the IMB Board offered the position of IMB Music Director to Dr. Daniel Bolin, Chair of Butler University's School of music. Dr. Bolin agreed to accept the position and Leroy Lane, retired school band director from Michigan and California, accepted the position of Associate Music Director.
In 2015 the band moved its rehearsal location from Lilly Hall on the Butler University campus to the band room at Lawrence Central High School.