by Deb Alter
On Wednesday, August 12 the Hoosick Falls Community Band will honor conductor, William Gaillard. He has served as director for fifty years.
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Gaillard took the helm in August of 1965, and since then, he has expanded the band to include approximately 60 active members. He has also increased the number of band performances from the eight summer concerts to include an annual Christmas concert, a combined concert with the Hoosick Falls Central School Band, and marching in the Hoosick Falls Memorial Day Parade. After the fire at the Municipal Building destroyed all of the band’s sheet music, he was instrumental in rebuilding the band’s music portfolio. The Band now has three complete folders with 200 titles in each, plus the Christmas music, quite a varied repertoire. He also helped replace the drums that had been stored in the Municipal Building and were lost when it burned.
Gaillard also led the way in the construction and upkeep of the current bandstand. The original Wood Memorial Park bandstand was built sometime around World War I. The current one was built in 1977 at a cost of $11,000, nearly half of which was paid for by band members. Edith Craig Reynolds donated money for the rebuilding and upkeep. Today, the Edith Craig Reynolds Foundation, The Harry Weir Fund, Hoosick Federal Credit Union, and the Village and the Town continue to support the Community Band with generous donations.
The Band has a rich history. It was founded in 1873 by 19-year-old Henderson S. Van Surdam. Back then, there was no music in the schools, so many towns had community bands. The original band was called The Temple of Honor Band and performed in the park in front of the Old St. Mary’s building. Van Surdam retired in 1938 at the age of 82. In its 143 year history, there have been ten conductors, with the longest tenures being those of Van Surdam and Gaillard. The band has also changed names over the years. For a long while it was called The Van Surdam Military Band after its founder.
Over the years, band members grew older and retired or moved away. In 1965, the band was managed by 90 year old Fred Quackenbush. When he was ready to retire he asked Gaillard to take over the Band. By 1970, there were just a few local players left in the band, including Cortland Cottrell and Gaillard. It was at about that time that Van Surdam’s son (who had played in the band when his father was director, and who had been involved with several bands across the country), arrived at a local get-together and decided that since there were no more Van Surdams in the band that the family name should not be used, so the Van Surdam Military Band was retired. But Gaillard and Cottrell regrouped, pulled some players together, and created the Hoosick Falls Community Band. Gaillard is responsible for the success and popularity of the Band today. Unlike when it was first started, today’s band includes musicians of all ages, including students, making it a true community band.
The Community Band will recognize Gaillard for his achievement during its concert in Wood Memorial Park on August 12, from 7:30 to 9 pm. All are encouraged to come hear the Band’s inspiring music and to help celebrate the 50 years of Bill Gaillard’s leadership.
Hoosick Falls Community Band concerts are every Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9 pm, through August 26. In the case of rain, the concert will be moved to the Town Skating Rink. Don’t forget to come to the Farmers’ Market in Wood Park prior to the concerts, starting at 4 pm.[/private]