Monthly Archives: July 2015

Fred Blood was the precocious director of the Capital City Band from 1910 until his death in 1924. See Louis Lehmann (band director).

Frank Berneker, who was white, was the first director of the Springfield Municipal Colored Band. See Louis Lehmann (band director).

Lewis “Happy” Evans, a classically trained musician, was director of the Springfield Municipal Colored Band from 1941 until 1956. See Louis Lehmann (band director).

The Springfield Municipal Colored Band was created in 1936 and went out of existence when the black and white band units were combined in 1956. See Louis Lehmann (band director).

The Capital City Band was one of two bands that were merged to form the Springfield Municipal Band in 1933. See Louis Lehmann (band director).

The Illinois Watch Factory Band, founded in 1881, was one of two bands that were merged to form the Springfield Municipal Band in 1933. See Louis Lehmann (band director).

See Louis Lehmann (band director).

Theaters owned by the Taylorville-based Frisina Amusement Corp. competed with those operated by Springfield’s own Kerasotes Theaters for most of the 20th century. For more information, see Esquire theater.