About

The band practiced in Mr. Roloff’s woodworking shop, using sawhorses for seats and a floor of shavings. The first two musical selections rehearsed were a march, “Captain,” and a waltz, “Rustling Leaves.” For the services of the band, the fee was $10 for home events and as much as $50 on trips.
The first engagement for a parade was the Memorial Day picnic in May of 1921 in Cape Girardeau. The parade began at the Farmers and Merchants Bank on Good Hope Street, passing to Main Street and then up Broadway to Capaha Park, which was then the location of the fairgrounds.
The first performance where band members were remunerated was the five-day concert at Homecomers in 1922, with each member receiving $5.
The gazebo on the Cape Girardeau County courthouse lawn was completed in 1932 at a cost of $1300. Mr. Roloff was instrumental in getting this stage erected, and also worked with other municipal leaders to pass a one-mill tax levy in 1923 to support the band. Uniforms were purchased in 1938, with red coats, black trousers and Sam Browne belts.