Sousa. Simon. Sorg. Need we say more?

It isn’t every day that the grandest band in all the land performs in one’s city.

But Middletown, Ohio, was honored to host two appearances by the spectacular John Philip Sousa Band at the elegant Sorg Opera House on the city’s Main Street. A revitalized Sorg theater continues to offer high quality entertainment to this day.

According to MidPointe Library’s Digital Archives, the band’s first Middletown visit was in January 1898. (*)

However, its return on October 3, 1919 was extra-special for local residents. A post-appearance article in the local newspaper explains why:

“Not for many years have Middletown music lovers enjoyed a rarer treat than the two concerts presented at the Sorg Opera House yesterday by the famous Sousa band,” reported the October 4, 1919, “Middletown News-Signal.” **

“A large audience greeted the afternoon performance while in the evening, the opera house was crowded to capacity and the immenent [sic] conductor, who is known personally to many in this city, was given a splendid ovation as he stepped upon the stage…” **

Among all the selections presented that magical evening, the second number in the program captivated the locals. That’s because it featured “Frank Simon, the Middletown boy, who has won the name of the leading cornetist of the United States…,”  the newspaper reported.**

It continued : “...Simon was at his best and his rendition of his own composition, ‘Willow Echoes,’ was one of the biggest features of the program…He was compelled to give several encores and was presented with several bouquets, one a basket of flowers from his brother Elks [lodge members].” **

Audience members also enjoyed the talents of Miss Mary Baker, soprano, and Miss Florence Hardman, violinist. **

“The program was concluded by the rendition of ‘Stars and Stripes Forever,’ Sousa’s own composition which was indeed most inspiring.” **

The article reported that during their visit Sousa band members enjoyed a noon luncheon, a “sumptuous” banquet and a post-concert reception and dance -- all at the local Elks temple. **

The same 1919 performance was also chronicled in a 1994 biography of Simon titled “Music Man -- The Story of Frank Simon:” (***)

“...Sousa came to Middletown and the audience there on 3 October 1919 saw a Frank Simon in his element as never before...That day, Frank Simon was Middletown’s favorite son, and he enjoyed it all quite as much as if he had single-handedly just routed a nest of German machine gunners and had been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor…

“...Middletown knew how to treat its heroes, and that day Frank Simon looked as though he were destined to have a statue put up in tribute…,” wrote author Michael Freedland.

Simon eventually formed the “Armco Band,” which shared its name with the Middletown steel company. The band “made its radio debut on May 28, 1923, on radio station WLW (Cincinnati),” and in 1929 “became a regular weekly commercial feature on the NBC radio network. The program was broadcast for over twelve years…” *

If the walls of Sorg Opera House could talk…they might play the timeless music of its past instead.

Sources:

* MidPointe Library Digital Archives. See: Frank Simon, John Philip Sousa, Sousa’s Band or Armco Band.

** “Sousa’s Band Makes A Decided Hit With Middletown Audience,” Middletown News Signal, October 4, 1919. Available for viewing on microfilm at MidPointe Library-Middletown.

*** “Music Man -- The Story of Frank Simon” by Michael Freedland. Published in 1994 by Valentine Mitchell & Co. Located in the Local History and Genealogy Gallery at MidPointe-Middletown and available for check-out.

Photos:
Portrait of Frank Simon from MidPointe’s Digital Archives:

http://www.midpointedigitalarchives.org/digital/collection/Crout/id/1032/rec/5

Band believed to be the John Philip Sousa Band in 1898 during it first visit to Middletown, Ohio. The famous musicians are marching down Main Street to the Sorg Opera House for a performance. Available on MidPointe’s Digital Archives:

http://www.midpointedigitalarchives.org/digital/collection/Crout/id/520/rec/1

Photo of three men from “Music Man — The Story of Frank Simon” by Michael Freedland (see Sources above). They are, from left to right:

Edwin Franko Goldman, founding president of the American Bandmasters’ Association, John Philip Sousa,  and Frank Simon wearing “trademark spats”. Simon “saw to it that the ABA’s first convention in March 1930 was held in Middletown.” ***

If you’re into music history, including renowned music-makers like John Philip Sousa and Frank Simon, make MidPointe Library your point of reference!

Stop by any of our five locations -- Middletown, West Chester, Trenton, Monroe and Liberty Center in Liberty Township -- to start your search.

Don’t forget the “Ohio Room” at Middletown, where you’ll find shelves and files brimming with local history! There you’ll find information on Frank Simon in the “Vertical File” located along the north wall, among other sources...

Or do a pre-visit Catalog Search at www.midpointelibrary.org.

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