Clarinda votes for bands.
Authorizes two mill tax to pay for all.
Clarinda, Iowa, March 28, 1921, voted almost two to one a two mill tax for the support of its bands of music. The tax will be available for use in the year 1922, the new Iowa law having been adopted too late for the levy to be made this year. The money will come into use next year, however, when all the taxpayers will share in the expense of maintaining band organizations for the benefit of the public.
That all Iowa municipalities may now support bands with public money is due to Major George W. Landers of this city as the prime mover. The major is what might be called a born musician. … As music thrills him, so in turn he has thrilled a great many thousands of people through his own playing or by the splendid musicians he has either trained or led. …
The bill was introduced in the house of representatives by J.H. Stimson, the member from this (Page) county, and in the senate by H.I. Foskett, the senator from this (Page-Fremont) district, both of whom worked ably for its passage, and both of whom are entitled to the highest commendation in connection with their support of the measure … as it carried by an almost unanimous vote in both houses. It was also much helped by the influence of Gov. Nate E. Kendall in its favor, who strongly endorsed it.
The major’s own statement is, “I am content to know that I have been instrumental in giving Iowa a music law, which will mean much to our coming generations, educationally, socially and morally.”
— Clarinda Journal, March 31, 1921
2 are attending bandmaster meet
Major George W. Landers and J.D. Palmer are in Sioux City three days this week attending the state bandmasters association annual convention. … On Tuesday evening [Landers] will conduct the massed bands as they play “Iowa Band Law” march written by Karl King and dedicated to Major Landers.
— Clarinda Herald-Journal, June 7, 1937
The complete public-domain “Iowa Band Law March” is available from this site (direct PDF with short bio of King). The Our Iowa Heritage blog has a long entry about King. Here’s a recording of the “Iowa Band Law March” on YouTube. This march, unlike King’s “Barnum and Bailey’s Favorite” or anything by John Philip Sousa, does not hate clarinets.
On July 1, 2024, the law honored by one of America’s greatest march-writers will be history. It’s one of many purpose-specific property tax referendums that has been rolled into a general fund levy, with caps on that levy. This happened with the same “property tax reform” law that affected timing of school bond issues.
The Iowa Band Law is dead. May the bands play on.