Updates From the Centre County Historical Society

The Docents' Diary
by Mary Osborn

A recent visit with mansion docent and Master Gardener Bonnie Waite Walter began with an enjoyable cup of tea, scrumptious poppy seed muffins, and her absorbing recollection of a remarkable experience - being a member of The Bellefonte American Legion Jr. Band.

Comprised of young people from the entire central PA area, ages 10 to 21, the Bellefonte American Legion Jr. Band was under the direction of Mr. Olin F. Butt from 1939 to 1963. He attended Penn State University, was first-chair clarinetist and manager of the Blue Band, and graduated in 1936 with a degree in music education. A gifted musician, he also played in the PSU Symphony Orchestra and was a member of Kappa Gamma Psi, the music fraternity. He was an Army musician from 1942 to 1946, and later opened the Music Mart in Bellefonte and State College. Olin Butt committed his life to music education and the musical development of his young students.

His young students, like Bonnie at age 11, began with lessons and were in the "pre-band" or Saturday Morning Band until they were skilled enough to join the "big band" as they affectionately called the Legion's Jr. Band. But don't let the term "Jr." bamboozle you - Bonnie proudly explained that during Mr. Butt's tenure, the band won 23 consecutive state band championships and five national championships! This was one of the finest bands in the state, filled with well-trained, well-disciplined young musicians performing at very high levels. Some of its members moved on to musical careers, the Blue Band, the Keystonaires Dance Band (also created by Mr. Butt), and one even played with Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, and Les Elgart.

Bonnie often wondered what she and her friends would do if they didn't have the band. All she cared about was her music and the activities related to it. Lessons and practices were complemented by marching in holiday parades, performing at area carnivals, and organizing fundraising sock hops sponsored by the Legionettes. And, of course, drilling for state and national competitions played a huge role in everyone's life. Bonnie mastered the clarinet, moved to first-chair clarinet, and with Mr. Butt's urging, she earned the position of drum major. Dressed in an all white uniform, she was responsible for leading the band to many state championships. She fondly recalls that when competing at state and national competitions, the band would lodge for free at military bases. While on base, the young musicians from central PA were expected to follow military protocol for everything from rigid dining to stretched-tight bed-making.

Bonnie recognizes that although the musical aspects of her early education were evident, much of her learning during that time centered on rigorous self-discipline, concentration, organization, structure and achievement – attributes that have helped guide her throughout her life. She is very proud to be an alumna of the Bellefonte American Legion Jr. Band and to own Mr. Butt's professional clarinet, which she enjoys playing and is proud to display on her piano. Mr. Olin F. Butt was a "Musicians' Musician," the man who led the band that exceeded "Par Excellence."