El Dorado Springs has a municipal band that plays in the summer months in the downtown park. The band was formed in 1885 or 1886. The first band director was a man named C. V. Mickey. The band he formed was named the “Wonder City Rube Band.”

The band played at first without a bandstand. The first bandstand was built in 1887. The funding came from a voter-approved issue for $3,000 for park improvements. The first bandstand was a two-story open-air structure with elaborate lattice work. The band played from the second floor. The bandstand was located slightly north and east of the current bandstand close to the spring.

In 1899, Professor A. M. Henry became the band director. He extended the band season to a five-month schedule from four months. The band became known as “Henry’s Park Band.” In 1901, a new bandstand was built. This bandstand was a single-story structure in the shape of an octagon. The band also got new uniforms for its ten members.

The band played a prominent role in early El Dorado Springs. It provided entertainment to those gathering in the park, both to natives and out of town visitors. The band played at many special events such as the first train arrival in El Dorado Springs in 1898 and escorting the first automobile through town in 1908. The band also played out of town acting as a goodwill ambassador for the community.

Despite sending several band members to World War I, the band continued to play on. Women first played in the band in 1919. In 1925 band director D. I. Netherow formed an all-women’s band called the “American Maiden’s Band.”

Up to this point in time, the band had been supported solely through private donations. Supporters of the band believed that a modest property tax would be the best way to support the band since the entire community benefited.

In 1928, State Senator Snodgrass introduced a bill in the legislature to authorize a property tax in communities, if approved by voters, for the support of a municipal band. The legislation passed. In 1929, El Dorado Springs voters approved the local band tax. Many communities in Missouri established municipal bands. As you visit many small communities today, you will notice many still have their bandstands in their downtowns or park areas. Even though there are still a lot of bandstands in the state, there are only a small handful of cities still levying the tax for an active band.

In 1937, the third and current bandstand was completed. This structure is round in shape. Its base is built with sandstone rock. Julian Richards designed it and H. W. Schwalm did the masonry work. To make it a community project, people were invited to bring rocks to be used in the construction of the base.

The municipal band played through World War II. It also survived a petition to abolish the band tax in 1960.

In 1966, Judge W.W. Sunderwirth took over as band director. He served as band director until 1979. He was the longest-serving band director. His wife, Lillian, managed the band until her death in June 2010 at the age of 99. Miss Lillian, as she was affectionately referred to, organized the music for each band concert. Her love and devotion to the band remains unparalleled.

Gary Hardison became the director in 1980 and is still serving in that capacity. The band still plays concerts during the months of June, July and August. Each Friday and Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m.

Directors