Kappa Kappa Psi - Alpha Chapter

Oklahoma State University

Serving the OSU Bands and Striving for the Highest Since 1919

History Snippets

Snippet #16 - "National Summer Band Camp" by Scott Squyers, excerpt taken from the May 13, 1933 issue of The Baton.

Steve Nelson:  "The following is taken from the May 13, 1933 issue of The Baton and it poses quite a mystery.  The article announces the formation of a national summer band camp, to be held at the Platt National Park, near Sulphur, Oklahoma (now called the Chickasaw National Recreation Area). Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any additional information to find out what happened.  I have no idea if this actually took place,  or was cancelled.

    By the way, one thing that I do like about the Baton articles in general is the general spirit of optimism and fraternal spirit that they contain.  I hope that you agree!"

From "Editorials", by Scott Squyres, National Executive Secretary

[....]

    The greatest thing we have attained and which will succeed is the Summer Band School at Platt National Park, adjoining the City of Sulphur, Oklahoma.  We have studied carefully this whole plan and have the heartiest cooperation of the band world's greatest musicians in making this the one shining star of achievement for our Fraternity.

    Brother Fillmore [Henry Fillmore] is cooperating with us in every way possible and will make an effort to be at the school as a guest conductor.  Brother Frank Simon is also enthusiastically behind us in this great endeavor and will lend us all assistance possible for him to lend and will also come to be with us in making it a bigger success.  Brother William J. Stannard of the United States Army Band and our good Brother Branson of the United States Marine Band are likewise back of us on this project.  The whole thing is intended and meant to help build greater and finer bands in colleges, municipalities and wherever a band is needed throughout the country.  No one expects to make any profit from this endeavor and the small sums required to carry on will be economically handled in order that the school will grow in greater proportions as the years come on.

    Kappa Kappa Psi has the one great opportunity to accomplish something no other organization has ever been able to do.  We know we will succeed because the purpose is clear, worthwhile and uplifting and will be beneficial to everyone.  This is a new idea for our Fraternity but we have an interesting message from our good Brother Herbert L. Clarke enthusiastically praising us for this splendid endeavor.  He tells us that our Brother John Phillip Sousa planned to sart such a school in 1904.  Since Brother Sousa was so wholeheartedly behind Kappa Kappa Psi we feel that it will be to an extent in memory of him and the great work that he accomplished.  Brother Clarke will help us in every way possible and will come to the school and help us dedicate it to the cause of band music at his first opportunity.

[....]