A Little Coal City Band History

http://www.coalcity.lib.il.us/coalmining/pages/coalcity/somerville.html

"Mr. William Somerville was an accomplished musician, specializing on clarinet. He devoted considerable time to organizing and directing the Coal City Marine Band which became a leading musical group in this area for many years. He was also a member of the Pullman Marine Band and a guest soloist with John Sousa's famous band on several occasions."

All band directors across the US give out the John Phillip Sousa Award every Spring to one band member who excels in leadership, dedication and musicianship. John Phillip Sousa's work in one of the main reasons that we have have band programs in schools and communities. It is amazing to think of this Coal City connection to that time in history.