A concert will be given by Marra’s City band next Monday night in the auditorium of the Cooper street school. The concert is part of a movement to gain recognition and support of the public for the band.

The band, under the direction of James Marra, has been putting forth every effort to offer the best of band music to the people of Watertown. The organization, numbering - 35 members, has full instrumentation. Members of the band have practiced until it is one of the best organizations of its kind in northern New York for both indoor and outdoor concerts and parades.

There is much agitation on the part of members of the band and their friends for some adequate place for band concerts during the summer months. Every other small town and village in this vicinity, they say, supports a musical organization, which offers concerts each week in the summer. These towns appropriate moneys for the support of the band. The members of the band, some place for concerts should be obtained here and that the public and city should support the organization. Mr. Marra, director of the band, said today that the organizations would be willing to play for concerts here every week if some place could be obtained for them.

James Marra took charge of the band about 16 years ago. It was then called the Watertown City band. During these years he has worked for the betterment of the organization and has always striven to train the members for concert work. In a large degree he has been successful in this effort toward concert work. Thjs band has met with varying support during the past few years. It is the opinion of many people that it should be given better support for if the organization is not supported here, it must necessarily go out of town for its work.

Practice has been the keynote of Mr. Marra’s success with the band. During the past winter the members have rehearsed frequently and will continue t do so after the summer season starts.

Some time ago the band was organized and officers were elected. The officers are William Hunt, president; George Green, secretary; James Marra, manager and director; Robert Scott, treasurer.

Note: A photo of James Marra was included in the clipping. This article was dated May 6, 1926. Posted on this site May 4, 2005.