ABU BEKR ORIENTAL BAND· HISTORY
The Abu Bekr Oriental Band meets on the First Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m at the temple. Membership in the Oriental Band is open to all members of Abu Bekr Temple in good standing and annual membership for new members are waived for the first year. The Abu Bekr Oriental band was organized in 1935 with nineteen charter members. Very soon after it's incepti
on, the band grew to over thirty members, and by the early 1940's, the band had well over forty members. Through the 90's and the early 2000's, the bands membership dropped to about ten active. However, recently, the band has begun to rebuild and currently has fifteen active members and continues to grow. The unique style of the Oriental Band's uniform is that of an "Eastern-Style" costume with the baggy pantaloons, sleeveless bolero, cumberbund with a tasseled down, and the Fez. The music for this band is as unique as the costuming. The horn section is made up of silver horns known as "Chinese Musettes". The rest of the band is made up of percussion instruments that include: Bass drums, Tom-Toms, Cymbals, Tambourines, and a Gong. The Oriental Band Director also has a unique way in which he directs the band. Instead of using a Baton or a Drum Major's Mace, he wields a large Scimitar. Longevity has been a big part of the band over the years. We have had several of our members who have been active for well over fifty years. Currently we have three active members who are sixty year members in the Shrine. The Oriental Band is the only unit in the Shrine that, with their costuming and music, directly compliments the Shrine's Middle Eastern theme. We provide colorful entertainment to parades, ceremonials, and other events throughout the year. We also participate in competitions with other Oriental bands at the Midwest and Central States Shrine Conventions. We hold social activities throughout the year that have included: dances, yard parties, ballyhoos, dinners, etc. Oriental Band Officers
President: Al Fagan
Vice-President Chris Twiford
Secretary/Scribe: Andrew Gerodias
Director: Andrew Gerodias
Treasure: Tom Austin
Quartermaster Bob Taylor
