John Kopecky, Clear Lake’s music man wore many hats. He was an accomplished musician, a talented instructor, a director and the father of Band Festival.
That’s right, Band Festival is still going strong in Mason City but its roots are in Clear Lake.
In August of 1932 there were 13 bands marching through the streets of Clear Lake. Bands from Garner, Kensett, Thornton, Northwood, Belmond, Osage, Kanawha, Sheffield, Waverly, Clarion, Plymouth and Manly joined our Clear Lake band in performing for the crowds. And it was crowded! 20,000 spectators were estimated to be enjoying the parade.
The comedy band “Herr Louie from Hungry Hallow” had people laughing uproariously. The grand finale of 350 musicians made music on the stage built specifically for them in the west end of City Park.
Bands Festival continued to grow for the next 5 years, becoming so large it was moved to Mason City. John Kopecky was still a large part of the Festival. One year he directed 4 bands from Clear Lake and Ventura. John was good friends with Meredith Wilson of The Music Man fame. The year the film opened, several of the stars attended Band Fest. Arthur Godfrey, Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, and Meredith Wilson have all participated in the Festival.
In the 100 years he lived, John Kopecky taught Clear Lake student musicians for over 20 years, directed various groups for even longer, founded the Drum and Bugle Corps of elementary students, and began Band Festival. Hats off to the leader of the band!
The poster advertising Clear Lake’s Band Festival, the photo of John Kopecky in 1948, the photo of the first Clear Lake High School marching band in 1934, and the photo of the 1931 municipal band are all from the CLPL History Collection.
