The Damascus Shrine Band
By Frank Russell, Band Director
Damascus Shrine was known for many years throughout the country for having an outstanding band. About 1994 it underwent a hiatus that lasted 16 years. In mid 2009, then Potentate Bruce Chilton asked Noble Frank Russell to put together a band for our Temple. Frank undertook the project and today has a nucleus of 26 experienced bandsmen. The band continues to look for additional musicians. Frank urges all of you to contact any Shriner Mason or Blue Lodge Mason who might be a potential member. If you know someone who would be an asset to the band and is not yet a Mason, encourage him to apply to his local Lodge and become a Brother. The bandsmen provide their own instrument, except for sousaphones and percussion.
The band plays for formal and informal events at the Temple. For some of the informal events, the band invites family members of the musicians as well as the Ladies of our sister Masonic organizations to play with the band. Frank is aware that bandsmen have family and employment concerns that have to be considered. Plans are in the works for the band to present a program, to include the Shrine Clowns, several times a year throughout our area as a fund raiser for the Shriner Children’s Hospitals. It has been asked to play on August 7 as part of the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Sunday afternoon concert series. From a time standpoint, the band tries to maintain a schedule that averages about once a month for a commitment.
While the band plays some standard marches, it also plays patriotic songs, songs of our military services and some standard old time familiar songs. The band is there to support the Damascus Temple and for its members to have fun and be there to play what it plays well. It has even been known to play “The First Noel” in the off season.
Anyone interested in joining the band should contact Noble Frank Russell (315-331-7621) or call the Damascus Shrine Center (585-671-7701).